Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: as inventory of Microsoft's new consoles slowly trickles into retailers palms, it is a query that is sure to crop up extra over the approaching months and years. Nevertheless, regardless that the 2 Xbox consoles have extremely related names and similar sport libraries, there is a huge distinction by way of what they're able to. It is vital, then, that what every of them can do earlier than you make a purchase order.
Selecting which of the 2 Xbox consoles is best for you will most likely come down to some key questions that solely you'll be able to reply: how a lot are you prepared to spend on next-gen {hardware}? Do you want a disc drive? Do you thoughts if the console renders video games in native 4K, or is upscaled 4K ok? Lastly, how a lot cupboard space do you want for video games?
After writing our Xbox Series X evaluate and Xbox Series S evaluate, we are able to authoritatively communicate concerning the strengths and weaknesses of each consoles and assist you determine which of the 2 makes extra sense to your setup and your finances. Each consoles have their deserves, however if you'd like the best possible, the Xbox Series X is the clear winner; nonetheless, do not write the Xbox Series S off simply but.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: key variations
In case you solely stroll away with three key variations in thoughts, let or not it's these: the Xbox Series X has a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive that is able to taking part in bodily video games and flicks whereas the Xbox Series S doesn't; the Xbox Series X has a big 1TB SSD that may retailer, on common, round 16 video games whereas the Xbox Series S has a 512GB SSD that solely shops round 4 to 5; and the Xbox Series X renders video games in native 4K at 60 frames-per-second, whereas the Xbox Series S targets 1440p.
In any other case, each can have the identical person interface, the identical controller and the identical Xbox Velocity Structure that allows options like Fast Resume. Each have the identical media apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and extra, and extra importantly, each can play precisely the identical video games.
Extra individuals appear drawn to the ability of the Xbox Series X from what we have seen to date, however that is to not low cost the benefits of the extra reasonably priced mannequin. Each work nicely and each can serve a distinct viewers.
Let's break them down even additional.
First up is the Xbox Series X, Microsoft’s flagship console that’s able to 4K graphics and guarantees to be probably the most highly effective console ever made. On paper the specs are very spectacular, and it has a singular, tower-style design that we’ve by no means seen from a console producer earlier than. It prices a reasonably penny, although, at $499 / £449 / AU$749, the identical value because the PS5, which releases 2-9 days later relying on the place you reside.
The Xbox Series S is way extra reasonably priced, nonetheless, albeit a much less highly effective various for shoppers to think about. It’s digital-only, so that you’ll be on the mercy of the Microsoft Retailer for any purchases you make. It launched alongside the Xbox Series X.
Microsoft can be hoping to make use of the enchantment of Xbox Recreation Go, its Netflix-like subscription service (which now additionally contains EA Play), and Venture xCloud, that lets players stream video games from the cloud. It seems to be like it's going to disrupt the market, with a value level that's geared toward those that are prepared to compromise on energy for a significantly better value.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S value
The Xbox Series X prices $499 / £449 / AU$749 and launched on November 10, 2020. The console is filled with cutting-edge expertise, and goes head-to-head with the PS5, which additionally prices $499. The value level could also be too costly for some, but it surely places the Xbox Series X in a powerful place to compete with Sony’s {hardware}.
The Xbox Series S value is simply $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499, which is decrease than nearly all of analysts and trade insiders predicted. With the Xbox Series X retails for $499, a $200 saving can be very interesting to the extra cost-conscious client.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S specs
The Xbox Series X is a beast on paper, and paints an thrilling image for the potential of next-gen gaming. {Here}’s what’s contained in the diminutive tower of energy:
- CPU: Eight-core 3.8GHz (3.6GHz with SMT) customized AMD 7nm
- GPU: 12 teraflops 1.825GHz (locked)
- RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Body price: As much as 120 fps
- Decision: As much as 8K
- Optical: HD Blu-Ray disk drive
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
With a 12 teraflop GPU able to as much as 120 frames per second, the Xbox Series X is twice as highly effective because the Xbox One X, Microsoft’s present flagship console. It helps varied thrilling next-gen options similar to ray tracing, variable price shading and even help for 8K decision.
The Xbox Series X makes the wait when booting up video games or loading new ranges a factor of the previous because of its customized super-fast NVMe SSD. The SSD is a part of the console’s new Velocity Structure, which permits a number of video games to be suspended within the background when you’re taking part in one thing fully totally different. Every part is extra responsive and snappier in consequence, too.
Microsoft additionally hopes to make latency a factor of the previous on Xbox Series X. Ahead-thinking options similar to Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), communication enhancements to the Xbox controller, and Variable Refresh Price (VRR) help will take full benefit of TVs with HDMI 2.1 help.
As compared, that is what we all know concerning the Xbox Series S specs to date:
- CPU: Eight-core 3.6GHz (3.4GHz with SMT) customized AMD 7nm
- GPU: 4 teraflops at 1.550GHz
- RAM: 10GB GDDR6
- Body price: As much as 120 fps
- Decision: 1440p with 4K upscaling
- Optical: No disk drive
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
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The Xbox Series S packs a variety of energy for such a small field. The console targets a decision of 1440p as a substitute of native 4K (some video games do help native 4K, although), and is able to 120fps gaming. It has an nearly similar CPU to the Xbox Series X, however the GPU is significantly much less highly effective, and it comes with 10GB of GDDR6 RAM as a substitute of 16GB.
That may sound like a giant compromise on paper, however keep in mind the Xbox Series S is focusing on 1440p/60fps as a substitute of 4K/60fps. This implies it wants much less energy to succeed in its pixel depend, however it may well nonetheless ship all of the next-gen options Microsoft is specializing in like ray tracing and 120fps.
There’s no disk drive, after all, and the storage is nearly halved in comparison with the Xbox Series X. That’s admittedly regarding for a digital-only mannequin, however Microsoft can be hoping individuals benefit from Venture xCloud which entails no downloads in any respect as sport’s are streamed from Microsoft’s distant information servers.
The storage of each consoles could be expanded, nonetheless. Microsoft is promoting a 1TB proprietary growth card that plugs into the again of the console. Xbox One video games will also be saved on an ordinary exterior onerous drive to assist unlock house.
The Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X will even help Spatial Sound, together with Dolby Atmos, and Dolby Imaginative and prescient through streaming media apps at launch. Dolby Imaginative and prescient help for gaming will even come first to next-gen Xbox consoles in 2021.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S video games
So {here}’s what you could know: each the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are in a position to play precisely the identical video games, though they’ll undoubtedly look finest on Xbox Series X.
The sort of compromises we anticipate to see on Xbox Series S will give attention to the drop to 1440p decision from 4K, and perhaps some extra minor adjustments that most likely received’t be as noticeable. Each consoles are rumored to incorporate the identical eight-core 2.3GHz customized AMD CPU.
{Here}’s a listing of video games which have been confirmed for Xbox Series X and, by default, Xbox Series S:
Each consoles provide full backwards-compatibility with Xbox One, Xbox 360 and unique Xbox video games, too. So even when the next-gen video games aren’t flowing at launch, you’ll have loads to play, notably when you've got a big library of titles already. In case you personal a variety of bodily copies, although, be aware that these received’t work on Xbox Series S because of the lack of disc drive.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S verdict
Microsoft could also be onto one thing {here}. By providing two consoles that concentrate on totally different audiences, shoppers finally have extra selection and extra methods to enter into the Xbox ecosystem. If solely the very best will do, decide up an Xbox Series X, however be ready to pay a premium. Need to enter the subsequent era with out breaking the financial institution? The Xbox Series S is a implausible entry level, and one with a critically tempting value.
Microsoft appears to have created two interesting iterations of its console, with out one showing much less engaging than the opposite. Crucially, it's going to now be capable to struggle the PS5 on two fronts: value and efficiency. The Xbox Series S prices considerably lower than the PS5, and whereas the Xbox Series X could price the identical because the PS5, it is extra highly effective... no less than, on paper.
By creating an argument for Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S, Microsoft has primarily performed its finest to show shoppers’ heads the place it may not have performed so have been it a straight struggle between Xbox Series X and PS5. And that’s absolutely a win for Xbox as an entire.
