The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S have a lot in common, but which is right for you?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Xbox Series X
US$459.99 at GameStop
US$479.99 at Amazon
US$649.99 at Amazon
The Xbox Series X is the most powerful game console currently available, featuring detailed graphics, fluid frame rates and rapid load times. The device also sports a fantastic game library, with backwards compatibility going all the way back to the original Xbox. With the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service, the Series X can be the centerpiece of a robust ecosystem.
Xbox Series S
US$329.99 at GameStop
US$454.99 at Amazon
US$454.99 at Amazon
The Xbox Series S is a smaller, sleeker console than the full-featured Xbox Series X. While it’s not quite as powerful as the Series X, the Series S has a nearly identical library, and is optimized to run games on 1080p or 1440p displays. It’s also considerably cheaper, making it an excellent starter console.
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are now completely current-generation systems. In addition to having strong game collections, they are now much more affordable to purchase than they were when they first came out more than four years ago. Heck, during annual sales events, you can even receive a discount on an Xbox Series system.
Naturally, not every player buys the newest hardware when it’s released, so some Xbox users are probably still debating whether to get an Xbox Series X or an Xbox Series S in order to get into the current console generation.
The Xbox Series X is a very powerful gaming device that resembles a small PC more than Xbox systems.
Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S on paper looks less powerful than the Xbox One X. But it uses newer chip architecture to deliver 1440p gaming for a price that’s around half that of its bigger sibling. There’s also a 1TB Xbox Series S available in black, which ramps up the price but offers double the SSD space, which is useful for modern games that seem to be constantly ballooning in install size.
Microsoft has confirmed three additional Xbox Series console models for 2024 launch, further complicating your decision. In addition to the Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition, which has an enormous amount of storage and a distinctive style, there is the all-digital Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S 1TB in Robot White.
You won’t be disappointed with either console; the Series X is best suited for those seeking true 4K power, while the Series S is a good option for those on a tight budget or those looking for a companion device to go along with their PS5 (though the Xbox exclusive library does not include many good games that aren’t on PlayStation).
But read on to see how the face-off between the Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S plays out and which would be best for you.
Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: Price
One of the few areas where the Xbox Series S excels over the Xbox Series X is affordability. The Xbox Series S costs $299, while the Series X costs $499. That’s it. (While prices change from nation to nation, the difference is generally the same.) We found the price of the 1TB Xbox Series X to be a bit too similar to that of the PS5 Digital Edition, at $349.
One could argue that the Xbox Series X is more worthy of its price, that “value” and “price” are not synonymous, or that the Xbox Series S may not be as beneficial over time. However, the Series S is now $200 less expensive than the flagship Xbox, and that might
Nevertheless, since both consoles are starting to go on sale now that they’ve been out for a few years, the pricing comparison is a little more difficult. The Xbox Series S has dropped steadily toward $200, with a lowest price of $239, while the Xbox Series X has dropped as low as $349. The pricing of the Series X becomes very appealing for all that added power if you can get it during a seasonal sales event.
Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: Performance
The Xbox Series X has a distinct hardware advantage over the Xbox Series S, while the former has a price advantage. Although the two systems share the same CPU, they differ in terms of RAM and storage (the Xbox Series S 1TB fixes the former discrepancy on the base models). The GPUs of the two consoles also differ significantly from one another. For a detailed comparison of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S specifications, refer to the chart below:It is hardly unexpected, given the Series X’s hardware, that the Xbox Series X outperformed the Xbox Series S in every test. Even though the Xbox Series S boasts HDR capabilities and 4K upscaling, it’s not quite the same as having a 4K display natively. The Xbox Series S offers far less ray-tracing capabilities than the Xbox Series X, which is compatible with a far smaller selection of titles. In optimized games, the Series X also boasts a significantly longer draw distance.
In terms of quality, the Xbox Series S runs smoothly and looks fantastic, even on 4K screens. The Series S is an easy sell if you have a 1080p TV or 1440p monitor and want to use it for a few more years. However, if
While the Xbox Series S is a fully digital console, the Xbox Series X also includes an integrated 4K Blu-ray player. This implies that the Xbox Series X has a significant advantage over the Series S if you own a lot of tangible media, like as movies, TV shows, or backwards-compatible games. While the Xbox Series S is a fully digital console, the Xbox Series X also includes an integrated 4K Blu-ray player. This implies that the Xbox Series X has a significant advantage over the Series S if you own a lot of tangible media, like as movies, TV shows, or backwards-compatible games.
Unquestionably, the Xbox Series X is a large console, measuring 11.9 x 5.9 x 5.9 inches and weighing 9.8 pounds. It is by no means guaranteed to fit in your entertainment center, especially if you would like it to be arranged horizontally.
The Xbox Series S excels in this situation. The little white console weighs only 4.3 pounds and measures about 10.8 x 5.9 x 2.6 inches. It has elegant black vents on top. It’s among the lightest and smallest consoles in a long time, and it fits neatly in an entertainment center or just on a dresser next to a TV. The Xbox Series S is lightweight and portable, making it easy to integrate into any configuration.
Because of this, the Xbox Series S is an excellent choice for a supplementary console in a bedroom, kid’s room, visitor room, etc. This is especially true if you utilize Xbox Game Pass Ultimate ($17 per month), as the majority of Xbox Series X/S games are also playable on PC and you can transfer your save data. However, we also understand that having just one console in the living room is a luxury and that getting another might be overkill.