It ’s been more than four class since the Xbox Series X and Series S first landed in stores in November 2020 . The question is : Which one should you bribe in 2025 ?
The two Xbox consoles share likewise boxy design , launch on the same date and launch the same UI , but this is where the similarity end . From the price to the spec to some cardinal design detail , there are quite a few differences you need to turn over before locate on either theXbox Series XorSeries S. It really is n’t as simple as tell you need to buy an Xbox – you postulate to know exactly what you want from your console , along with how much you ’re uncoerced to spend .
Whether you ’re picking out a console table for yourself or as a gift for your child , pardner or whomever else , keep reading to instruct all the major differences between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S establish on our experiences with each console table .
We ’d also urge visiting our guides to thePS5 vs Xbox Series XandPS5 vs Xbox Series Sif you ’re stuck between the latestPlayStationand either Xbox console .
Xbox Series X vs S price
The 1 TB Xbox Series X launched in November 2020 for $ 499/£499 before experience a monetary value hike in the UK in 2024 which film the terms up to £ 479 . Meanwhile , the 2 TB theoretical account will set you back $ 599.99/£549.99 .
In 2024 , Microsoft announced the Xbox Series X Digital Edition , which reduces the cost to $ 449/£429 by take aside the disc driving . The Digital Edition is still more powerful than the Series S , retaining the top - end cabinet ’s native 4 yard support and carrying out .
The Xbox Series S is the brassy of the two consoles , cost $ 299/£249 for 512 GB of storage . We ’ve even seen the console drop as low as £ 199.99 on Amazon UK , making it a tantalising option for anyone on a budget , though it lacks the 4 K financial support and physical disk drive included with the Series X. There ’s also a 1 TB version of the console that costs $ 349.99/£299.99 .
Xbox Series X vs S design
The Xbox Series X sportsman one of the most improper cabinet designs we ’ve seen in tenner , resembling a traditional microcomputer far more than anything else on the market right now . To be honest , it ’s a welcome variety , even if some players might have trouble fitting it under their telly .
Given the size of this gambling monolith , the Xbox Series S is a much small involvement count its deficiency of phonograph record drive and proportional power in equivalence . It is 60 % smaller than the Xbox Series X , and it is approximately two and a half controllers tall in term of summit . It ’s a small yet herculean small animate being and should be much soft to accommodate under your television .
The Series S has a single USB port wine on the front alongside a small clit for syncing controllers and other peripheral . Perhaps the most striking part of the design is the large black vent on the chassis , which is strange .
Microsoft has also launched a newer all - contraband version of the Xbox Series S with a larger 1 TB hard driving force , offering players a little more choice in term of colour . The more expensive Series X is still only uncommitted in black , while the Series X Digital Edition comes in all - snowy .
victor : Xbox Series S
Xbox Series X vs S specs
We ’ve hoard the full comparison of technological specifications for the Xbox Series X and Series S below . You ’ll find that some features are rather uniform , with the biggest disconnection coming in the GPU performance . System memory also shares a rather big difference , although 10 GB is nothing to be sniff at .
Our own testing shows that the Xbox Series S usually offers a 1440p operation , but has dropped down to Full HD for specially demanding games . There ’s no doubt that games on the Xbox Series X look well better , with more item and a sharp range of a function .
We ’ve noticed that both console have struggled to runray tracingin the vast majority of sustain games , although you ’ve bewilder even less prospect of it work with smooth performance on the Series S console .
On the bright side , there does n’t seem to be a major difference in SSD velocity . Both console are exceedingly firm at debase up games , so you need n’t vex about the performance downgrade here when opting for the Xbox Series S.
Winner : Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X vs S features
Aside from the deviation in technical specs , the essence experience across Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are almost monovular with features like Quick Resume and profligate burden metre enable by the SSD both being supported . The latter can fluctuate across both systems according to our testing , though the general consensus is that each console is incredibly tight regardless of the departure in power .
The SSD entrepot of both consoles can be upgrade by purchase bespoke elaboration cards from the likes of Seagate and Western Digital , although these can be fairly expensive .
However , the Xbox Series X has a much more powerful GPU that in turning deport near visuals than what you ’ll get from the Xbox Series S. In testing , that translate to not only sound quality textures and gamey resolutions , but you also get the choice between performance and caliber modality on the more powerful console to further dial in the sort of experience you need .
The other big difference between the consoles is the disc movement , or rather the absence of one on the Xbox Series S and Series X Digital Edition . If you choose for the inexpensive Xbox , you ’ll have to be pendant on the digital store and will be ineffectual to expend discount pre - owned games . You also wo n’t be able to pour movies from Blu - ray discs , as you may on the Series X.
Xbox Series X vs S games
The Xbox Series X and Series S can play the exact same games , meaning that you wo n’t be prevented from play forward-looking games if you do prefer for the more low-priced console .
rearward compatibilityplays a Brobdingnagian role in the new coevals of consoles , with Microsoft tolerate at the forefront thanks to its effectuation ofXbox Game PassandXbox Play Anywhere . A number ofXbox 360and original Xbox titles are already playable and enhanced on Xbox One , all of which will be playable on the new series of car .
The “ optimised enhancements ” you have for sure games will differ bet on the console you ’re play on , too . Games will still receive ample improvements , but they will always peak at 1440p and a sure grade of performance , likely because the HP but ca n’t compete with its older sibling .
You also need to rememberXbox Smart Delivery , which grants you the same game across all platform regardless of where it ’s purchased . This includes all of your saves , accomplishment and other important information that might be associated with on-line and serviced - based deed . cyber-terrorist 2077,Assassin ’s Creed ValhallaandYakuza : Like a Dragonare just some of the games confirmed to support it .
in conclusion , it ’s deserving remark that both consoles sustain Microsoft ’s Xbox Game Pass monthly subscription serve . This give you access to a huge library of pop titles for a located price .
Xbox Series X vs S verdict
Ultimately , the Xbox Series X and Series S are both fantastic console table , but your choice will calculate on what precisely you ’re looking for . If you ’re not looking to game in 4 yard and do n’t take care the deficiency of a forcible disk ride , the Xbox Series S is a very easy recommendation .
The Xbox Series X is appealing for a lot of grounds , but it does descend with a much large price . Supported games can hunt in 4 K – offer that you also have a 4 K monitor / tv set to pair it with . If you do want to play Starfield and Forza Motorsport in 4 K with all the bells and whistling , the Xbox Series X is the console for you .
