Differences Between Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S
If you’re thinking about upgrading to a last-gen console and buying a new Xbox, you’ll have some important decisions to make. Apart from bundles, accessories and all that, the most important decision you’ll have to make is between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. They’re both great machines, but depending on your gaming habits, budget and a few other factors, one of these will probably be the best choice for you.
Design and price
The style and price of both of these cars are very different. And while they both use Microsoft’s latest Xbox architecture, sometimes you need to find something that matches the aesthetics of your home while also offering you great performance for the price.
Xbox Series X , available for $499.99, is definitely the larger of the two consoles. Its original version drew many comparisons to modern refrigerators, and that is still true today. It’s a beast of a machine that takes up a lot of space thanks to its large, vertical design. If you have a lot of dark-colored furniture and objects in your home, then this black gaming console is perfect.
If you want something a little cheaper and smaller, the Xbox Series S is a great little machine. It’s white in color and more reminiscent of the older consoles we’re used to, although it has a much more compact design. The Xbox Series S costs $299.99 if you choose the 512GB storage option, or $349.99 for the 1TB option.
Both devices fit into almost any decor, but if you want something smaller, the Series S is definitely the way to go. Both of these consoles also go on sale quite often, so you should be able to find them at least somewhat discounted.
Another important aspect to keep in mind is that the Xbox Series S is a digital-only console. So, if you’re planning on purchasing physical game discs, the Xbox Series X is your only real option.
Performance and Storage
Now it’s time to talk about what matters most: performance. While the Xbox Series X and Series S are very similar in many ways, the two devices are very different in their approach to performance and storage. The Xbox Series X is the more powerful of the two, and this shows due to the more advanced hardware it comes with.
Here are the specs for each console:
Xbox series X
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Processor: Custom Zen 2, 8-core, 3.8 GHz
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GPU: AMD RDNA 2, 12 teraflops, 1.8 GHz
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RAM: 16 GB
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Storage: 1 TB
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Target display: 4K, 60fps
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Maximum display: 8K, 120 fps
Xbox Series S
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Processor: Custom Zen 2, 8-core, 3.8 GHz
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GPU: AMD RDNA 2.4 teraflops, 1.6 GHz
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RAM: 10 GB
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Memory: 512 GB / 1 TB
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Target display: 1440p, 60fps
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Maximum display: 1440p, 120 fps
As you can see, these consoles have the same CPUs and GPUs. However, they have different capabilities, which means you’ll get different levels of performance depending on what you choose.
Memory is also a really important factor to consider, but no device skimps here. I don’t recommend using the 512GB version of the Xbox Series S solely because gaming is getting pretty mainstream these days. But even if you choose this version, you can always purchase an Xbox storage expansion card , such as the officially licensed Seagate option. They offer memory cards in 1TB and 2TB capacities, so you can expand your storage significantly.
Choosing the best Xbox for you
However, beyond the specs and design, both of these Xbox consoles will provide very similar experiences. They use the same controllers and the same user interface and even offer you the same library of games. So how do you choose between them?
Well, obviously a lot depends on how much you have to spend right now. Unless it’s Black Friday or some other sale, you’ll be spending at least $350 on one of these consoles, and that’s before you even include any games in that estimate. Games can often cost $60-$70, so you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for that as well.
If you plan on playing a lot of indie games or have a 1080P monitor and don’t plan on upgrading to 4K anytime soon, then the Xbox Series S will do everything you need and will look great in your room while it’s on does. It’s the perfect console for gamers who don’t need all the features of the Xbox Series X, but still want access to their Xbox library on their TV.
If you have the space for it or don’t mind spending the extra money, then the Xbox Series X is the best Xbox money can buy. It’s a beast in both design and performance, and its expandable memory makes it a console that will keep you gaming for years to come. It’s also the only Xbox with a disc drive, so physical game collectors should keep that in mind as well.
You can buy an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S on Amazon for $499.99 and $299.99 (or $349.99 for upgraded storage), respectively.