Microsoft has revealed its two starter consoles for its latest entry in the console market. However, it can be confusing figuring out which one you should get. Should you buy an Xbox Series X or an Xbox Series S?
Let’s break down both of these consoles and which one is perfect for you.
But First, a Note About the Xbox One X/S
Before we dive into the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, we need to clear up a source of confusion for many first-time buyers.
Microsoft has another range of consoles called the Xbox One X and Xbox One S. These are from the generation before the Series X and Series S. As such, if you’re looking for the newest and best Xbox console, you need to avoid the Xbox One consoles.
This may seem obvious, but when the Xbox Series X opened for pre-orders, Xbox One X sales also spiked, as reported by IGN. Instead of pre-ordering the next-gen Xbox console, these poor buyers re-bought the console they likely already had.
As such, when you choose between the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S, make sure you’re not buying the old consoles by accident.
To ensure you don’t fall in the same trap, remember that the Xbox One X/S is the first entry in the X/S range—the “number one.” The Xbox Series X/S continues the “series” as a next-gen console, so they’re better than Xbox One consoles.
What’s the Difference Between the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S?
Now that you know which console range you should buy, the question still remains: should you buy an Xbox Series X or an Xbox Series S?
Which Console Is Most Powerful?
The Xbox Series X is the most powerful console of the two. Both of them use a Custom Zen 2 CPU with eight cores, but the Xbox Series X runs it at 3.8Ghz and the Xbox Series S at 3.6Ghz.
The gap gets even wider when you look at the graphical power of both consoles. The Xbox Series X can manage twelve TFLOPs, while the Xbox Series S can only manage four. This means the Xbox Series X can achieve 4K resolution, while the Xbox Series S can only go for 1440p.
Finally, the Xbox Series X has 16GB of RAM, while the Series S only has 10GB. As such, if you want raw power, there’s only one choice for you.
The Winner: Xbox Series X
Which Console Has More Storage Space?
The Xbox Series X also has more storage space than the Series S. The Xbox Series X can hold 1TB of data, while the Series S can only manage 512GB.
It’s worth noting, however, that both consoles use an SSD. As such, regardless of which console you do pick, you’ll get lightning-fast load times.
The Winner: Xbox Series X
Which Console Is Best for Backwards Compatibility?
Xbox fans have enjoyed playing old Xbox games on their newer consoles, and the Xbox Series X and S are no different. The Xbox Series X and S will feature amazing backward compatibility, so you need not worry about either console’s ability to replay the classics.
However, there’s one caveat that’s important for those who love replaying their old library. The Xbox Series S is designed to be download-only, so it doesn’t have a disc drive. This means you can’t open up an old game case and put your CD in the console.
The Xbox Series X, however, has a Blu-Ray optical drive. This means that you can put in any supported game disc, and your console will recognize it.
The Winner: Xbox Series X
Which Console Is Cheapest?
The Xbox Series S has had a tough time until now, so it’s only fair that it comes in at a lower price point.
Pre-order ? September 22
Worldwide launch in 36 countries ? November 10
Hype ? 9000+
(don’t worry – we’ll let you know the exact time pre-orders start for you soon) pic.twitter.com/SLUrrtszyN
— Xbox (@Xbox) September 17, 2020
In Microsoft’s console pre-order announcement, the company revealed that you could pick up an Xbox Series S for a cool $ 299. This is a lot cheaper than the $ 499 price tag on the Xbox Series X.
The Winner: Xbox Series S
Which Console Is Smallest?
Having a super-powerful console is all well and good, but it’s all for naught if you can’t find the right place to put it. If you don’t have a lot of room for a console, you might want to consider an Xbox Series S.
The Xbox Series X comes in at 5.9 x 5.9 x 11.8 inches. Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S loses a lot in the width department and comes in at 2.6 x 5.9 x 10.8 inches. This makes the Xbox Series X the smallest Xbox console yet.
The Winner: Xbox Series S
Which Console Is Best for You?
As you can see from the above points, the Xbox Series S doesn’t have a lot going for it versus its bigger brother. However, that doesn’t mean that you should count out the Xbox Series S entirely.
The main draw of the Xbox Series S is its price point. It’s just over half the price of a Series X, which by itself makes it a huge draw for people who can’t or won’t spend a lot on a gaming console.
As such, if you want to keep up with the latest next-gen releases, but you’re not fond of shelling out a lot, the Xbox Series S is your best choice. It may not show games at their utmost best, but if you don’t have a 4K screen, you may not even care.
However, the moment that graphic fidelity and backward compatibility becomes a factor in the equation, you owe it to yourself to shell out for the Xbox Series X. The Series X does a lot more than the Series S in pretty much every way, as long as you can afford the price tag.
Clearing Up the Differences Between the Xbox Series X and Series S
The Xbox Series X and Series S may be in the same generation, but they’re two very different beasts. Now you know the differences between the two and which one is best for your needs.
If you’ve decided on the Xbox Series X, but you’re still a little unsure about buying one, it’s worth asking more questions about it. That way, you’ll know that you put your hard-earned money to fair use when you do buy one.
