Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: What's the difference?

 


(Pocket-lint) - There's an Xbox Series X, but it's not the only new Xbox open. With some main variations, the Xbox Series S is a cheaper, all-digital version.

That's why we have put together a helpful guide to help you determine which is the best Xbox for you next-gen.

Design

  • Xbox Series X: Black finish, black controller, 301 x 151 x 151mm, 4.5kgs
  • Xbox Series S: White finish, white controller, 275 x 150 x 64mm, 1.9kgs
Perhaps shockingly, Xbox's two next-generation consoles look nothing alike.

Xbox Series X is a monolithic machine beast, ideally built to stand vertically - but can lay horizontally - and only available in black with some green outlined openings on the top grille.

Meanwhile, the Series S looks more like the previous Xbox One S - it also has a similar grille on the end (when horizontal). However, Xbox has opted to make the grille black and the console white, making it look like a loudspeaker when it's standing on its end.

Processing and graphics

  • Both consoles: Custom AMD Zen 2 eight-core processor
  • Xbox Series X: 3.8GHz CPU, 16GB GDDR6 RAM, 12 TFLOPS GPU (52 CUs at 1.825GHz)
  • Xbox Series S: 3.6GHz CPU, 10GB GDDR6 RAM, 4 TFLOPS GPU (20 CUs at 1.565GHz)
A custom AMD Zen 2 eight-core processor is powered by both the Xbox Series X and Series S, but the Series X CPU can run at 3.8GHz per core (3.6GHz with multi-threading) and the Series S at 36GHz (3.4GHz with multi-threading).

With the Series X sporting 12 TFLOPS (52CUs at 1.825GHz) of RDNA 2 graphics power, they vary even more significantly in graphics processing. There will be 4 TFLOPS (20CUs at 1.565GHz) of RDNA 2 graphics in Sequence S.

The amount of RAM varies across machines as well. There is 16GB of GDDR6 RAM on the flagship console, while its stablemate has 10GB.

Both support Ray tracing, but while the Series X will natively run games at a 4K resolution, the Series S will initially be locked at 1440p (with 4K plausible later down the line). Both consoles run native games at 60fps, but they are capable of up to 120fps, usually by lowering the resolution.

However, the Series S supports variable refresh rates (VRR) and shading even with its lower-spec.

Storage

  • Xbox Series X: 1TB internal SSD, 3x USB 3.1 ports
  • Xbox Series S: 512GB internal SSD, 3 x USB 3.1 ports
  • Both consoles: Storage Expansion Card slot
Both have an SSD for quicker load times in terms of storage and the rest of the skills that solid-state drives (SSD) can bring. They also each support the quick resume function of Xbox, which can pause up to six games or so at a time, allowing users to go where they left off or switch between them immediately.

The Series X comes with an internal SSD of 1TB, plus support for USB 3.1.

In contrast, to hold costs down, the Series S has a smaller 512GB SSD. That will give it the same super-fast loading times and other features, but we are a bit worried about the space given that most games are up to 100 GB in size everywhere these days. Some, such as Call of Duty: Warzone, are even larger.

The Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X/S, as it is called, both consoles have an expansion slot for an extra, proprietary 1TB drive, which acts like the internal SSD, supporting all those next-gen features, and fast resume.

Both consoles will support USB 3.0 external drives (and above) - but they will not work with the internal/Storage Expansion Card's faster loading times or enable any Xbox Series X/S game optimizations. Up to three external hard drives can be attached to you at once.

Controller

  • Both consoles: 1x AA-battery powered controller included
  • Both consoles: Also compatible with Xbox One controllers
The Xbox Series X ships with a new Xbox Wireless Controller and the one with the Series S is no different - just a different colour. More about the latest gamepad can be found here: Xbox Series X Controller: All you need to know.

It is also available separately for purchase and also fits with legacy Xbox One consoles.

With both new consoles, both Xbox One controllers work too.

Games and accessories

  • Both consoles: Backwards compatible with Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games
  • Both consoles: Also compatible with all Xbox One accessories
Both Xbox games - Xbox One, Xbox Original, or Xbox 360 - can operate through the entire console family. Those that require Kinect would be the only exceptions.

This includes Series X and Series S, with the "Optimized for Xbox Series X/S" banner for games with improved graphics and other platform skills.

For both Series S and X, Microsoft's game library subscription service, Xbox Game Pass, is available, with EA Play now added to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, providing a very persuasive subscription service.

On the new consoles, all Xbox One accessories and headsets will work.

Home entertainment

  • Both consoles: Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), HDR (high dynamic range), Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos
  • Xbox Series X: 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray drive
  • Xbox Series S: No drive, digital only
The Series S does not have a physical disc drive. The Series X (like the current One X and One S) features a 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray drive for both games and movie playback.

For video and gaming, they all support HDR, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos (the first consoles to have Dolby Vision gaming support). However, for Dolby Vision games to begin to appear, we will have to wait until 2021. Dolby Vision is planned to be introduced to the Xbox Series X 4K Blu-ray playback at about the same time - it's not available at launch.

Price and availability

  • Both consoles available globally 10 November 2020
  • Xbox Series X launch price: £449 / $499 / €499
  • Xbox Series S launch price: £249 / $299 / €299
Here's the big one. For that extra strength and punch, the Xbox Series X costs £ 449 / $499. It's £ 249 / $ 299 for the Xbox Series S.

Also, on the Xbox All Access monthly payment plan, you can buy either console. For a low monthly charge, it includes the console and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Conclusion

For Microsoft, it makes perfect sense to launch two consoles at two price points, just as it did in the past. Having reviewed both, however - the Series X here, the Series S here - our feeling is that the X is the real next-gen powerhouse, with the most storage, that will fire when it gets the chance on all cylinders. The Series S, meanwhile, could find its location, but a deal breaker might be its resolution drop and half the storage space.

It must also be said that it is an exciting, jam-packed conclusion to the strangest year in recent history, with two versions of the PlayStation 5 also here.


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