The naming conventions for Microsoft’s Xbox consoles are. . . A decade later, Microsoft continues to maintain the culture with Xbox Series X and Series S, two rugged gaming machines from its brand’s current generation of consoles.
Names aside, neither console will disappoint those buying a new console who are put off by the value of Sony’s PlayStation 5. Here are all the differences between the Series X and its smaller, less expensive counterpart, the Series S:
For starters, the Xbox Series X is a big boy. Weighing about 10 pounds and measuring about a foot, this monster is rarely a one-size-fits-all choice for everyone’s gaming setup. One of the few spaces where the Series S shines is size, and if you take a look at the dimensions indexed through Xbox below, you’ll see that the Series S is particularly smaller:
Xbox Series X: 11. 9 x 5. 9 x 5. 9-inches, 9. 8 pounds
Xbox Series S: 10. 8 x 5. 9 x 2. 6-inches and 4. 3 pounds
From a design standpoint, the X-Series stands out with its solid, upright black casing that at first glance looks like a speaker. In addition, the console has an optical disc that does not exist on the Series S.
The S-series is smaller and has a slimmer profile. Thankfully, both consoles use the same controllers, so beyond the differences in design and performance, you don’t have to spend extra to make sure you have the right remote for gaming.
It also makes sense to note that, thanks to recent leaks, the Series X will receive a digital-only redesign at the end of 2024.
Despite having the same processors, the clearest difference between the X and S series, besides the design, is in performance. The Series X’s hardware is up to its size, as this console monster has higher RAM, storage, and local 4K. Capabilities. The Series S has 4K upscaling and HDR, but that’s nothing compared to a console that’s fully capable of producing 8K. In our review of the Series S, the console can simply be described as “a streaming box capable of blockbuster gambling”.
Still, with the value of the S-series, it still looks wonderful on TV and comes with limited ray tracing support. So it’s still a smart cost for cash, even if it doesn’t perform as well as the X-series. it offers sleek gaming experiences, but if you’re looking for something high-end, the Series X offers three times the processing power of the Series S.
You can refer to the specifications below to check it out for yourself:
Xbox Series X: 8-core Zen 2 processor, 12 teraflops GPU, 4K/8K 120fps, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage
Xbox Series S: 8-core Zen 2 processor, teraflops GPU, 1080p 60/120fps, 10GB RAM, 512GB/1TB storage
The S-Series is inferior to the X-Series in many ways, which boosts performance. But one of the few things it excels at is the price. Simply put, the Series X will only charge you $299. Compare that to the Series X, which costs $499.
At this price point, the Series S is ideal for tight budgets and modest entertainment setups where the difference between 4K and 1080p doesn’t matter as long as the game looks smart on the TV. And for a natural price, if you’re looking to save money ahead of the holiday season, you’ll get a great price with the Series S for just $299.
Chance Townsend, who currently lives in Austin, Texas, is an associate editor at Mashable. She holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of North Texas and most of her master’s degree is primarily focused on online communities, dating apps, and professional wrestling.
In his spare time, he is an avid cook, loves to sleep, and “loves” watching the Lions and Pistons break his heart every week. If you have any stories or recipes that might interest you, you can reach him via email at [email protected].