Are you a console gamer? Or are you buying a present for the console gamer in your life? If your older consoles can’t handle the latest games, an XBOX Series X or the Series S is a great upgrade.
Both consoles play the same games, old and new, support Game Pass and its extensive library and work with the same XBOX gaming accessories, so it boils down to which XBOX console works best with your TV, your budget and how you play.
Here we’ll break down the differences between the XBOX Series X and the XBOX Series S.
What are the differences between the XBOX Series X and Series S?
The XBOX Series X is more powerful, designed for heavy gamers who need a minimum of 60 frames per second. The XBOX Series S is more compact console, ideal for casual gamers who are happy to just play digitally.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the XBOX Series X|S consoles:
| Feature | XBOX Series X | XBOX Series S |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | 12 TFLOPS | 4 TFLOPS |
| CPU | 8-core AMD Zen 2 @ 3.8GHz | 8-core AMD Zen 2 @ 3.6GHz |
| RAM | 16GB GDDR6 | 10GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | 1TB SSD | 512GB SSD |
| Disc Drive | Yes (4K UHD Blu-Ray) | No (Digital only) |
| Resolution | Native 4K | Up to 1440p (Upscaled to 4K) |
| Price Range | Higher | Budget-friendly |
XBOX Series X and Series S specs explained
The XBOX Series X is the more powerful of the two consoles. It has a stronger GPU and more RAM to push more pixels and maintain a higher frame rate while keeping game play smooth. Whereas the Series S just doesn’t have the same level of GPU, which is why it’s more budget friendly.
Both consoles have advanced features like ray tracing to make the lighting and shadows look lifelike. The resolution on the Series S is optimised for up to 1440p in comparison to the Series X which is optimised for 4K
Storage on the XBOX Series consoles
Did you know the average XBOX video game can range from 30GB to 60GB? Some games can even take up to a whopping 200GB so depending on the games you play, the more storage space the better! The Series X boasts a 1TB SSD, while you can choose from either 512GB or 1TB of storage with the Series S. Thankfully both consoles support expandable storage.
Disc drives on the Series X|S consoles
One of the biggest differences between the XBOX Series S and Series X is the disc drive. The XBOX Series S is a digital-only console, so you’ll be downloading all your games, which makes Game Pass a great shout for gaming on this console. The Series X in comparison supports discs with its 4K UHD Blu-Ray disc drive – although you can also get a XBOX Series X Digital Edition. Looking for a game to test the power of the XBOX Series X? Pick up the disc copy of Forza Horizon 6 to get the full Series X experience.
Design of the Series X|S consoles
The XBOX Series S is smaller, lighter and generally more compact than the Series X. This makes it ideal if you’re tight on space. The Series X is substantially larger – 2.25 times the width of the Series S! Both consoles can stand upright or on their side so they can fit into whatever space you have for your new console.
Which XBOX console is better for you?
If you’re a casual gamer who’s happy to play digital games only, or want something more budget friendly, the XBOX Series S is a brilliant console. It easily slots into any space and is still packing with plenty of gaming power and technology.
Or, if you prefer physical video games, want the best visuals and processing power, then the XBOX Series X is worth the extra spend. It’s also built for 4K native gaming and high frame rates so you can make the most of the console’s power and your 4K TV.
You can learn more about XBOX on our gaming buying guide.
