Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S – Which Console Should I Buy?
Are you dying to buy an Xbox but don’t know which model to go for? MeinMMO explains the similarities and differences between Xbox Series X vs S.
If you want to buy an Xbox, you have to choose either an Xbox Series X or an Xbox Series S. But which console is worth the most for me?
MeinMMO explains the similarities and differences between the two Xbox consoles and tells you what you need to consider when buying.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: Looks, Design and Build
What does the Xbox Series X look like? The Xbox Series X comes in plain black and is a rectangular cuboid. The Xbox Series X does not have any other special design features. At 4.4 kg, the console is around 100 grams lighter than the PS5.
What does the Series S look like? In contrast to the Series X, Microsoft uses a white design with black accents for the Xbox Series S. At 1.9 kg, the console is significantly lighter than the Xbox Series X (4.4 kg) or the PS5 (4.5 kg). The Xbox Series S is the smallest next-gen console in terms of dimensions and weight. Microsoft even says the Xbox Series S will be 60% smaller than the Series X.
Dimensions and weights of PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S in comparison:
| Unit | Xbox Series X | PlayStation 5 | PlayStation 5 digital | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| measures in cm | 30.1 x 15.1 x 15.1 | 39×10.4×26 | 39×9.2×26 | 27.5×6.5×15.1 |
| weight | 4.4kg | 4.5kg | 3.9kg | 1.9kg |
Xbox Series X vs S: Specs and Hardware
What does the Xbox Series X offer? An AMD processor with a graphics chip is installed in the Xbox Series X. The processor clocks at 3.8 GHz and the graphics chip has a raw performance of 12 teraflops. There is also 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD with a write speed of 2.4 GB/s. The Xbox Series X supports both Full HD, WQHD, 4K and 8K resolutions.
What does the Xbox Series S offer? An AMD processor is also installed in the Xbox Series X. The CPU clocks slightly slower than in the Series X and the graphics chip is also slightly slower. A smaller SSD is also installed in the Series S (512 GB instead of 1 TB). The smaller hard drive of the Series S is not bad at all, as Microsoft had explained.
There are also two other important differences:
- The Xbox Series S offers you a maximum resolution of WQHD. You can use 4K, but it’s not “real” 4K like the Series X.
- There is no BluRay drive installed in the Xbox Series X. So you can’t use disc games or watch BluRays.
What do both consoles offer? You can play all current Xbox games and use the Xbox Game Pass on both consoles. Both consoles also offer hardware rac tracing, which makes the games look even better. Backwards compatibility with the old Xbox consoles is also included with both consoles.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series X in comparison:
| Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S | |
|---|---|---|
| processor (CPU) | AMD Zen 2 (8 cores, 3.8 GHz) | AMD Zen 2 (8 cores, 3.6 GHz) |
| graphics card (GPU) | AMD RDNA2 at 1845Mhz | AMD RDNA2 with 1,565 Mhz |
| Graphics chip performance (GPU) | 12 teraflops | 4 teraflops |
| disk space | 1TB SSD (2.4GB/s) | 512GB SSD (2.4GB/s) |
| random access memory (R.A.M) | 16GB GDDR6 | 16GB GDDR6 |
| frame rate | up to 120 Hz, variable rate shading | up to 120 Hz, variable refresh rate |
| resolution | up to 4K (native or upscaled), support for 8K | Up to 1440p at 60 FPS, up to 120 FPS possible. 4K upscaling |
Xbox Series X vs S: Which games?
What games can you play on the Xbox Series X? You can play all the current top titles on the Xbox Series X. You can also subscribe to Game Pass, giving you access to hundreds more games. With a trick you can also save a lot of money with the Xbox Game Pass.
In addition, you can also use old Xbox 360 and Xbox One game discs with the Xbox Series X. Thanks to backwards compatibility, the Xbox supports almost all games from older Xbox generations.
What games can play on the Xbox Series S? On the Xbox Series X you can also play all the current top titles and also have access to the Game Pass. But you have to do without performance and you can play your games in WQHD resolution at most.
Because the Series S doesn’t have a disc drive, you can’t use your old games from older consoles. If you want to use the backwards compatibility of the Xbox on the Series S and play old Xbox 360 games on the Series S, then you must have bought them digitally.
Another disadvantage compared to the Series X: If you start Xbox One games on the console, you will only be able to play them in Full HD resolution (1080p) and not in higher resolutions of up to 4K, as the Xbox Series X offers.
Xbox Series X vs S: price of the consoles
How much does the Xbox Series X cost? The Xbox Series X currently costs 499 euros. The Xbox Series X comes with an “Xbox Series X” console, a controller, an HDMI cable, and a power cord.
How much does the Xbox Series S cost? The Xbox Series S currently costs 299 euros. The Xbox Series S comes with an “Xbox Series S” console, a controller, an HDMI cable, and a power cord. You can now get the console for 270 euros.
What is special? However, you can also buy the Xbox consoles as a subscription with the Xbox Game Pass. Here you pay 24.99 euros (Xbox Series S) or 32.99 euros (Xbox Series X) per month for 24 months instead of the full price.
MeinMMO explains to you exactly how Xbox All Access works and whether the offer is worth it.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: Which console is better for me?
This speaks for the Xbox Series X: On paper, the Xbox Series X is currently the fastest console on the market. If you want the fastest console with 4K resolution and BluRay drive, then there is no way around the Xbox Series X. If you have a large game collection on disc or many films on BluRay, then the Series X should also be the better alternative for you.
This speaks for the Xbox Series S: The Xbox Series S is currently the cheapest next-gen console at around 280 euros. It is particularly suitable for gamers who do not care about 4K and do not want to invest in a 4K television in the near future.
Compared to the Xbox Series X, the Series S is also suitable for people who have already bought an Xbox Series X or PS5 and are looking for a second console for their bedroom or children’s room. You can also find comprehensive purchase advice for the Xbox Series S here on MeinMMO:
We’ll tell you who should buy an Xbox Series S
Xbox or rather PS5? Do you want to buy a PS5 or Xbox, but don’t know which console to get? MeinMMO explains in a detailed guide what the two consoles offer and which one is most suitable for you:
PS5 vs Xbox Series X – Which Console Should I Buy?
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