Microsoft has been a steadfast competitor in the console wars for decades, with Sony’s PlayStation serving as their main rival. The Xbox series has been in production since 1996, when the first Xbox console was released. The most recent models are the Xbox Series X/S.
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S were both released at the same time, with the latter being the more affordable model with inferior hardware and performance. Continue reading to learn more about their specifications and features.
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The Xbox Series X
The Xbox Series X currently holds the title of “ultimate Xbox console.” The Xbox Series X’s game is speed and power, so you can expect it to load games quickly. It’s almost as if you’re playing on a high-end gaming PC.
Here are some critical specifications:
- AMD Zen 2 processor with eight cores and a processing speed of 3.8 GHz.
- AMD RDNA 2 GPU, which can achieve 12 teraflops and runs at 1.8 GHz.
- 16 GB RAM
- 1TB of storage space
- 4K60FPS resolution, with a maximum of 8K120FPS.
You’ll need enough space to store the components with these specifications, and the cuboid console has a relatively large housing. However, despite its density, it is not excessively so, allowing you to carry it around if necessary. It can be oriented vertically or horizontally, with the former being preferable for cooling.
Because the Xbox Series X can output at 8K resolution, you’ll need at least a 4K monitor to enjoy games in their entirety. Unfortunately, 8K is quite expensive, so few players opt for it.
These monitors use the Xbox Series X’s HDMI 2.1 port, allowing for a theoretical maximum resolution of 8K120FPS.
Two USB 3.1 ports, an Ethernet port, and a proprietary PCle SSD expansion are also available.
Performance
Microsoft and Xbox recognize that many gamers today prefer graphically intensive and impressive titles, so the Xbox Series X was created to meet these expectations. Most of the time, depending on the game, you can expect 4K60FPS video output. These resolutions are only possible due to the GPU’s 12 teraflops.
Some games, such as Gears of War 5, have been fully optimized for the Xbox Series X, allowing them to run at 4K60FPS with little difficulty. When there is a lot of action on the screen, the developers compromise between resolution and framerate, lowering the resolution to 1440p (2K resolution). As a result, you can enjoy a consistent 60FPS in most gameplay scenarios.
This “dynamic resolution” means that the console does not always provide a 4K60FPS or higher experience. Regardless, you enjoy cutting-edge graphics, especially if the title supports the appropriate resolution.
Gears of War 5 can even reach 4K120FPS, though this will necessitate the use of a powerful monitor to accommodate the additional performance.
Other games that haven’t been fully optimized for the Xbox Series X may achieve 4K resolution but not a 60Hz refresh rate. Red Dead Redemption 2 is one example, which runs at 4K30FPS. However, if Rockstar decides to release a console update, you should be able to play it at higher framerates.
In addition, the Xbox Series X loads games at least twice as fast as the Xbox One. The Xbox One X takes nearly a minute and a half to load large open-world titles like Red Dead Redemption, but the Series X can take you from the main menu to saving a file in 38 seconds.
Backward compatibility is another feature shared by the Series X and the Series S. It can run older titles at higher graphical settings, so if it’s optimized, your favorite Xbox 360 title may benefit. Even unoptimized games have extremely fast loading times and no frame drops. Even if they are not running at 4K60FPS, they can benefit from the boost.
Both consoles also have Quick Resume, an innovation that allows you to run multiple games at once and quickly switch between them. You won’t have to restart games this way, and it works even after you turn off the console. The disadvantages include a general lack of games that support this feature, as well as the occasional crash. Still, Quick Resume appears to be promising, and Microsoft intends to improve it.
Overall, the Xbox Series X is a powerful gaming workhorse that pushes console gaming to new heights. Its game library is also steadily growing.
S-Series Xbox
The Xbox Series S is the best option for those who do not want to play video games at 4K resolutions. It still supports many of the same games as the Series X and has the same backward compatibility. Despite its lower price, the console does not disappoint – in its class.
Series S technical specifications:
- AMD Zen 2 processor with eight cores and a processing speed of 3.8 GHz.
- AMD RDNA 2 GPU with four teraflops and a clock speed of 1.6 GHz
- 10 GB RAM
- 512GB of storage space
- Resolution 1440p60FPS, maximum 1440p120FPS
Even though 1080p gaming is still the industry standard, it is gradually becoming obsolete. 1440p or 2K gaming is also becoming more affordable, as the prices of many mobile phones and 2K monitors fall. As a result, you won’t have to spend any extra money on your Series S setup.
The Series S is a smaller console than its big brother, thanks in part to the lack of a Blu-ray drive. You’ll need extra storage space as a digital-only console, which is available via a 1TB hard drive extension.
Microsoft calls this the smallest Xbox ever, a testament to the company’s cutting-edge technologies. Despite its small size, the Series S has a powerful cooling system that runs quietly.
Aside from the power port, the ports include three USB 3.1 ports, an Ethernet port, and an HDMI 2.1 port. In this regard, it is similar to the Series X.
Many games will run at 2K60FPS thanks to the GPU, with only a few older ones reaching 2K120FPS. The performance of a game is heavily influenced by its optimization and age, as newer games are more demanding.
Performance
Some games are designed specifically for the Series X/S consoles, and these titles allow the Series S consoles to shine. Games will look stunning and perform admirably when compared to the more expensive console. The textures are beautiful and clear, with little loss, so you won’t notice a significant difference.
It’s reassuring to see the Xbox Series S display games without sacrificing too much performance. Framerates typically remain at 60FPS or 120FPS if supported. Colors, darkness, and finer details, on the other hand, aren’t always well represented.
For a console at this price point, the Series S has excellent output and efficiency. It may be small, but when compared to superior consoles, it packs a powerful punch.
Loading times on the Series S are slightly slower than on the Series X, but the differences aren’t significant enough to warrant a complaint. It’s only in seconds, which are insignificant.
In comparison to the Xbox One, the Series S has better lighting, framerates, and textures than its predecessor.
A Fascinating Rumor
There have recently been rumors that the Xbox Series S will receive a hidden upgrade, though we don’t know when this will occur. According to the report, Microsoft plans to give the console a smaller chip with increased power efficiency. Aside from this, nothing else is known at this time.
It’s not uncommon for consoles to receive upgrades like this after their initial release. Since 2017, the Nintendo Switch has received two upgrades. The PS5 has received a new heatsink but no other changes.
The Nintendo Switch OLED only has some quality of life improvements and a new screen, with no increased processing power or GPU specs. However, Nintendo will almost certainly release a “Switch Pro” or “Switch 2” in the coming years.
Before you get too excited, keep in mind that while a new Xbox Series X with an improved chipset is possible, it’s also possible that it won’t offer much improvement.
However, a leak claims that a stronger Xbox Series S will be released in 2022, with a 6nm AMD Zen APU and 50% faster speeds. It will not replace the original Series S, but will serve as a bridge between the two.
The same leak promises a more powerful Series X in 2023, but it’s unclear how much of an upgrade there will be.
Battle of the Consoles
Gamers frequently compare the Xbox Series X to the PlayStation 5. The two console lines have been competing for years and don’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon. While the Series X/S are the most recent models, a new variant may be on the way.
What features would you like to see on a potential new Xbox Series X model? Do you believe the console will have a Pro version? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.