Xbox One X vs Series S: What Xbox Console Should YXbox One X vs Series Sou Buy?
Hardware, gaming performance, backward compatibility, design, and price are all factors that come into play when choosing between the Xbox One X and Xbox One X vs Series S.
Xbox Series X vs. One X vs. Series S: A Quick Overview
So before we get into the details, we’ll take a quick look at the specs and how both of these handsets check out in the market.
Xbox One X
The Xbox One X was released in November 2017 and hailed at that time as the most powerful console available on the market. While it’s part of the Xbox One family, it has much higher performance and graphics hardware than its predecessors, the original Xbox One and Xbox One S.
Processor: 8-core custom AMD CPU 2.3GHz
Graphics: 6 teraflops of graphical power (AMD GPU)
RAM: 12GB GDDR5
Storage: 1TB HDD (hard disk drive)
Resolution: Decoding for 4K Ultra HD gaming (max 60 fps)
Backward Compatibility: Play Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games
Xbox Series S
The Xbox Series S is the most affordable system in the latest generation of Xbox family consoles launching in November 2020. It’s a more compact and budget friendly option than its big brother the Xbox Series X. It’s aimed at gamers who want to experience the might of next gen gaming at a more affordable price.
Processor: 8 core custom AMD CPU at 3.6GHz 3.4GHz with SMT
GPU Graphics Power: 4 Teraflops (AMD RDNA 2 GPU)
RAM: 10GB GDDR6
Storage: 512GB SSD (solid-state drive)
Resolution: 1440p native, output 4K (up to 120 fps)
Backward Compatibility: No; Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games are supported
The Series S is also faster, with quicker load times, ray tracing support, and access to Xbox Game Pass, making it an attractive option for gamers who don’t necessarily need the full 4K experience or are simply on a budget.
H2: Xbox One X vs Series S — Major Differences
So if you’re wondering what is what, here are the differences between Xbox One X and Xbox Series S.
Performance and Graphics
Xbox One X: The Xbox One X is a beast in terms of performance, able to provide native 4K gaming. With 6 teraflops of graphical processing time, it’s best for gamers that desire the very best level of visible fidelity out there on the Xbox One family.
Xbox Series S: The Series S provides 4K upscaling but lacks native 4K capabilities which the One X can handle. Instead Series S targets a resolution of 1440p and can provide smooth gameplay at up to 120 fps. The Series S leverages a newer RDNA 2 GPU that supports ray tracing offering significantly better lighting effects than the original Xbox One X’s GPU.
Storage
Xbox One X: The Xbox One X comes with a 1TB hard drive providing plenty of room for a massive game library. However, while HDDs are a lot slower than SSDs and may lead to longer load times.
Xbox Series S:
The Series S features a 512GB SSD which massively speeds up load times and general performance. Because SSDs are much faster than HDDs this results in a more dynamic and seamless gaming feel.
Backward Compatibility
Compatible games: Xbox One X plays compatible Xbox 360, Xbox One, and original Xbox games. A lot of these titles have the One X to thank for them running at higher resolutions and better performance.
Xbox Series S: The Series S is backward compatible with Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games; it just makes use of the speed and efficiency of the SSD.
Design and Build
Xbox One S | Xbox One S: The Xbox One S has a more compact and minimalist design, which takes up less space in entertainment centers. Even though it is large, it feels sleek and premium.
Xbox Series S: The Series S is slimline and austere. This small footprint makes it a great choice for players with limited space or those who want a more discreet console setup. The Series S also features a futuristic white chassis with a black fan grill.
Price
Xbox One X: The Xbox One X was a high-performance console that came with a price tag of $499 at launch. But now, newer models such as the Series X and Series S are grabbing all the attention, so you might just find the older model at a lower price today.
Xbox Series S: The Series S is the budget version at launch, atg a very affordable price of $299 aimed at gamers who would like to experience the next-gen gaming at a lower price point.
What Can You Expect from My Gaming Experience?
Regarding the actual gaming experience, both consoles perform well, but they are suited for different types of gamers.
Xbox One X: Those who are most locked into an ecosystem and own a 4K TV or plan to own one will want the very best visual fidelity; the One X is the answer. That means games on the One X will be played at higher resolutions and smoother frame rates than on older Xbox models.
Xbox Series S: The Series S is a box for gamers who crave faster load times and have the possibility of ray tracing and a small footprint. It might not pump out genuine 4K graphics, but it does a solid job of providing a great time for 1440p and 1080p screens.
A major advantage of both consoles is access to Xbox Game Pass, which is a game-changer for players wanting to pay a subscription fee in return for access to a massive library of games.
X- Xbox Game Pass: Everything A Game-Changer
And, similar to the Xbox One X vs Series S supports Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription service that offers access to hundreds of games from various genres. As long as you get the Xbox One X or the Series S, you enjoy the benefits of Xbox Game Pass, meaning these are attractive consoles.
Game Pass allows you to play the latest Microsoft Studios games, including Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, and Gears 5, and hundreds of other games for a monthly subscription fee.
FAQs: All Your Questions on Xbox One X vs Series S
1: Does the Xbox Series S outperform the Xbox One X?
The Xbox Series S is newer and has faster load times thanks to an SSD and supports ray tracing, but it doesn’t offer native 4K gaming as the Xbox One X does; if you want performance and 4K above all, the One X may be the better bet.
2: Question 2: Does the Xbox Series S play Xbox One X games?
The Xbox Series S is compatible with Xbox One X titles yes, but these titles will not be upscaled into 4K when played on the Series S they will run at 1440p resolution instead, for lhigherframe rates.
3: Can you game in 4K on the Xbox Series S?
Although the Series S can upscale to 4K, it lacks native 4K gaming capabilities similar to the One X so it’s meant to run more at 1440p resolution up to 120 fps.
4: Is the Xbox One X dead?
Great news for Xbox fans: Microsoft has confirmed that the Xbox One X is being phased out as the company tightens its grip on the next generation with the Series X and Series S.
5: Is getting the Xbox One X vs Series S better in 2025?
You might find it at a good price, and if you’re looking for a 4K gaming experience it can still be a worthy option. That said, for future proofing and quicker load times, the Series S is the better overall package.
6: What are the price differences between Xbox One X and Series S?
The Xbox Series S itself is extremely inexpensive at the launch price of about 299 bucks, whereas the Xbox One X had a 499 dollar launch price.
Conclusion
If you want 4K gaming and just can’t resist a high-powered console at a low price, the Xbox One X is a no-brainer. In contrast, the Xbox Series S is a perfect candidate for gamers seeking next-gen performance, speeds, and features like ray tracing — all at an entry-level price.
The real takeaway is that, for now, both consoles are solid in their rights, but if you want a more future-proof setup, the Series S is the better device by nature of its faster SSD and modern features. It doesn’t matter whether you’re upgrading from an older Xbox console or buying your first — either console can keep you entertained for hours and access the massive Xbox Game Pass library.