The Latest Microsoft Xbox Series Consoles

The Latest Microsoft Xbox Series Consoles

The gaming world continues to evolve. Microsoft remains at the forefront with its powerful Xbox Series consoles. Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X. Since their release in late 2020, both consoles have gained popularity and frequent updates making them still highly relevant in 2025. Whether you are a competitive player or a casual gamer choosing between the Series S & Series X depends on your performance needs, budget and gaming habits.

Let’s dive into a detailed comparison of these consoles, looking at features, storage, performance & more.

Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X – detailed Comparison Table:

Feature Xbox Series X Xbox Series S
Price (USD) $599 $399
Target Resolution Native 4K (2160p) 1440p (Upscaled to 4K)
Frame Rate Up to 120 FPS Up to 120 FPS
GPU Power 12 Teraflops 4 Teraflops
CPU 8-core AMD Zen 2 @ 3.8 GHz 8-core AMD Zen 2 @ 3.6 GHz
Storage 1TB NVMe SSD (expandable) 512GB NVMe SSD (expandable)
Disc Drive Yes – 4K UHD Blu-ray No – Digital-only
Ray Tracing Yes Yes
Backward Compatibility Yes (Xbox One, 360, Original Xbox) Yes (Same as Series X)
Design Larger, tower style Smaller compact
Color Black White

Performance and Gaming Experience:

Xbox Series S while less powerful is still a next gen console in every sense. It targets 1440p resolution, which is great for most modern TVs and supports many of the same enhancements like fast loading, high frame rates and DirectX ray tracing. It’s ideal for gamers who don’t need 4K or prefer digital only libraries.

Xbox Series X is the more powerful of the two built for gamers who demand the best possible performance. With its 12-teraflop GPU. It can handle native 4K gaming at high frame rates and features lightning fast load times thanks to its custom SSD. Games like Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5 and Starfield look stunning on this console with rich detail, real time ray tracing and smooth frame rates.

Storage & Expandability:

Storage is a key difference. The Series X includes a 1TB SSD while the Series S only has 512GB. With modern AAA titles often exceeding 100GB in size storage can fill up quickly. Fortunately, both consoles support Seagate’s proprietary expansion cards & external USB 3.1 drives for backward compatible games.

Game Library & Services:

Both consoles access the same game ecosystem including:

  • Game Pass Ultimate: Subscription service with access to 99+ games.
  • Xbox Play Anywhere: Buy once play on console and PC.
  • Cloud Gaming Beta: Stream games via Xbox Cloud on supported devices.
  • Smart Delivery: Automatically downloads the best version of a game for your console.

Microsoft’s Game Pass has become a major selling point, offering titles like Elder Scrolls, FIFA, Minecraft Legends and Hellblade II at no extra cost.

Pros and Cons Breakdown:

Xbox Series S:

Pros:

  • Affordable entry into next gen gaming
  • Compact & light weight
  • Plays the same games as Series X
  • Quiet and energy efficient

Cons:

  • No disc drive (digital-only)
  • Lower internal storage (512GB)
  • Less graphical power (no true 4K)

Xbox Series X:

Pros:

  • True 4K gaming with up to 120 FPS
  • Best in class performance among consoles
  • Physical disc drive (plays movies and older games)
  • More storage for large game libraries

Cons:

  • Expensive at $599
  • Large and heavy  not ideal for tight spaces
  • Higher power consumption

Who Should Buy Which Console?

If you are > Go for >
A hardcore gamer with a 4K TV setup Xbox Series X
A casual or budget conscious gamer Xbox Series S
Someone with a big physical game collection Xbox Series X
A digital only gamer with space limitations Xbox Series S
Interested in long term performance / future-proofing Xbox Series X

Final Verdict:

The Xbox Series S and Series X cater to two different types of gamers but both deliver impressive next gen performance. If you’re looking for raw power, 4K graphics and ample storage. The Xbox Series X is worth the investment. If you’re more price sensitive or don’t mind digital only gaming with slightly lower performance. The Xbox Series S is a fantastic value.

Whichever model you choose, you’ll benefit from Microsoft’s ecosystem, Game Pass and years of gaming support ahead.