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Microsoft announced three refreshed Xbox Series X|S configurations on June 9, 2024 for the 2024 holiday season: a 1TB Xbox Series S, a discless 1TB Xbox Series X, and a 2TB Xbox Series X special edition. They were not a new Xbox generation. As of August 2026, the original prices are historical, Microsoft has raised console prices, and the 2TB model is being sunset.
The right choice depends less on storage than on two questions: do you need a disc drive, and do you want Series X or Series S performance?
The three Xbox models Microsoft announced
| Model | Storage | Disc drive | Original U.S. estimated retail price | Status in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S 1TB Robot White | 1TB SSD | No | $349.99 | Check regional availability and current pricing |
| Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition | 1TB SSD | No | $449.99 | Still part of the 1TB price category; verify the live price |
| Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition | 2TB SSD | Yes | $599.99 | Microsoft announced it would sunset the model in 2026 |
Microsoft described these as additional design, storage and price options for the existing Xbox Series X|S family. The announcement was for select markets, and the 2TB special edition was offered in limited quantities. Regional product lineups, prices and remaining inventory can differ.
What each model offers
Xbox Series S 1TB Robot White
The 1TB Series S is an all-digital console with twice the advertised storage of the original 512GB Series S. Its main benefit is capacity, not speed: it uses the same general Series S performance profile rather than adding a faster processor or graphics chip.
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
Series S is designed around a 1440p output target, with upscaling to 4K where supported. Compatible games and displays can support frame rates of up to 120fps. Actual resolution and frame rate depend on the game, its settings and the display.
It is the sensible fit for a digital-only buyer who wants a compact console and does not require Series X-level graphics performance. However, large modern games can still consume substantial space, and the absence of a disc drive rules out physical games and disc-based backward compatibility.
Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition
The white Series X Digital Edition removes the optical drive but retains Series X-class hardware. It is not a lower-performance “Series S Pro.” Its 1TB custom SSD and Series X CPU and GPU target the same performance tier as other Series X configurations.
Microsoft positions Series X around native 4K gaming, with support for up to 120fps in supported experiences. Its hardware includes an eight-core custom Zen 2 CPU, a custom RDNA 2 GPU rated at 12 teraflops with 52 compute units, 16GB of GDDR6 memory and a custom NVMe SSD. See Microsoft’s Series X specifications for the current technical listing.
This model suits players who buy games digitally, use compatible subscription benefits, or have no physical Xbox collection. The trade-off is permanent: it cannot read Xbox game discs or 4K UHD Blu-ray discs.
Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition
The Galaxy Black Series X doubles the standard Series X storage to 2TB. It includes a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive, a celestial-themed Galaxy Black finish and a matching Xbox Wireless Controller.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
Its extra storage and special design do not make it faster. Microsoft said the 2TB model retained the same core Series X performance and features as the standard console. It was announced as a limited-quantity product in select markets.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWhat “discless” means
A discless Xbox has no optical drive. Games must be downloaded, redeemed with a digital code, or accessed through a digital subscription. It can play downloaded digital games and compatible digital backward-compatible titles, but it cannot verify ownership of a physical disc.
- Physical Xbox One and backward-compatible Xbox discs cannot be used.
- 4K UHD Blu-ray playback is unavailable.
- Used-game purchases, disc trading and many physical retail discounts are unavailable.
- Digital purchases linked to a Microsoft account remain available on compatible consoles.
On a disc-equipped Series X, a supported physical backward-compatible game still requires the disc to be inserted as the ownership check. Microsoft’s Series X product information explains the console’s disc and compatibility capabilities.
Digital sharing can also depend on Microsoft account and home-console settings, as well as the company’s current policies. Do not assume that a digital license works identically for every account or console.
Series S versus Series X
| Feature | Series S 512GB or 1TB | Series X Digital | Series X with disc drive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance tier | Series S | Series X | Series X |
| Resolution target | 1440p, with 4K upscaling | Native 4K-class Series X target | Native 4K-class Series X target |
| Storage options | 512GB or 1TB | 1TB | 1TB or 2TB special edition |
| Disc drive | No | No | Yes |
| Physical games | No | No | Yes |
| Best suited to | Budget digital gaming | Digital players wanting Series X performance | Physical media and maximum flexibility |
All models support Quick Resume, and compatible games can offer up to 120fps. The key distinction is that the 1TB Series S is a larger-capacity version of the lower-performance Series S, while the 1TB Digital Edition is a disc-free version of the more powerful Series X.
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Storage: capacity is not performance
A 1TB or 2TB drive gives you more room for installations; it does not provide a faster CPU, stronger GPU, higher frame rates, better ray tracing or a higher resolution than the console’s underlying hardware supports.
Rank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
Advertised capacities are raw storage tiers. The operating system and reserved system space reduce the amount available for games, so a “1TB” console does not provide a full 1,000GB of installable space.
Every Series X|S model supports official Storage Expansion Cards. These cards are designed to reproduce the internal SSD experience and are the appropriate high-speed option for Series-optimized games. USB external drives are useful for archiving games and running compatible older titles, but Series-optimized games generally need to run from the internal SSD or an expansion card for their intended performance. Microsoft explains the distinction in its storage expansion primer.
Before choosing a cheaper console and adding storage later, compare the combined cost with a higher-capacity model. An expansion card can substantially reduce or eliminate the initial saving.
Prices then versus current status
The three prices announced in 2024 were U.S. estimated retail prices:
- Series S 1TB Robot White: $349.99
- Series X 1TB Digital Edition: $449.99
- Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition: $599.99
Those figures applied to the 2024 holiday launch and should not be presented as current August 2026 MSRPs. Microsoft had already changed U.S. console pricing in October 2025. It then announced that, effective August 1, 2026, 512GB models would rise by $100 and 1TB models by $150 worldwide, while the 2TB model would be sunset. Microsoft attributed the latest change to rising storage and memory component costs; that is the company’s explanation, not an independently established calculation.
Using Microsoft’s October 2025 U.S. pricing baseline, the increases imply approximate prices of $499.99 for the 512GB Series S, $599.99 for the 1TB Series S, $749.99 for the 1TB Series X Digital Edition and $799.99 for the 1TB disc-equipped Series X. These are derived estimates, not a replacement official price table. Confirm the exact price on the Microsoft Store or a current regional retailer listing.
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
The 2TB Galaxy Black model is being phased out rather than receiving a new standard post-August price. Remaining retailer stock may exist, but a listing is not proof that Microsoft continues to manufacture the console.
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Choose the Series S 1TB if you want the lowest-cost digital entry
It is appropriate if you accept digital games, prefer a compact console and do not need native 4K rendering or Series X performance. Avoid it if you own discs, regularly buy used games, or expect to keep a very large installed library without buying expansion storage.
Choose the Series X Digital Edition for digital-first performance
This is the strongest fit for buyers who want Series X graphics and performance but never use physical media. Its value is weaker for anyone who buys discounted physical games, trades discs or owns a physical backward-compatible collection. The 2026 price increase also makes it materially less attractive than its original $449.99 launch price.
Choose a disc-equipped Series X for flexibility
Buy the disc model if you own physical Xbox games, want to shop the used market, exchange discs with friends or need 4K UHD Blu-ray playback. It costs more and still has 1TB in the standard configuration, but it supports the broadest range of purchasing and compatibility options.
Consider the 2TB Galaxy Black model only from sensible remaining stock
The 2TB edition can be appealing for a large library, disc support, its special design and its matching controller. Because Microsoft announced its sunset, do not pay an excessive collector premium merely for extra storage. Compare the price with a standard disc-equipped Series X plus an expansion card.
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Series X|S supports thousands of games across four Xbox generations, Smart Delivery for supported titles and most Xbox One accessories, including controllers and headsets. Physical backward compatibility requires a disc-equipped console and the relevant disc.
Game Pass can be particularly useful with a discless console, but catalogues, plan names, day-one access, pricing and regional availability change. Check the current official Game Pass page rather than relying on an old subscription price.
After the 2026 price changes, certified refurbished hardware is also worth comparing. Microsoft says Xbox Certified Refurbished Consoles may be available for up to $100 below MSRP, but availability and discounts vary. Trade-in, previously played hardware and financing offers are handled through participating partners and depend on eligibility and geography.
Availability and the next generation
The 2024 announcement did not promise universal availability. Microsoft used “select markets” for the lineup and “limited quantities” for the 2TB special edition. Check the date, region and seller before treating any listing as current. Product pages can continue to show specifications, placeholders or retailer links after stock becomes inconsistent.
These consoles should also not be confused with Microsoft’s next-generation plans. The company’s 2026 Project Helix communication concerns next-generation Xbox development and platform strategy, not the 2024 Series X|S configurations.
Verdict
| Buyer | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Lowest-cost digital player | Series S 1TB, if the current price is acceptable |
| Digital player wanting the best performance | Series X Digital Edition |
| Physical-game owner | Disc-equipped Series X |
| Large-library buyer seeking built-in capacity | 2TB Galaxy Black only if remaining stock is fairly priced |
| Existing console owner needing more space | Compare an official expansion card with the cost of upgrading consoles |
The headline describes a genuine June 2024 product announcement, but it is outdated if presented as new August 2026 news. The models differ in storage, optical drive, design and performance tier—not in generation—and current prices and availability must be checked by market.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
