Choose Samsung Gaming Hub if you already have a supported Samsung TV, want to stream games, and are comfortable with a compatible controller, a reliable internet connection, and the service subscriptions required for the games you want. Choose an Xbox console if you want dedicated local hardware; choose Series X for native 4K capability or disc playback, and Series S for an all-digital console designed for 1440p. You can also connect an Xbox to a Samsung TV and use Gaming Hub to launch it.
What Samsung Gaming Hub does—and what it does not
Samsung Gaming Hub is a gaming interface on supported Samsung TVs and monitors, not a console. It brings together selected cloud gaming services, including Xbox Cloud Gaming, and can surface a physically connected console. The interface is free to use, but hosted services may require their own subscriptions or fees. Availability depends on the exact device model and country. Samsung’s Gaming Hub page describes its supported services and device qualifications.
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With Xbox Cloud Gaming, games are streamed from remote servers rather than run on Xbox hardware in your home. That can let you play supported games on a compatible Samsung TV without buying a console, but it is not a guarantee of the same library, features, or experience as playing locally on an Xbox. Xbox says game selection and cloud features can vary by plan, region, time, and platform. Possible limitations include resolution, audio output, cloud saves, companion apps, and accessories. Xbox’s TV app page describes its current requirements and limitations.
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Check your TV and country before choosing the cloud route
Support statements vary by product and service. Samsung’s Canada Gaming Hub page lists selected 2022–2026 TV series and selected 2021 models supported by software update, while Samsung support describes Gaming Hub more generally as available on 2022-and-later Samsung Smart TVs and monitors. Xbox separately lists selected Samsung 2020-and-newer smart TVs for its TV app. Those broader Xbox app dates do not mean every listed TV has the same Gaming Hub features.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Confirm the precise model and local availability on Samsung’s Gaming Hub model information and Samsung’s controller and Gaming Hub support article, then check Xbox’s TV app page. Availability and support can differ by country, model, and service.
What you need to play Xbox games on a Samsung TV
- A supported TV and service in your region. Check both the model and local Xbox app availability; do not assume that every Samsung smart TV supports the same features.
- A compatible controller. Xbox lists compatible controllers as a requirement and also names Sony PlayStation controllers among options. Samsung support lists USB and Bluetooth controllers, including Xbox Wireless Controller family devices, but says limitations can vary. Some Xbox controllers may need a firmware update, and Samsung Tizen TVs support XInput mode. Follow the support instructions for your exact TV and controller.
- Internet suitable for streaming. Samsung recommends 20 Mbps or faster for cloud gaming. Xbox lists 20 Mbps down for consoles, PCs, and tablets, and recommends a wired connection or 5 GHz Wi-Fi for TV play. These are vendor recommendations, not guarantees of low latency or a particular image quality; cloud performance also varies with connection, location, device, and other factors.
- A subscription for most Xbox cloud games. Xbox says most cloud games require an active Game Pass subscription. The available games and cloud allowances depend on plan and market, and can change. Check the Xbox TV app page for the current terms in your country before subscribing.
Samsung says a TV can connect up to four Bluetooth controllers at once, or two when a Bluetooth audio device is also connected. Exact controller features can differ by model and controller revision; see Samsung’s support article for its device guidance.
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
How Series X and Series S differ
If you decide local Xbox hardware is a better fit, the two console families make different tradeoffs. The figures below are Microsoft’s specifications and design targets, not independent performance test results. Microsoft says supported games and displays are needed to reach up to 120 FPS.
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|---|---|---|---|
| Series X | Native 4K; up to 120 FPS on supported content and displays | Disc-drive configurations are available; choose a disc-drive model for disc games or UHD Blu-ray playback | 1TB and 2TB |
| Series S | Designed for 1440p with 4K upscaling; up to 120 FPS on supported content and displays | All-digital; does not play discs | 512GB and 1TB |
These specifications and configurations are listed on Microsoft’s Xbox console pages. Prices, configurations, and availability vary by market and retailer, so compare current local listings rather than relying on a universal price difference.
Rank #3
- 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. This is an all-digital console; use with digital games only. Console does not play physical discs.
Which option fits your priorities?
Choose Gaming Hub and cloud play if
- You already own a supported Samsung TV or monitor and want to avoid buying console hardware.
- You are comfortable with streamed play and have a suitable connection.
- You are willing to use a compatible controller and pay for any service subscription needed for your chosen games.
Choose Xbox Series X if
- You want dedicated local console hardware and Microsoft’s native 4K capability.
- You want to play disc games or use UHD Blu-ray playback, and select a Series X configuration with a disc drive.
Choose Xbox Series S if
- You want dedicated local hardware in an all-digital console designed for 1440p with 4K upscaling.
- You are comfortable buying and playing digitally; it cannot use game or movie discs.
Use both if
You want a console for local play but also value Gaming Hub as a TV interface for cloud services and connected devices. Samsung says Gaming Hub can launch a connected Xbox console, so these options are not mutually exclusive. See Samsung’s Gaming Hub information and Samsung’s support guidance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
Rank #4
- Experience the next generation in entertainment with the Microsoft Xbox One games console
- Powerful hardware provides stunning, true-to-life graphics
- Play with millions of other gamers across the web with Xbox Live
- Jump seamlessly between your favourite game, TV show or movie
- Includes a Wireless Controller
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