Choose Xbox Series X if you want native 4K gaming or need a disc drive for supported game discs and UHD Blu-ray. Choose Xbox Series S if an all-digital console designed for 1440p gaming—and able to upscale to 4K—fits your setup. Storage and disc-drive options vary by model, so check the exact edition and current price available in your market before buying.
Xbox Series X vs. Series S at a glance
| Feature | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution target | Xbox describes it as displaying games in native 4K. | Designed for 1440p gaming, with the ability to upscale to 4K. |
| Disc drive | Some configurations include a UHD Blu-ray drive; an all-digital configuration is also listed. | All-digital. |
| Listed storage configurations | 1TB disc-drive, 1TB all-digital, and 2TB disc-drive editions. | 512GB and 1TB all-digital editions. |
| Storage expansion | Supports the Series X|S Storage Expansion Card and USB 3.1 external HDDs. | Supports the same expansion-card family and USB 3.1 external HDDs. |
| Shared features | Quick Resume, Smart Delivery, variable refresh rate, auto low-latency mode, and up to 120 FPS where supported by the game and display. | |
These capacities are configuration labels, not claims about usable formatted space. Xbox cautions that options and availability vary by market. See Xbox’s console comparison and its Series X and Series S product information for the configurations listed.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Which console should you choose?
Choose Series X for native 4K or discs
- You prioritize native 4K. Xbox describes Series X as displaying games in native 4K. A 4K television does not make Series S a native-4K console; Series S is designed for 1440p and can upscale to 4K.
- You use physical media. Select a Series X configuration with a UHD Blu-ray drive if you want to play supported game discs or UHD Blu-ray movies. Xbox says a game disc must remain in the drive to play after installation.
- You want a larger listed internal-storage option. The comparison includes a 2TB Series X edition. Check local availability and the exact edition before deciding.
Choose Series S for an all-digital setup
- You buy or access games digitally. Series S has no disc drive, so it cannot use physical game discs or UHD Blu-ray discs.
- Your display and expectations suit 1440p. It is designed for 1440p gaming and can upscale to 4K; upscaling is not the same as native 4K rendering.
- You want to select between listed capacities. Xbox lists 512GB and 1TB Series S configurations. Match the model to your library and budget rather than assuming every market carries both.
What changes between the models in practice?
Resolution is a target, not a promise that every game behaves identically
Xbox’s product descriptions set the clearest distinction: native 4K for Series X versus a 1440p design target with 4K upscaling for Series S. Individual game output can depend on the game, and the shared claim of up to 120 FPS is conditional on supported content and a compatible display. These specifications do not establish a universal frame rate or resolution for every title.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Disc access depends on the Series X edition
“Xbox Series X” does not always mean a disc-drive console: Xbox lists both disc-drive and all-digital Series X configurations. Series S is all-digital. If you have a physical game collection, verify the exact Series X edition; a digital-only model will not read those discs.
#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.
Storage capacity affects how much you keep installed
Xbox lists Series X in 1TB and 2TB configurations and Series S in 512GB and 1TB configurations. Those are the stated drive capacities, not an estimate of space available after formatting or system use. If you expect a larger installed library, compare the listed capacity of the actual models on sale and consider whether expansion fits your budget.
How storage expansion works
Both consoles support the Xbox Series X|S Storage Expansion Card, which plugs into the dedicated expansion port and adds game storage at the same performance as the custom SSD. It is sold separately. Xbox also lists support for USB 3.1 external HDDs, but does not describe those drives as matching the expansion card’s SSD performance. Treat the card and an external HDD as different options, not interchangeable performance equivalents.
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
For details, consult Xbox’s Series X storage information and Series S specifications. Xbox Game Pass is optional for either console; the comparison page associates it with access to a game library and other benefits, but neither console requires a subscription to be used.
What features do both consoles share?
Xbox lists Velocity Architecture, Quick Resume, Smart Delivery, variable refresh rate, and auto low-latency mode across the Series X|S comparison. Both support up to 120 FPS when the game and display support it. Xbox also says Series X|S consoles work with most Xbox One controllers and gaming accessories. Check compatibility for a specific accessory if it is important to your setup.
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.
How to compare prices fairly
Xbox says prices and availability vary by market and retailer. Compare current local listings for the exact storage capacity and disc-drive configuration you want; the Series X name alone does not identify whether a drive is included. The $499 USD Series X and $299 USD Series S figures in Microsoft’s September 2020 hardware fact sheet were launch prices, not current price guidance. A fair value comparison needs today’s regional prices for the specific editions under consideration.
Quick Recap
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.
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.
