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Choose Xbox Series X if you want a console built for native 4K gaming or need to play supported physical discs. Choose Xbox Series S if you are happy with a 1440p target that can upscale to 4K, buy games digitally, and want a smaller console at a lower listed price in the US configurations compared here. Check the precise model and local price before buying: Series X is sold with or without a disc drive, and storage and pricing vary by configuration and market.
Series X vs. Series S at a glance
| Factor | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution target | Targets native 4K gaming; actual resolution and frame rate depend on the game and display. Xbox Series X | Designed for 1440p gaming, with the ability to upscale to 4K; actual output depends on the game and display. Xbox Series S |
| Disc support | Some configurations have an optical drive and play supported discs; the all-digital model does not. Verify the specific model. Xbox console comparison | Digital-only; disc-based games are incompatible. Xbox Series S |
| Storage options | 1TB disc-drive, 1TB all-digital, and 2TB disc-drive options are listed. Xbox console comparison | 512GB and 1TB all-digital options are listed. Xbox console comparison |
| Listed US price for compared configuration | $799.99 for the selected 1TB disc-drive model. | $499.99 for the 512GB model. Prices and availability can vary by retailer and market. Xbox console comparison |
| Size and weight for compared configuration | 15.1 × 15.1 × 30.1 cm; 9.8 lb. | 6.5 × 15.1 × 27.5 cm; 4.25 lb. Xbox console comparison |
| GPU specification | 12 TFLOPS for the compared model; this is a hardware figure, not a game-by-game performance guarantee. Xbox Series X | 4 TFLOPS; this is a hardware figure, not a game-by-game performance guarantee. Xbox Series S |
The prices above are Xbox US listed prices for those named configurations, not universal street prices. Xbox says retailer prices and availability may vary. Both console families list HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM, compatibility with Xbox One accessories, Quick Resume, Xbox Velocity Architecture, and support for up to 120 FPS when the game and display support it. Those shared features do not settle the choice; resolution, discs, storage, price, and space are more useful deciding factors. Xbox console comparison
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Choose Series X for 4K gaming or supported discs
You want the stronger 4K-oriented option
Xbox describes Series X as targeting native 4K gaming. That is a target, not a promise that every game renders at native 4K or runs at a particular frame rate: each title and your display affect the result. The listed 12 TFLOPS GPU figure is a specification, not a substitute for title-specific performance information.
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Choose a Series X configuration with an optical drive if you want to use supported discs. Series X also has an all-digital model, so confirm that the listing explicitly includes a disc drive before purchasing. Series S has no disc drive, and an external storage device cannot add one.
#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.
You want more internal storage in a listed configuration
Xbox lists Series X configurations with 1TB or 2TB of internal storage. The 2TB option is a disc-drive model; the listed 1TB options include both disc-drive and all-digital versions. The price shown for the compared 1TB disc-drive Series X does not establish the price of the other configurations.
Choose Series S for digital play, a smaller console, and a lower listed price
You buy and play games digitally
Series S is digital-only. Xbox states that disc-based games are incompatible with its 512GB and 1TB consoles. You will need a compatible digital license for games you want to play, including supported backward-compatible titles.
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
You are comfortable with a 1440p target
Series S is designed for 1440p and can upscale to 4K. Upscaling is not the same as native 4K rendering, and the actual resolution and frame rate depend on the supported game and display. Xbox lists a 4 TFLOPS GPU for Series S; the number alone does not predict how a particular game will perform.
You have limited space or want the lower compared US price
The compared Series S is 6.5 × 15.1 × 27.5 cm and weighs 4.25 lb, while the compared Series X disc-drive model is 15.1 × 15.1 × 30.1 cm and weighs 9.8 lb. In Xbox’s US comparison, the Series S 512GB configuration is listed at $499.99, versus $799.99 for the Series X 1TB disc-drive configuration. These are prices for those specific US configurations; retailer prices, availability, and other markets can differ.
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 think about storage and game compatibility
Match capacity to the configuration, not just the console name
Storage varies: the compared Series X disc-drive model has 1TB, Xbox lists a 2TB Series X disc-drive option and a 1TB all-digital Series X, and Series S is listed with 512GB or 1TB. Confirm capacity on the exact product listing; the price for one configuration does not apply to the others.
Expansion options
Both console families support Xbox Series X|S Storage Expansion Cards. Xbox says these cards replicate the custom SSD experience and provide additional game storage at the same performance. Xbox also lists USB external HDD support. The cited product information does not provide a detailed comparison of expansion-device capacities, prices, or loading performance, so check the current listing for a specific device and use case.
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.
Backward compatibility is selective
Xbox says backward compatibility covers select Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Original Xbox games—not every title from those generations. Series S requires compatible digital licenses because it cannot read game discs. Check whether a specific game is supported and whether you own a usable digital license before relying on backward compatibility. Xbox backward compatibility
A quick decision checklist
- Pick Series X with a disc drive if native-4K-oriented gaming or supported physical discs matters to you.
- Pick Series X all-digital if you want the Series X option but do not need disc playback; verify the model because not every Series X has a drive.
- Pick Series S if you are content with a 1440p target, use digital game licenses, and prioritize its smaller form or lower listed price among the compared US configurations.
- Before checkout, verify the exact storage tier, disc-drive status, current local price, and retailer availability.
Xbox Game Pass is optional, not required for either console. It may suit buyers who want a subscription library, but it does not change the consoles’ disc-drive or resolution differences.
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.
