Complete Guide to Buying an Xbox Series X/S

Your Guide to buying the best Xbox Series X/S

Overview

The Xbox Series X/S is the latest in gaming consoles from Microsoft, offering gamers the most powerful gaming experience ever. With a range of features and capabilities, it's no surprise that the Xbox Series X/S is a must-have for any serious gamers. This buying guide is designed to help you make the right purchase decision and equip you with the information necessary to get the most out of your new console. We'll cover the different consoles and models available, the specs and features to consider, and the best ways to buy the Xbox Series X/S.

Key features

  1. Price: The Xbox Series X retails for $499.99 and the Xbox Series S retails for $299.99.
  2. Performance: The Xbox Series X offers up to 4K resolution at 60fps and up to 120fps, with 8K capability. The Xbox Series S offers 1080p resolution at 60fps and up to 120fps.
  3. Storage Capacity: The Xbox Series X comes with 1TB of storage, while the Xbox Series S comes with 512GB of storage.
  4. Size: The Xbox Series X is slightly larger than the Xbox Series S, measuring 15.1 x 10.8 x 6 inches compared to the Series S' 11.6 x 5.9 x 2.6 inch dimensions.
  5. Graphics: The Xbox Series X features an AMD Radeon RDNA 2 GPU, capable of 12 teraflops of power. The Xbox Series S features an AMD RDNA 2 GPU, capable of 4 teraflops of power.
  6. Game Library: Xbox Series X/S offer access to a wide variety of games, both current and classic, through backward compatibility.
  7. Connectivity: Xbox Series X/S features support for both Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
  8. Controller: Xbox Series X/S controllers are designed with performance and comfort in mind, featuring a refined design and improved triggers.

See the most popular Xbox Series X/S on Amazon

Important considerations

Pros

  • Performance - The Xbox Series X/S offers up-to-date hardware and improved performance compared to previous generations, allowing for smoother visuals, faster load times, and enhanced responsiveness.
  • Backwards Compatible - The Xbox Series X/S is compatible with all titles from the Xbox One generation and many from the original Xbox and Xbox 360, allowing players to continue enjoying their favorite games.
  • Optimized Games - Many games have been optimized to take full advantage of the Series X/S hardware, offering improved visuals, resolution, and performance.
  • Smart Delivery - All games optimized for the Series X/S will be available in Smart Delivery, allowing players to purchase the game once for use on both the Xbox One and Series X/S.
  • Xbox Game Pass - The Xbox Game Pass subscription service provides access to hundreds of games, including those optimized for the Series X/S.
  • Streaming & Sharing - The Xbox Series X/S offers a variety of streaming and sharing features, allowing players to stream their gameplay to services like Mixer and Twitch, as well as share videos and screenshots.
  • Cross-Platform Play - With support for cross-platform play, Xbox Series X/S owners can play with their friends on other platforms, such as the PC and PlayStation.
  • Controller & Accessories - The Xbox Series X/S controller and accessories are compatible with both the current and previous generations, allowing you to use your existing equipment.

Cons

  • Cost: The Xbox Series X/S can be expensive, especially compared to other gaming consoles on the market.
  • Backwards compatibility: Some games, especially those from the original Xbox, may not be backwards compatible.
  • Lack of exclusives: Xbox Series X/S does not have as many exclusive games as the PlayStation 5.
  • Online play: Online play requires a subscription to Xbox Live, which can be an additional cost.
  • Storage: The internal storage of the Xbox Series X/S can be limited, and external storage can be expensive.

Best alternatives

  1. Sony PlayStation 5 (PS5) - Sony's next-gen console, offering a powerful gaming experience with 4K visuals and HDR support.
  2. Nintendo Switch - A hybrid console and handheld device, offering portability and access to a wide range of exclusive games.
  3. Microsoft Xbox One X - Microsoft’s current-gen console, offering a powerful gaming experience with 4K visuals and HDR support.
  4. Sony PlayStation 4 Pro - Sony's current-gen console, offering a powerful gaming experience with 4K visuals and HDR support.
  5. Nintendo Wii U - Nintendo's last-gen home console, featuring a unique tablet-like controller.
  6. Microsoft Xbox 360 - Microsoft’s last-gen console, offering access to a wide range of exclusive games.

Related tools, supplies, and accessories

  • Controller - A gaming controller used to play games on the Xbox Series X/S.
  • Headset - A headset or headphones used with the Xbox Series X/S for gaming and communication.
  • Game Pass - A digital subscription service that gives access to a large library of games.
  • HDMI Cable - A cable used to connect the Xbox Series X/S to a TV.
  • Storage - External hard drives, flash drives, and other storage devices used to store games, movies, music, and other content.
  • Remote - A remote control used for media playback, such as for movies and music.

Common questions

  1. What are the differences between the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S?
    The Xbox Series X is the more powerful console of the two, with more processing power, better graphics, and a larger storage capacity. The Xbox Series S is smaller, and less powerful, but still capable of providing a great gaming experience at a lower price point.
  2. Which games are available for the Xbox Series X/S?
    The Xbox Series X/S supports games from the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox libraries, as well as games from the Microsoft Store. It also supports backwards compatibility with a growing library of Xbox Series X/S Optimized titles.
  3. What accessories are available for the Xbox Series X/S?
    The Xbox Series X/S is compatible with a variety of accessories including headsets, controllers, storage devices, and more. It also supports a wide range of external gaming accessories, such as steering wheels and VR headsets.
  4. How much does the Xbox Series X/S cost?
    The Xbox Series X retails for $499 USD and the Xbox Series S retails for $299 USD. Prices may vary by retailer and region.
  5. Does the Xbox Series X/S support 4K gaming?
    Yes, the Xbox Series X/S supports 4K gaming, as well as 8K gaming and high frame rate performance.
  6. What other features does the Xbox Series X/S offer?
    The Xbox Series X/S offers a host of features, such as the Xbox Game Pass which provides unlimited access to over 100 games, Xbox One backwards compatibility, and Quick Resume, which allows you to quickly switch between multiple games without having to wait for them to reload. It also offers Dolby Atmos 3D audio support, and more.

Trivia

In a tongue-in-cheek response to the launch of the Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Australia created a series of ads using an AI-powered chatbot to 'interview' popular Australian celebrities for the new consoles. The chatbot was programmed to ask the same questions to each celebrity, but the responses were often amusing and unexpected. For example, when asked what game title they would most likely recommend to potential buyers, artist Missy Higgins replied with “Tetris, because I always manage to quit when I’m winning – so it’s a great game to help you practice not being a sore loser!”. Source

Disclaimer: This buying guide was not created by humans, and it is possible that some of it's content is inaccurate or incomplete. We do not guarantee or take any liability for the accuracy of this buying guide. Additionally, the images on this page were generated by AI and may not accurately represent the product that is being discussed. We have tried to convey useful information, but it is our subjective opinion and should not be taken as complete or factual.