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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →The Xbox console timeline begins with the original Xbox on November 15, 2001, followed by Xbox 360, Xbox One, the One S and One X revisions, and finally Xbox Series X and Series S on November 10, 2020. The dates below are North American launches unless noted otherwise.
Xbox consoles in release-date order
| Console | North American release date | Generation or role | Key points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Xbox | November 15, 2001 | First Xbox generation | Microsoft’s first Xbox console. |
| Xbox 360 | November 22, 2005 | Second Xbox generation | Successor to the original Xbox. |
| Xbox One | November 22, 2013 | Third Xbox generation | Base Xbox One model. |
| Xbox One S | August 2, 2016 | Xbox One mid-generation revision | The 2TB launch edition began shipping in select regions on this date; the revision is smaller and adds HDR support for video and gaming. |
| Xbox One X | November 7, 2017 | Xbox One mid-generation revision | Higher-performance Xbox One designed for enhanced games and 4K gaming and entertainment. |
| Xbox Series X | November 10, 2020 | Fourth-generation family | Disc-capable model with native 4K capability. |
| Xbox Series S | November 10, 2020 | Fourth-generation family | All-digital model targeting 1440p with upscaling to 4K; available with 512GB or 1TB storage options. |
Microsoft’s own anniversary material dates the original Xbox to November 15, 2001 in North America. The Xbox 360 and Xbox One dates above are also North American launch dates. One S’s August 2, 2016 date applies to its 2TB launch edition in select regions, not a universal worldwide release. Microsoft lists both Series models as launching on November 10, 2020.
What was the first Xbox?
The original Xbox was Microsoft’s first console. It launched in North America on November 15, 2001. In the release sequence, it is followed by Xbox 360 in 2005, Xbox One in 2013, and the Xbox Series family in 2020.
Xbox One, One S and One X: how the revisions fit the timeline
Xbox One — November 22, 2013
Xbox One is the base model of the third Xbox generation. One S and One X are major revisions within the Xbox One family rather than entirely new generations.
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#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.
Xbox One S — August 2, 2016
The One S refresh introduced a smaller console and HDR support for video and gaming. The cited launch date refers to the 2TB launch edition arriving in select regions, so retailers and regions may show different dates for other configurations.
Xbox One X — November 7, 2017
One X launched worldwide on November 7, 2017 as the higher-performance Xbox One. Microsoft positioned it around enhanced games and 4K gaming and entertainment.
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
Xbox Series X versus Series S
| Feature | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | November 10, 2020 | November 10, 2020 |
| Disc drive | Disc-capable | All-digital |
| Target display output | Native 4K capability | Targets 1440p and can upscale to 4K |
| Storage options stated by Microsoft | Not stated in the supplied product evidence | 512GB or 1TB |
| Generation | Fourth-generation Xbox family | Fourth-generation Xbox family |
Series X is the faster, more powerful option for players who want a disc drive and native 4K capability. Series S uses an all-digital library and is designed around a lower target resolution. Both launched on the same day and belong to the same Xbox generation.
Backward compatibility across Xbox generations
Xbox Series X|S supports thousands of games spanning four Xbox generations. The backward-compatibility program includes selected Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, and support varies by title. A game’s availability, enhancements and features therefore depend on that specific title rather than applying uniformly to every older release.
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.
What launched with Xbox Series X|S?
Microsoft said more than 40 new games were playable at the Series X|S launch, including 30 Smart Delivery titles. Smart Delivery allows a supported game to provide the appropriate Xbox version for the console being used; it is available only where a title supports the feature.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Quick answers about the Xbox release order
Which Xbox came first?
The original Xbox, released in North America on November 15, 2001.
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
Did Xbox One S replace Xbox One as a new generation?
No. Xbox One S is a mid-generation revision of the Xbox One family, released in 2016.
Is Xbox One X newer than Xbox One S?
Yes. One S launched in 2016, while the higher-performance One X launched on November 7, 2017.
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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.
Were Series X and Series S separate generations?
No. They are two materially different models in the same fourth-generation Xbox family, both released on November 10, 2020.
Quick Recap
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