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The announcement was real, but it is not new in 2026. Microsoft announced three refreshed Xbox Series X|S configurations on June 9, 2024: a 1TB Xbox Series S, a discless 1TB Xbox Series X, and a 2TB Galaxy Black Xbox Series X. They were mid-generation options—not a new Xbox generation—with differences focused on storage, disc support, design, and price.
There is an important current-status catch: Microsoft’s August 1, 2026 pricing update raised prices for Xbox consoles and announced that the 2TB model would be sunset. The original 2024 prices below are therefore historical launch estimates, not current guaranteed prices.
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The three Xbox models Microsoft announced
Microsoft described the 2024 lineup as offering more design, storage, and price options while retaining the core speed and performance of the existing Series X|S consoles. The announcement targeted the 2024 holiday season and specified select markets, with limited quantities for the 2TB special edition.
| Model | Storage | Disc drive | Original U.S. estimated retail price | 2026 status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S 1TB Robot White | 1TB SSD | No | $349.99 | Part of the 1TB price category affected by the August 2026 increase; verify current listings. |
| Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition | 1TB SSD | No | $449.99 | Part of the 1TB price category affected by the August 2026 increase; verify current listings. |
| Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition | 2TB SSD | Yes | $599.99 | Microsoft announced that the model would be sunset; remaining retailer stock may exist. |
See Microsoft’s original announcement for the launch specifications and regional availability notes.
#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.
What each model offers
Xbox Series S 1TB Robot White
The 1TB Series S is an all-digital console with twice the advertised storage of the original 512GB Series S. It keeps the smaller Series S performance tier and compact design rather than upgrading its CPU or GPU.
Series S is designed around a 1440p output target, with upscaling to 4K where supported. Compatible games and displays can support up to 120 frames per second. Actual resolution and frame rate depend on the game, display, and selected performance mode.
This is the most sensible configuration for a budget-conscious digital player who wants a smaller console and more breathing room for installed games than the 512GB model provides. It is not a performance upgrade over the 512GB Series S.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsXbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition
The Series X Digital Edition removes the optical drive but retains Series X-class hardware and performance. It is a digital-only console with a 1TB custom SSD in a Robot White finish.
Unlike Series S, this is still the higher-performance Series X tier, with a native-4K positioning, a custom Zen 2 CPU, an RDNA 2 GPU rated at 12 teraflops, 16GB of GDDR6 memory, and support for up to 120 frames per second in supported games.
It suits players who buy games digitally, use a subscription service such as Xbox Game Pass, or simply want Series X performance without paying for an optical drive they will not use.
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 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition
The premium configuration doubles the standard Series X storage to 2TB. It includes a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive, a Galaxy Black finish with a celestial design, and a matching special-edition Xbox Wireless Controller.
The extra capacity and special design do not make the console faster. Microsoft stated that it has the same core Series X performance as the other Series X configurations. It was also announced as a limited-quantity product in select markets.
What “discless” means
A discless Xbox has no optical drive. It cannot read physical Xbox game discs or 4K UHD Blu-ray discs.
On the Series S 1TB and Series X Digital Edition, games must be:
- Purchased digitally through the Microsoft Store;
- Redeemed with a digital code; or
- Downloaded through a compatible subscription or another digital entitlement.
Digital purchases associated with a Microsoft account remain available on compatible consoles, subject to Microsoft’s licensing and account policies. Digital backward-compatible games can also be downloaded and played.
Physical discs are different. An existing Xbox One or backward-compatible Xbox disc collection cannot be used on a discless console. On a disc-equipped Series X, a supported disc must generally remain inserted to verify ownership when playing a disc-based backward-compatible game. The optical drive also enables 4K UHD Blu-ray playback.
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.
That makes the Digital Edition more than a cheaper-looking version of the standard Series X. It has the same performance tier, but it removes physical-game purchases, used-game access, disc swapping, physical backward compatibility, and Blu-ray functionality.
Series S versus Series X
| Feature | Series S 512GB/1TB | Series X Digital | Series X Disc/2TB |
|---|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | No | No | Yes |
| Performance tier | Series S | Series X | Series X |
| Resolution target | 1440p, with 4K upscaling where supported | Native-4K-class Series X target | Native-4K-class Series X target |
| Internal storage | 512GB or 1TB | 1TB | 1TB or 2TB |
| Physical games | No | No | Yes |
| Best suited to | Budget digital players | Digital-first players seeking Series X performance | Physical-media owners and broadest-use buyers |
| Storage expansion | Storage Expansion Card; USB storage for compatible uses | Same | Same |
All three configurations remain part of the Xbox Series X|S generation. They support thousands of games across four Xbox generations, Smart Delivery for supported titles, and most Xbox One accessories such as controllers and headsets.
More storage does not mean more performance
The 1TB and 2TB models primarily give players more room for installations. They do not automatically provide:
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- Higher frame rates;
- A faster CPU;
- A more powerful GPU;
- Better ray tracing; or
- A higher resolution than the console’s underlying performance tier supports.
The 1TB Series S remains a Series S even though it has more storage. The 1TB Digital Edition remains a Series X even though it lacks a disc drive. The 2TB Galaxy Black model has more capacity and special-edition extras, not a faster graphics processor.
Prices then versus the 2026 situation
Microsoft’s June 2024 U.S. estimated retail prices were:
- Series S 1TB Robot White: $349.99
- Series X 1TB Digital Edition: $449.99
- Series X 2TB Galaxy Black: $599.99
These figures describe the 2024 holiday launch and should not be presented as current prices. Microsoft later raised U.S. Xbox console prices in October 2025. In a June 25, 2026 announcement, it said that, effective August 1, 2026, prices would rise by $100 for 512GB models and $150 for 1TB models worldwide. Microsoft also said it would sunset the 2TB model.
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.
Using Microsoft’s October 2025 U.S. price table as a baseline, those increases imply approximate prices of $499.99 for the 512GB Series S, $599.99 for the 1TB Series S, $749.99 for the Series X Digital Edition, and $799.99 for the 1TB disc-equipped Series X. These are derived estimates, not a replacement official price table. Check the current Microsoft Store listing or a regional retailer before buying.
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Prices, product assortments, and availability vary by country. Do not convert the U.S. figures directly into a local price. Retail listings can also represent old stock, placeholders, or discontinued products.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Xbox model should you buy?
Choose the 1TB Series S if you want the lowest-cost digital entry
It is a good fit if you are comfortable buying digitally, prefer a compact console, do not require native 4K rendering, and want more internal capacity than the 512GB version. Its weaknesses are the lower performance tier, lack of a disc drive, and the possibility that 1TB will still fill quickly with large modern games.
Choose the Series X Digital Edition for digital-first performance
This is the right configuration when you want Series X graphics and performance, but never use physical games or Blu-ray discs. Its value is weaker for anyone who regularly buys used discs, trades games, or owns a physical backward-compatible library—especially after the 2026 price increase.
Choose a disc-equipped Series X for maximum flexibility
The disc-equipped Series X is the broadest-use choice. It supports physical Xbox games, used-game purchases, disc-based backward compatibility, digital games, and 4K UHD Blu-ray playback. The trade-off is a higher price and only 1TB of internal storage on the standard configuration.
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Remaining stock can make the 2TB model appealing if you want a disc drive, extra built-in space, and its special-edition design. However, Microsoft announced that it would be sunset in 2026, so availability is inconsistent. Avoid paying an inflated collector premium unless the design and included controller justify it to you.
Storage expansion: card versus USB drive
Every Series X|S configuration supports an official Xbox Storage Expansion Card. Microsoft designed these cards to reproduce the performance of the console’s custom internal SSD, making them the appropriate choice for storing and running Series-optimized games.
USB external drives are useful for archiving games and running compatible older titles. However, Series-optimized games generally need to be moved to the internal SSD or an official expansion card to run with their intended performance. A USB drive is therefore not a complete equivalent to an expansion card.
Because expansion cards can be expensive, compare the total cost before choosing a smaller console: a lower-capacity Xbox plus a card may approach or exceed the price of a higher-capacity model. Also remember that advertised 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB capacities are raw storage tiers; the operating system and reserved space reduce the amount available for games.
Microsoft’s storage primer explains the distinction between the proprietary expansion solution and USB storage.
Do not confuse these consoles with the next Xbox
The three models described here are refreshed configurations of the current Xbox Series X|S generation. Microsoft’s 2026 Project Helix communication concerns a separate next-generation development and platform initiative. It does not turn the discless Series X into new-generation hardware.
Quick recommendation matrix
| Your priority | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest-cost digital gaming | Series S 1TB | Compact and more spacious than the 512GB model, provided the current price is acceptable. |
| Best digital performance | Series X Digital Edition | Series X hardware without an optical drive. |
| Physical games and Blu-ray | Disc-equipped Series X | Supports both physical and digital libraries. |
| Maximum built-in capacity | 2TB Galaxy Black Series X | Worth considering only from remaining stock at a reasonable price. |
| Lowest effective cost after 2026 increases | Certified refurbished or previously played hardware | Microsoft says certified refurbished consoles may be available for up to $100 off MSRP, subject to availability and region. |
Microsoft also lists trade-in and financing options through participating partners. Eligibility, valuation, credit terms, and availability vary, so review the terms rather than treating them as universally available discounts.
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.
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