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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →In an interview reported in August 2023, Xbox executive Phil Spencer said buyers should not expect console prices to fall as sharply as they did in some earlier generations. He pointed to Xbox Series S as a lower-priced way into the Xbox lineup. His remarks describe the hardware economics and strategy he discussed then—not current Xbox prices or a guarantee that console prices will never drop.
What Phil Spencer said about console prices
Thurrott reported Spencer saying: “The prices aren’t coming down. We see it now, and that’s why we did Xbox Series S.” Thurrott’s August 25, 2023 report connects the remark to the Series S’s role as the lower-priced option alongside the flagship Xbox Series X.
Spencer also used a $500-to-$200 example to explain the shift: “You’re not going to be able to start with a console that’s $500 thinking it’s gonna get to 200 bucks. That won’t happen.” Those figures were part of his illustrative statement, not market data or a promise about the price of a specific Xbox model.
Why he said steep price cuts are less certain
Spencer attributed the changing price trajectory to component availability. He said manufacturers could no longer buy some components used in older console designs, including certain RAM, and argued that the previous pattern—keeping one hardware specification in production for years while its cost and retail price fell—was changing. Gamereactor’s August 25, 2023 account also attributes this explanation to an interview with Eurogamer.
#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.
The point is about the hardware cost structure Spencer described in 2023. It is not evidence that every console will hold its price, that discounts cannot happen, or that component costs are the only factor shaping retail prices.
How Series S fit into the Xbox strategy
Spencer framed Series S as a way to offer a more accessible entry point while buyers should not count on flagship consoles becoming dramatically cheaper over time. Series X was positioned as the flagship in the contemporary report; Series S was the lower-priced alternative. The report does not establish current prices, retailer stock, or a present-day comparison of performance and features.
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
Because the comments date to 2023, check current listings in your region before making a purchase decision. Neither report establishes what Xbox consoles cost now or whether a particular retailer has them available.
Quick Recap
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.
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
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.
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.
