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Xbox One Model Guide: Original, One S, All-Digital and One X Compared

The Xbox One S is the best general used buy, while the One X delivers the strongest Xbox One gaming performance. Here is how all four models differ—and how to avoid the disc-less All-Digital Edition.
Length9 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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The Xbox One S is the best all-round used Xbox One for most buyers who want physical discs. Choose the Xbox One X for the strongest Xbox One graphics and 4K-capable gaming on supported titles. Choose the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition only if you are certain you will never need game, Blu-ray or DVD discs. The original Xbox One is worth considering mainly when it is substantially cheaper.

In 2026, every Xbox One is primarily a used, refurbished or remaining third-party-stock purchase. Compare its condition and price with an Xbox Series S or Series X before buying.

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The four Xbox One models at a glance

There are four meaningful Xbox One hardware configurations: the original Xbox One, Xbox One S, Xbox One S All-Digital Edition and Xbox One X. Limited editions and bundles usually change the shell, storage, controller, markings or included games—not the underlying performance tier.

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Model Disc drive Gaming target 4K video HDR10 Storage options Power supply
Xbox One Standard Blu-ray Primarily 1080p No 4K output in Microsoft’s family specification No in the family specification 500GB or 1TB External
Xbox One S 4K UHD Blu-ray Primarily 1080p; title-specific improvements Yes Yes 500GB, 1TB or 2TB Internal
Xbox One S All-Digital Edition None Similar to One S Yes Yes 1TB Internal
Xbox One X 4K UHD Blu-ray Native or dynamic 4K on supported games Yes Yes 1TB Internal

These figures are based on Microsoft’s Xbox One family specification sheet. Storage figures are advertised capacities, so usable free space is lower after system software is installed.

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Original Xbox One

The launch Xbox One is the largest and thickest model. Many units have a two-tone black finish, a front-loading Blu-ray slot and a large external power brick. It is often simply marked “Xbox One.”

  • Approximately 34.3 × 26.3 × 8cm and 7.8lb.
  • 500GB or 1TB hard drive configurations.
  • About 1.75GHz eight-core CPU and approximately 1.31 teraflops of GPU performance.
  • 1080p-class output and no HDR or 4K-video features listed in Microsoft’s family specification.

It can play the broad Xbox One software library, but later models can provide better image quality or performance in games that support them. Its external power brick, size and age make it the least attractive general purchase when an affordable One S is available.

It can still make sense as an inexpensive secondary console, a basic 1080p machine or a limited-edition collectible—provided the price reflects its weaker features and older hardware.

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Xbox One S

The Xbox One S is the smaller mainstream revision. Standard models are usually white, have a perforated or dotted upper surface, a front-facing USB port, an optical-disc slot and an internal power supply. Microsoft described it as approximately 40% smaller than the original Xbox One.

  • Approximately 29.5 × 23 × 6.5cm and 6.4lb.
  • 500GB, 1TB and 2TB configurations.
  • 4K video output and streaming, HDR10 support and 4K UHD Blu-ray playback.
  • Similar general game performance to the original Xbox One, not the major performance jump provided by One X.

The One S can upscale games and other content for a 4K display. That does not mean ordinary Xbox One games are rendered natively at 4K. Its main upgrades are the smaller design, internal power supply, HDR and video features. See Microsoft’s explanation of One S 4K and HDR support.

Xbox One S All-Digital Edition

Critical buying warning: the All-Digital Edition has no optical drive. It cannot read physical Xbox One, Xbox 360 or original Xbox games, DVDs, Blu-ray discs or 4K UHD Blu-ray discs. An external USB disc drive does not turn it into a disc-equipped console.

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The All-Digital Edition uses the One S-style platform and generally has a white enclosure and 1TB of storage, but the front has no disc slot. Its game performance is not meaningfully faster because it is newer; its defining change is the removal of the optical drive. A contemporary comparison of the two models is available from Windows Central.

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Buy it only if you download every game, have dependable broadband and are comfortable with digital licenses tied to an account or console license. It is a poor choice for collectors, used-game buyers and anyone with backward-compatible discs.

Xbox One X

The Xbox One X is the premium Xbox One model and the only one with a substantial graphics upgrade. It is usually black, compact and dense, with an internal power supply and a physical-disc slot.

  • Approximately 30 × 24 × 6cm and 8.4lb.
  • 1TB hard drive and 4K UHD Blu-ray drive.
  • About 2.3GHz eight-core CPU, 6.0-teraflop GPU and 12GB of GDDR5 memory.
  • 4K output, HDR10 and game-specific Xbox One X Enhanced support.

Microsoft launched the One X around a 6-teraflop GPU and 4K gaming capability. Supported games may use native 4K, dynamic resolution, improved textures, better filtering or higher frame-rate modes. Some prioritize visual quality at 30fps; others offer a 1080p performance mode at 60fps; some receive little or no special enhancement. It is not a universal 4K/60fps machine. Microsoft’s Xbox One X Enhanced examples show how modes vary by game.

The One X can also improve image quality on a 1080p TV through supersampling, so a 4K television is helpful but not mandatory. Microsoft explains the model’s 4K, HDR and supersampling behavior here.

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4K gaming, 4K video and HDR are different features

“4K Xbox One” can describe several different capabilities:

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  • 4K game rendering: the game itself renders at native or dynamic 4K. This is primarily a One X feature and depends on the title.
  • 4K output or upscaling: the console sends a 4K signal to the television, but the original game may have been rendered at a lower resolution.
  • 4K streaming: supported video services can deliver 4K video on One S, All-Digital and One X.
  • 4K UHD Blu-ray: requires an optical drive and is available on One S and One X, not the original Xbox One or All-Digital Edition.
  • HDR10: requires HDR-compatible content and a compatible television. Owning an HDR-capable console does not make every game HDR.

Microsoft’s 4K and HDR guidance identifies One S and One X as the Xbox One models with these later video features. The practical distinction is simple: One S is a good 4K-video console, while One X is the model to seek for enhanced game rendering.

Real-world differences by need

For a 1080p television

All four models can serve basic Xbox One gaming, but the One X can improve supported games through higher-quality modes and supersampling. If the price gap is large, a One S remains the sensible budget choice. The original Xbox One should be bought only at a clear discount.

For a 4K television

Choose One S for 4K streaming, HDR and UHD Blu-ray without paying for premium game performance. Choose One X if resolution, enhanced textures and performance options matter. Do not assume that a 4K TV makes every One S game 4K.

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For physical games and movies

Choose a disc-equipped One S or One X. The original Xbox One has a standard Blu-ray drive, while One S and One X add 4K UHD Blu-ray playback. Avoid the All-Digital Edition entirely if you own discs, buy used games, lend games or want to resell them.

For the smallest, simplest setup

One S and All-Digital have internal power supplies. The original Xbox One requires a separate power brick. One X is compact but heavier and typically draws more power than One S.

Limited editions and misleading listings

Names such as Xbox One Elite, Project Scorpio Edition, Minecraft Edition and Gears of War Edition do not automatically indicate separate performance tiers. Identify the underlying console first.

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For example, “Xbox One Elite” may mean an original Xbox One Elite with a 1TB hybrid drive, or a standard Xbox One bundled with an Elite controller. Project Scorpio Edition is a special Xbox One X with distinctive markings, packaging and a bundled vertical stand—not a faster version of One X. Microsoft’s launch details are in its Project Scorpio Edition announcement.

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Which Xbox One should you buy?

Best overall used model: Xbox One S

It combines physical-disc support, a smaller enclosure, internal power and 4K-video features. It is the safest recommendation for a budget buyer who does not need One X-level game performance.

Best Xbox One graphics: Xbox One X

Choose it for Xbox One X Enhanced games, a 4K television, UHD Blu-ray or improved output on a 1080p screen. It is worthwhile only when its condition and price compare favorably with a newer Series console.

Best download-only option: Xbox One S All-Digital

Choose it only when the price is substantially below a disc-equipped One S and you accept that all games and video must be digital or streamed.

Model to buy only very cheaply: original Xbox One

Its large chassis, external brick and lack of later HDR/4K-video features are difficult to justify if a tested One S costs only modestly more.

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Backward compatibility

Xbox One supports select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, not every title from those systems. Check Microsoft’s current compatibility catalog before buying a specific game.

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A compatible physical disc can act as an ownership check and may trigger a download of the supported version; the disc generally still needs to be present to play. A digital license may appear in the owner’s library, but availability is title-specific. Initial downloads can require an internet connection. The All-Digital Edition cannot authenticate physical discs.

Backward compatibility and Xbox One X enhancement are separate questions: first determine whether the title works on Xbox One at all, then check whether it receives higher resolution, improved textures or other One X benefits. Microsoft describes examples of enhancements across generations in this overview.

Used Xbox One buying checklist

Ask before paying

  • What is the exact model and storage capacity?
  • Does the front have a working disc drive—or is it the All-Digital Edition?
  • Can the seller show Settings > System > Console info?
  • Does the console boot, connect to Xbox services and output video and audio?
  • Does the disc drive read and eject a game or movie?
  • Are the correct controller, cables and, for the original model, external power brick included?
  • Has the console been factory-reset and removed from the seller’s account?
  • Has it been repaired or opened, and is there a return period?

Inspect the hardware

  • Look for blocked vents, heavy dust, liquid damage, corrosion, smoke odor or broken plastic.
  • Check the HDMI port for looseness or damage.
  • Listen for excessive fan noise, grinding, clicking or repeated shutdowns.
  • Check the disc slot and eject mechanism on disc models.
  • Confirm that a launch Xbox One includes its large external power brick.
  • Test every controller button, trigger, thumbstick and battery cover; do not assume the included pad is an official Microsoft controller.

Perform a practical test

  1. Boot to the dashboard.
  2. Connect a controller and verify network connectivity.
  3. Check the displayed storage capacity.
  4. Insert a physical game on disc-equipped models.
  5. Allow the game to install or launch.
  6. Test HDMI video and audio.
  7. Run the console long enough to reveal overheating or shutdown problems.
  8. Confirm the seller has reset the console and removed their account.

If a seller refuses to demonstrate online connectivity or will not offer meaningful returns, treat the console as a higher-risk purchase. A working disc drive, return protection and included accessories can matter more than a small difference in advertised storage.

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Xbox One versus Xbox Series S and Series X

Xbox One hardware is now a legacy-platform purchase. Xbox Series consoles have newer CPUs, SSD storage and stronger long-term support. The Series S is digital-only; the Series X includes a disc drive and is the modern counterpart to the One X for buyers seeking current-generation performance.

Consider an Xbox One when it is clearly cheaper, has the physical media support you need, or is a tested bundle for older games. Consider Series S when you want a newer, download-only console. Consider Series X when you want a disc drive, faster loading and current-generation capability. Do not use historical launch prices as 2026 buying guidance; Microsoft’s June 2026 pricing announcement confirms that current Series pricing can change, so check the live product pages.

Quick identification guide

What you see Likely model
Very large black/two-tone console plus external power brick Original Xbox One
White, smaller console with dotted top, internal power and disc slot Xbox One S
White One S-style console with no disc slot Xbox One S All-Digital Edition
Black, compact, heavy console with internal power and disc slot Xbox One X

For certainty, ask the seller to show the model name in Settings > System > Console info. Do not identify a console from color alone: special editions and bundles can use unusual finishes.

Quick Recap

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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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