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The Xbox Series S is a good buy if you want a compact, all-digital current-generation Xbox, you already buy or plan to buy your games digitally, and you are comfortable with a 1440p target rather than native 4K. It is a weaker choice if you own a large disc collection, need native 4K output, or are choosing mainly on price. Its budget appeal has also weakened since launch: Windows Central’s 2025 review argues it is no longer “cheap.”
Who the Series S suits
- Digital-library players. The console does not read game discs, so every game has to be downloaded or already held in your digital library.
- Buyers with limited space. Microsoft lists the dimensions as 27.5 × 15.1 × 6.5 cm and the weight as 1.92 kg, which makes it one of the smaller current Xbox consoles to fit on a shelf or under a TV.
- Players who do not need native 4K. Microsoft positions the console for 1440p gaming with 4K upscaling.
Readers with a substantial disc library, a strong preference for native 4K, or a purchase decision driven mainly by price should compare it directly with the Series X before buying, as covered below.
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Hardware at a glance
The table lists the specifications that Microsoft publishes on its Microsoft Store product page for Xbox Series S, accessed 8 October 2026. Specification details can change, so confirm them on that page before purchase.
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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute| Feature | Xbox Series S, as listed by Microsoft |
|---|---|
| Memory | 10GB GDDR6 |
| Internal storage (512GB configuration) | 512GB custom NVMe SSD |
| Internal storage (1TB configuration) | Storage size listed as 1TB; internal SSD specification not stated in the cited product page |
| Target resolution | 1440p gaming, with 4K upscaling |
| Frame rate | Performance target up to 120 FPS, conditional on supported content and a compatible display |
| Display features | HDMI 2.1, variable refresh rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, AMD FreeSync |
| Optical drive | None; the console is all-digital |
| Dimensions | 27.5 × 15.1 × 6.5 cm |
| Weight | 1.92 kg |
Microsoft also states that the Series S shares Xbox Velocity Architecture features, including faster loading and Quick Resume, with the Series X. These are platform features. They do not mean every game performs identically on both consoles.
#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.
Resolution and frame rate: what 1440p and 120 FPS actually mean
Microsoft’s design target for Series S is 1440p at 60 FPS, with support up to 120 FPS. Jason Ronald, Xbox Series X director, put it this way in an Xbox Wire interview:
“with Xbox Series S you get all of the same great next-gen capabilities and benefits, but Xbox Series S is designed to deliver games at 1440P at 60 frames a second with support all the way up to 120 frames per second.”
Two conditions matter here. First, the 120 FPS figure depends on the game supporting it. Second, it depends on a display that can show it, which is where the HDMI 2.1 and variable refresh rate features listed above come in. Resolution and frame rate also vary from game to game, so the console’s maximum figures are not a guarantee for every title. Check the performance settings of the specific games you plan to play rather than assuming the headline numbers apply.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Xbox 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 FP.
- HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
Discs and backward compatibility
Physical discs
The Series S cannot play game discs, including backward-compatible disc games. If your library is mostly on disc, this is the single biggest factor in choosing it over the Series X, which includes a UHD Blu-ray drive.
Backward-compatible games
Microsoft says the Series S supports thousands of games across four Xbox generations, and it describes Smart Delivery for participating games. On this console, backward-compatible games must be in your digital library. Disc-based copies of those games will not run.
Storage: 512GB, 1TB, and expansion options
The 512GB model
The 512GB configuration has the 512GB custom NVMe SSD listed in Microsoft’s specifications. Before buying it, list the games you want installed at the same time and compare that list with the usable space on the console. Storage is the most common practical limit reported for this model, and it is one of the compromises that Windows Central identifies in its review.
Rank #3
- Access your favorite entertainment through apps like YouTube, Netflix, and more
- Enjoy over 100 games right out of the box with a 1 month Xbox Game Pass trial
- Watch 4K Blu-ray movies and stream 4K video on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Microsoft Movies & TV, and more
- Play with friends and family near and farsitting together on the sofa or around the world on Xbox Live, the fastest, most reliable gaming network
- Xbox One games and accessories work together
The 1TB model
The 1TB configuration gives the same console design more room for installed games. The cost difference is covered in the price section below.
Seagate expansion card
Microsoft recommends the 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S for the best experience. It connects through the dedicated rear port and provides additional storage at the same performance as the custom internal SSD. This is the documented route to internal-SSD-level performance for added storage. The card’s price was not stated in the cited sources, so check its current retail price before buying.
External USB storage
Microsoft also lists USB 3.1 external hard drive support. The performance-matching claim applies to the Seagate expansion card specifically. Microsoft does not make the same claim for external USB drives, so treat them as a capacity option rather than a performance equivalent.
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.
Series S vs Series X
| Factor | Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| Native resolution positioning | 1440p gaming with 4K upscaling | Native 4K, per Microsoft’s positioning |
| Physical disc support | No disc drive; all-digital | Includes a UHD Blu-ray drive |
| Storage configurations | 512GB and 1TB | Not stated in the cited sources |
| Seagate 1TB expansion card | Supported; same performance as the internal SSD, per Microsoft | Supported; Microsoft lists the card for Series X|S |
| 2025 US full price (Windows Central) | $379.99 (512GB); $429.99 (1TB) | Not stated in the cited sources |
The Series X is the better choice for native 4K and disc play. The Series S is the better choice when the disc drive and 4K output are not important to you and a small footprint is.
Price and value
Windows Central’s review, updated 3 May 2025, reported US full prices of $379.99 for the 512GB model and $429.99 for the 1TB model. These are historical figures from that article, not current prices. Retail prices differ by region and change over time, so confirm your local price before deciding. The review’s central argument is that the console’s value is now less clear-cut than it once was, because the gap between Series S and the more capable Series X has to be weighed against the price you actually pay.
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Where the Series S falls short
- Some demanding games expose its lower performance ceiling. Windows Central cites development delays and optimization challenges in some titles. These are examples from one review, not a verdict on every game.
- Base storage is tight. The 512GB configuration limits how many large games you can keep installed without managing storage or adding an expansion card.
- Price positioning has weakened. The 2025 review argues the console is no longer the obvious budget choice, so compare it with the current local price of the Series X and with any other options you are considering.
Windows Central also praises the console’s compactness and its access to current Xbox games, and it is those strengths that make the Series S a sensible choice for the reader profile described at the start of this article.
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.
