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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Choose the Xbox Series X if you want native 4K gaming or need a console that can play supported game discs. Choose the Xbox Series S if you’re happy with a 1440p target, buy games digitally, and want a smaller console at a lower listed price in the US configurations compared here. Check the exact storage and disc-drive configuration—and its current local price—before you buy.
Series X vs. Series S at a glance
| Factor | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Gaming resolution target | Designed for native 4K gaming; output depends on the game and display. Xbox Series X | Designed for 1440p gaming and can upscale to 4K; output depends on the game and display. Xbox Series S |
| Disc support | Some configurations have an optical drive for supported discs; an all-digital version is also offered. Verify the model. Xbox console comparison | Digital-only. Disc-based games are incompatible. Xbox Series S |
| Storage configurations | 1TB disc-drive, 1TB all-digital, and 2TB disc-drive options are listed. Xbox console comparison | 512GB and 1TB all-digital options are listed. Xbox console comparison |
| Compared US listed price | $799.99 for the 1TB disc-drive configuration. Xbox console comparison | $499.99 for the 512GB configuration. Xbox console comparison |
| Compared dimensions and weight | 15.1 × 15.1 × 30.1 cm; 9.8 lb. Xbox Series X | 6.5 × 15.1 × 27.5 cm; 4.25 lb. Xbox Series S |
| Graphics hardware | 12 TFLOPS GPU in the compared model. Xbox Series X | 4 TFLOPS GPU. Xbox Series S |
The prices are Xbox US page listings for those specific configurations, not guaranteed retailer prices or prices in other markets. Xbox notes that price and availability can vary by retailer, and options and pricing vary by market. The GPU figures are official specifications, not a substitute for comparisons of performance in a particular game.
Choose based on how you play
Choose Series X for 4K gaming or discs
Series X is the better fit if you want a console designed for native 4K gaming, particularly when paired with a 4K display. It is also the choice if you need an optical drive for supported Xbox game discs. Check the listing carefully: Xbox also offers an all-digital Series X, which does not meet a disc-playback requirement.
Choose Series S for digital gaming and a smaller console
Series S is built for digital games, with a 1440p target and 4K upscaling. Its smaller, lighter design can suit a tighter entertainment setup or a console you need to move. It cannot play disc-based games, so physical copies you own—or plan to buy—will not work on it.
#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.
Don’t decide by resolution alone
Xbox lists a performance target of up to 120 FPS for both console families, subject to supported games and display hardware. Both also list HDMI 2.1, variable refresh rate (VRR), auto low latency mode (ALLM), Quick Resume, and Xbox Velocity Architecture. These shared features do not mean that every game runs at the same resolution or frame rate on both consoles; check the requirements and performance details for the games you care about.
Check the exact configuration and price
The Series X and Series S names cover several configurations. The US comparison page lists these options:
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
- Series X: 1TB with disc drive, 1TB all-digital, and 2TB with disc drive.
- Series S: 512GB and 1TB, both all-digital.
Xbox product pages also show 1TB Series S variants. Since the listed price depends on the chosen configuration and market, compare the exact model at retailers where you plan to buy rather than applying the 1TB disc-drive Series X or 512GB Series S listing to every version.
Plan for storage before your library grows
Internal storage differs by configuration: the compared Series X disc-drive model has 1TB, while Series S is listed with 512GB or 1TB options; Xbox also lists a 2TB Series X. If capacity is a concern, both console families support an Xbox Series X|S Storage Expansion Card. Xbox says the card replicates the custom SSD experience and provides additional game storage at the same performance. USB external HDD support is also listed, but Xbox’s cited pages do not give a detailed comparison of expansion capacities, prices, or load performance.
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.
Understand disc compatibility and older games
Series S owners need compatible digital licenses: Xbox explicitly says disc-based games are incompatible with both the 512GB and 1TB Series S consoles. Adding storage does not add a disc drive. For a physical Xbox library, choose a Series X configuration with an optical drive and confirm that the specific titles are supported.
Xbox says backward compatibility includes select Xbox One, Xbox 360, and Original Xbox games—not every game from those generations. On Series S, access depends on having a compatible digital license; a disc copy cannot provide the license.
Quick Recap
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.
A quick decision checklist
- Pick Series X with a disc drive if playing supported physical games is essential.
- Pick Series X if native 4K gaming is a priority; verify whether the listing is the disc-drive or all-digital version.
- Pick Series S if your games are digital, a 1440p target suits your setup, and its smaller form is useful.
- Compare internal storage and the actual price of each exact configuration in your market before deciding.
- Check game-specific resolution and frame-rate support rather than assuming the stated maximum applies to every title.
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.
