Xbox Series X and S: What Are the Main Differences?

Published on 15th February 2024 by Guy Lanham

We've put together everything you need to know about the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S consoles. This will cover:

• Specs of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S
• Typical prices
• Release date
• Accessories
• Some exclusive games

Xbox Series X

The Xbox Series X is the fastest and most powerful Xbox yet, featuring innovative hardware and software features for more dynamic and richer gaming worlds. Designed for speed and performance, the custom 1TB SSD & CPU unlocks new capabilities so you can play more and wait less. This machine can output 4K gaming and up to 120 fps, delivering unparalleled graphical fidelity. For the hardware nerds among you, we have a guide detailing the Xbox Series X specs and features.

Xbox Series S

The Xbox Series S joins the current-generation console line-up. This is an all-digital console that will be the smallest Xbox yet, but still have similar performance to the Xbox Series X. Designed for the digital-first player, this console has a white sleek design perfect for fitting in with your home set-up. Enjoy next-gen speed, custom 512GB SSD, seamless game switching, lightning-fast load times and more! The Xbox Series S will play the Xbox One S version of backwards compatible games with improved texture filtering, higher frame rates, faster load times and Auto HDR.

Xbox Series S Carbon Black

The Xbox Series S Carbon Black is the most recent iteration of the xbox, this time packing a bigger punch than its predecessor. Although it has a slightly higher price point, it makes up for it with an improvement in storage and up to 120 fps of gaming glory, so you can enjoy buttery smooth gameplay! For more details, we have a guide all about the Xbox Series S Carbon Black Console.

SERIES X AND SERIES S SPECIFICATIONS

What is the difference between the two consoles?

The 3 main differences between Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S are the size, resolution, and disc-drive.

• The Xbox Series S is 60% smaller than the Xbox Series X

• The Xbox Series S plays games at 1440p in comparison to the Xbox Series X which plays games at 4K

• The Xbox Series S is a great option for players who don't have a 4K TV

Finally, the Xbox Series S is all-digital, meaning there is no disc-drive. You can carry over any digital games from your previous console, but you can't use previously owned physical discs on the console. On the other hand, the Xbox Series X does have a disc-drive so you can enjoy both physical and digital games on it. It's also worth noting that owners of the Xbox Series S have the option to upgrade to 4K. If storage is a problem, both consoles can also benefit from expanded storage, which is great news for the collectors and hoarders among you.

Price of the Xbox Series X and S

The prices for the consoles are:

Xbox Series X- £459.99 (£429.99 with Frasers Plus)

Xbox Series S- £249.99

Xbox Series S 1TB Carbon Black- £299.99

When were the Xbox Series X and S Released?

Both the Xbox Series X and S consoles were released on November 10th 2020. The Xbox Series S Carbon Black console was released in September 2023.

Where can I buy an Xbox Console?

You can buy a new Xbox console online or in-store (subject to availability).

What are some of the Xbox games and accessories?

The Xbox Wireless Controller

Every powerful console deserves a quality controller. The Xbox Wireless Controller has had a few design tweaks to make it more inclusive as well as improving accessibility and comfort, compared to previous-gen iterations. Performance has been boosted to help support personal playstyles, so you can get a good amount of leverage with minimal movement required - perfect for when you're in the middle of an intense gaming session.

Xbox Exclusive Games

Xbox fortunately offers a few exclusive games for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. For the crazed racer fans among you, there is the popular Forza Motorsport series. For the sci-fi fans, there is Starfield and the Halo series.

What does Optimised for Xbox Series X|S mean?

If you see a logo which says 'Optimised for Xbox Series X|S' on a Xbox game, it means the developer has done extra work to take advantage of the features on Xbox Series X|S. Either the game was built from the ground up purely for Xbox Series X|S, or the original game has had some updates to perform better on the Xbox Series X|S. This could vary from improved visuals, improved frame rates, and more.

Smart Delivery

With Smart Delivery, you can buy a supported game once and always have the best available version for whatever console you play on. Insert your disc and the console will download the best available version. For digital purchases, log-into your account, connect to the Wi-Fi and download the game. The console does all the work so you can spend more time playing!