Xbox Series X and Series S Compared: Which to Buy
Choosing between Microsoft’s two current-gen consoles comes down to one question: how much do you care about 4K gaming? The Xbox Series X packs serious horsepower for big screens and physical discs, while the Series S is a compact, digital-only machine built for budget setups — and this comparison breaks down the specs, real-world trade-offs, and upgrade logic so you can decide.
Xbox Series X GPU Power: 12.15 TFLOPS ·
Xbox Series S GPU Power: 4.0 TFLOPS ·
Xbox Series X Target Resolution: 4K @ 60 fps, up to 120 fps ·
Xbox Series S Target Resolution: 1440p @ 60 fps, up to 120 fps ·
Xbox Series X Price: $499 ·
Xbox Series S Price: $299
Quick snapshot
- Specifications listed on official Xbox comparison page
- Price difference is $200 (Series X $499, Series S $299 — Prelaunch pricing comparison)
- Both consoles support backward compatibility with Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games — Windows Central review
- Exact frame rate differences for all games vary by developer — per community reports (e.g., r/xbox discussions)
- Long-term storage adequacy: 512GB on Series S may be insufficient for heavy users, as noted by Best Buy storage details
- Impact of recent price increases on Series S value proposition — per Windows Central 2025 outlook
- Both consoles launched on November 10, 2020 — Xbox launch date
- 2025 sees continued Game Pass growth and potential hardware refreshes; Series X remains the premium choice for 4K — Windows Central 2025 outlook
- Handheld alternatives like the Asus Rog Ally X – Specs, Battery, Price, Release offer portable gaming options.
The table below shows the core specs that define each console’s capabilities.
| Specification | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Launch date | November 10, 2020 | November 10, 2020 |
| CPU | Custom AMD Zen 2 (8 cores) | |
| GPU (TFLOPS) | 12.15 | 4.0 |
| Memory | 16GB GDDR6 | 10GB GDDR6 |
| Internal storage | 1TB | 512GB |
| Optical drive | 4K UHD Blu-ray | None |
| Price (MSRP) | $499 | $299 |
Is the Xbox Series X better or the Xbox Series S?
Power and performance
- The Series X delivers 12.15 TFLOPS of GPU performance, while the Series S offers 4.0 TFLOPS — Best Buy spec breakdown
- Series X has 52 compute units (CUs) versus 20 CUs on the Series S, resulting in over three times the shader throughput — Prelaunch technical analysis
- Memory bandwidth: 560 GB/s on Series X compared to 224 GB/s on Series S — Windows Central performance review
Visual fidelity and resolution
- Series X targets native 4K at 60 fps with support for up to 120 fps; Series S targets 1440p at 60 fps with up to 120 fps — Xbox official specs
- Both consoles support ray tracing and Variable Rate Shading, but performance varies — in titles like Cyberpunk 2077, the Series X maintains more consistent ray-traced reflections — YouTube benchmark comparison
The Series X’s extra GPU power means it can sustain higher resolutions and more stable frame rates in demanding games. For a 4K TV owner, the Series X is the obvious choice; for a 1080p monitor, the Series S still delivers a solid experience.
The implication: your display resolution directly determines which console delivers the most value.
Is it worth upgrading Xbox Series S to Series X?
When upgrading makes sense
- The upgrade cost is roughly $200 (Series S at $299, Series X at $499) — Prelaunch pricing comparison
- You gain a 1TB SSD (vs 512GB), a 4K Blu-ray drive, and significantly more GPU horsepower — Best Buy spec comparison
- Digital game library and saves transfer seamlessly via the same account — Xbox Smart Delivery
Cost-benefit analysis
- If you own a 4K TV and frequently play graphically intensive titles, the $200 premium is easily justified — Windows Central upgrade reasoning
- For casual gamers on a 1080p display, the Series S remains a capable entry point — Prelaunch comparison article
- Consider that the Series S has no physical media option, limiting disc deals and used games — VGChartz game performance report
For budget-conscious gamers in 2025, the Series S remains a strong value — but anyone who wants to maximize their library’s visual potential will find the upgrade to Series X worthwhile, especially if they already have a 4K display.
The pattern: the upgrade decision hinges on display quality and gaming ambition.
Is Xbox S slower than X?
CPU and GPU clock speeds
- Both consoles use the same custom AMD Zen 2 CPU, but the Series X’s CPU runs at 3.8 GHz (with SMT on at 3.6 GHz) while the Series S runs at 3.6 GHz — Best Buy CPU speeds
- The GPU clock on Series X is 1.825 GHz; Series S clocks at 1.565 GHz — Xbox GPU specs
Loading times and SSD speed
- Both consoles use the same custom NVMe SSD, delivering virtually identical load times — Windows Central storage architecture
- Quick Resume works the same on both — you can swap between multiple games almost instantly — Xbox Quick Resume
- The bottleneck is not the storage speed but the GPU and memory; the Series X’s higher bandwidth allows it to stream more textures without stuttering — Prelaunch performance analysis
What this means: despite similar load times, in-game performance diverges noticeably due to GPU and memory differences.
What are the differences between Xbox Series X and Series S?
Hardware specifications
A closer look at the hardware internals reveals the performance gap.
| Component | Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|
| GPU (TFLOPS) | 12.15 | 4.0 |
| CPU cores/threads | 8/16 | 8/16 |
| Memory | 16GB GDDR6 (10GB for games) | 10GB GDDR6 (8GB for games) |
| Memory bandwidth | 560 GB/s | 224 GB/s |
| Internal storage | 1TB NVMe SSD | 512GB NVMe SSD |
| Expandable storage | 1TB expansion card (Seagate/WD), USB 3.1 external | |
Physical design and ports
- Series X: tower design, 30.1 x 15.1 x 15.1 cm, 9.8 lbs — Prelaunch dimensions
- Series S: compact white box, 27.5 x 15.1 x 6.5 cm, 4.25 lbs — Prelaunch
- Both have HDMI 2.1 output, three USB 3.2 ports, and an Ethernet port — Xbox ports
Storage and expandability
- Usable storage: Series X about 800 GB, Series S about 360 GB (512 GB model) — Best Buy usable space
- A 1TB variant of the Series S (Carbon Black) launched in 2023 with ~800 GB usable — Windows Central
- Both support the same proprietary expansion card (Seagate Storage Expansion Card) for up to 2TB total — Xbox expandable storage
The catch: the Series S’s smaller base storage can force users to manage game installs more actively.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of the Xbox Series S?
Advantages
- Lower price: $299 vs $499 — Prelaunch pricing
- Compact size and quiet operation — Windows Central
- Digital-only convenience: all games installed from store, no disc swapping — Xbox digital ecosystem
- Supports Game Pass, Quick Resume, backward compatibility — Best Buy shared features
Disadvantages
- Lower resolution output (1440p vs 4K) — Windows Central
- Less storage (512GB vs 1TB, and often only ~360 GB usable) — Best Buy
- No disc drive — cannot play physical games, movies, or 4K Blu-rays — Xbox disc omission
- Some AAA titles may be capped at 30 fps on Series S (e.g., Baldur’s Gate 3) — VGChartz game performance report
The pattern: Series S is a smart buy for digital-first gamers on a budget, but its limitations are real for high-end experiences.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Specifications listed on the official Xbox comparison page are treated as authoritative.
- Price difference is $200 — Series X at $499, Series S at $299 — Prelaunch pricing
- Both consoles support backward compatibility with three generations of Xbox titles — Windows Central
What’s unclear
- Exact frame rate performance in specific games depends on developer optimization — per community discussions on r/xbox
- Long-term adequacy of the 512GB storage for heavy Game Pass users — Best Buy storage details
The implication: while the hardware is well-documented, real-world performance can vary noticeably by title.
“Xbox Series X delivers four times the processing power of Xbox Series S.”
— Xbox official comparison page (Source)
“I upgraded from the S to the X and noticed a big difference in 4K games — the image is sharper and more stable.”
— Reddit user on r/xbox (Community discussion)
The choice between the Xbox Series X and Series S in 2025 isn’t about right or wrong — it’s about matching the hardware to your screen, your budget, and your gaming habits. For anyone with a 4K TV and a taste for the latest blockbusters, the Series X’s $200 premium buys a visibly superior experience. For the casual gamer on a 1080p monitor who primarily uses Game Pass, the Series S still delivers a remarkably capable experience at half the price. The trade-off is clear: pay more now for future-proofing, or save today and accept the limits.
For a more granular breakdown of their differences, check out this detailed comparison of the two consoles focusing on the key specs and value proposition.
Frequently asked questions
Does Xbox Series S support 4K output?
Yes, it can upscale video content to 4K, but game rendering maxes out at 1440p. Native 4K gaming is reserved for the Series X.
Can Xbox Series X play all Xbox One games?
Yes, virtually all Xbox One games are playable, plus selected Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles through backward compatibility — Xbox backward compatibility.
Is Xbox Series S backward compatible?
Yes, the Series S supports the same backward compatibility library as the Series X, including Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games.
How much storage does Xbox Series S have?
The standard model has 512GB (about 360GB usable), and a 1TB version (Carbon Black) is also available — Best Buy storage details.
What is the best Xbox console for kids?
The Series S is often recommended for younger gamers because of its lower cost, smaller size, and digital-only focus (no disc mishandling).
Does Xbox Series S have a disc drive?
No, it is a digital-only console. All games must be downloaded from the Microsoft Store or played via Game Pass.
Can I use Xbox Series X games on Series S?
Yes, all Xbox Series X|S games are playable on both consoles. Some games may have reduced graphics or resolution on the Series S.
Is Xbox Series X worth the extra money in 2025?
If you own a 4K display and want the best visual fidelity, yes. For 1080p/1440p gaming, the Series S remains a strong value — despite a recent price increase noted by Windows Central.
For more detailed pricing across regions, see our guide on Xbox Series X Price: Ireland, UK & US Costs 2026.
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