You really want to buy an Xbox but don’t know which model to choose? MeinMMO explains the similarities and differences between Xbox Series X and S.
The most important points at a glance:
- The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are Microsoft’s current consoles and the direct competition to Sony’s PS5.
- The Xbox Series X is the most powerful console and comes with a disc drive. The Xbox Series S relies on slower hardware and has no disc drive, making it only usable digitally.
- With the Xbox Series X, you get the best performance, the finest graphic quality, and 4K performance. The Xbox Series S is especially worth it for casual gamers or as a budget second console alongside the PS5.
- Both consoles are backwards compatible with games for Xbox One, Xbox 360, original Xbox games, and older accessories.
If you want to buy an Xbox, you must choose between the Xbox Series X or the Xbox Series S. But which console is the best for me? MeinMMO explains the similarities and differences between the two Xbox consoles and tells you what to consider when buying.
- Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: Appearance, Design, and Build
- Xbox Series X vs S: Specs and Hardware
- Xbox Series X vs S: Which games?
- Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: Price of the consoles
- Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: Which console is better for me?
Last updates: 14.02.2025, 27.08.2024, 12.03.24, 21.06.22
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: Appearance, Design, and Build
What does the Xbox Series X look like? The Xbox Series X is in a simple black design and is a rectangular cuboid. There are no other special features in the design of the Xbox Series X. Weighing 4.4 kg, the console is about 100 grams lighter than the PS5.
What does the Series S look like? Microsoft opts for a white design with black accents in contrast to the Series X for the Xbox Series S. Nowadays, the Series S is also available in a black design.
Weighing in at 1.9 kg, the Series S is significantly lighter than the Xbox Series X (4.4 kg) or the PS5 (4.5 kg). The Xbox Series S is the smallest next-gen console in terms of size and weight. Microsoft even claims that the Xbox Series S should be 60% smaller than the Series X.
Dimensions and weights of PS5, Xbox Series X, and Series S in comparison:
| Unit | Xbox Series X | PlayStation 5 | PlayStation 5 Digital | Xbox Series S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions in cm | 30.1 x 15.1 x 15.1 | 39 x 10.4 x 26 | 39 x 9.2 x 26 | 27.5 x 6.5 x 15.1 |
| Weight | 4.4 kg | 4.5 kg | 3.9 kg | 1.9 kg |
Xbox Series X vs S: Specs and Hardware
What does the Xbox Series X offer? The Xbox Series X is equipped with an AMD processor with a graphics chip. The processor clocks at 3.8 GHz and the graphics chip has a raw performance of 12 teraflops. In addition, it has 16 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD with a write speed of 2.4 GB/s. The Xbox Series X supports Full HD, WQHD, 4K, and 8K resolutions. What teraflops are and what they bring can be read on MeinMMO.
What does the Xbox Series S offer? An AMD processor is also installed in the Xbox Series S. The CPU runs slightly slower than in the Series X, and the graphics chip is also slightly slower. The Xbox Series S can be purchased with either 512 GB or 1 TB of storage.
What do both consoles offer? On both consoles, you can play all the current Xbox games and use the Xbox Game Pass. Both consoles also offer hardware-based ray tracing, making the games look even better. Backward compatibility with older Xbox consoles is also included on both consoles.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series X in comparison:
| Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S | |
|---|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | AMD Zen 2 (8 cores, 3.8 GHz) | AMD Zen 2 (8 cores, 3.6 GHz) |
| Graphics card (GPU) | AMD RDNA2 with 1.845 MHz | AMD RDNA2 with 1.565 MHz |
| Graphics chip performance (GPU) | 12 teraflops | 4 teraflops |
| Hard drive storage | 1 TB SSD (2.4 GB/s) | 512 GB or 1 TB SSD (2.4 GB/s) |
| RAM (RAM) | 16 GB GDDR6 | 10 GB GDDR6 |
| Frame Rate | up to 120 Hz, Variable Rate Shading | up to 120 Hz, Variable Refresh Rate |
| Resolution | up to 4K (native or upscaled), support for 8K | up to 1440p at 60 FPS, up to 120 FPS possible. 4K Upscaling |
Xbox Series X vs S: Which games?
Which games can you play on the Xbox Series X? On the Xbox Series X, you can play all the current top titles. You can also subscribe to the Game Pass and gain access to hundreds of additional games. With a trick, you can even save money with Xbox Game Pass.
Additionally, you can also use old Xbox 360 and Xbox One game discs with the Xbox Series X. Thanks to backward compatibility, the Xbox supports almost all games from older Xbox generations.
Which games can you play on the Xbox Series S? On the Xbox Series X, you can also play all current top titles and have access to the Game Pass as well. However, you will have to compromise on performance and can play your games at a maximum of WQHD resolution.
Since the Series S has no disc drive, you cannot use your old games from older consoles. If you want to use the Xbox’s backward compatibility on the Series S and play old Xbox 360 games on the Series S, you will need to have purchased them digitally.
Another disadvantage compared to the Series X: When you start Xbox One games on the Xbox Series S, you can only play them in Full HD resolution (1080p) and not in higher resolutions of up to 4K, as the Xbox Series X provides.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: Price of the consoles
How much does the Xbox Series X cost? The Xbox Series X currently costs 549 Euros. The package of the Xbox Series X includes an “Xbox Series X” console, a controller, an HDMI cable, and a power cable.
How much does the Xbox Series S cost? The Xbox Series S currently costs 299 Euros. The package of the Xbox Series S includes an “Xbox Series S” console, a controller, an HDMI cable, and a power cable. Nowadays, you can also get the console for 270 Euros.
What special feature is there? However, you can also buy Xbox consoles as a subscription with the Xbox Game Pass. Here you pay a fixed price over 24 months instead of the full price (as of March 2024):
- Xbox Series X (1 TB): 35.99 Euros per month (24 months), including 24 months Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
- Xbox Series S (1 TB): 26.99 Euros per month (24 months), including 24 months Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
- Xbox Series S (512 GB): 24.99 Euros per month (24 months), including 24 months Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
MeinMMO explains to you, how Xbox All Access works and whether the offer is worth it.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S: Which console is better for me?
What speaks for the Xbox Series X: On paper, the Xbox Series X is currently the fastest console on the market. If you want the fastest console with 4K resolution and BluRay drive, then you cannot go past the Xbox Series X. If you have a large collection of disc games or many movies on BluRay, then the Series X will also be the better alternative for you.
What speaks for the Xbox Series S: The Xbox Series S is currently the cheapest next-gen console at around 280 Euros. It is especially suitable for gamers who don’t care about 4K and do not want to invest in a 4K TV in the near future.
The Series S is also suitable compared to the Xbox Series X for people who have already purchased an Xbox Series X or PS5 and are looking for a second console for their bedroom or children’s room. You can also find an extensive buying guide about the Xbox Series S here on MeinMMO:
Xbox Series X and Series S – The main similarities
- Both consoles offer DTS 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos, and Windows Sonic.
- Both X and S offer Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and HDR (High Dynamic Range).
- Both devices offer 3x USB 3.1 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, 802.11ac WLAN, and 1 Gbit/s Ethernet.
- Both the Xbox Series X and Series S include a controller and an HDMI cable.
- Both consoles are backwards compatible with games for Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games.
- Both Xbox Series X and S are compatible with old accessories from Xbox One.
- With both consoles, you can use the Xbox Game Pass (Ultimate).
Xbox Series X and Series S – The main differences
- The Xbox Series S offers a maximum resolution of WQHD (1440p). While you can use 4K, it is not “real” 4K like with the Series X. The Series X offers native 4K.
- The Xbox Series X does not have a BluRay drive installed. Therefore, you cannot use disc games or watch BluRays.
- The Xbox Series S contains a weaker chip that runs slower and provides less performance (4 vs 12 teraflops).
- The Xbox Series S is available in both black and white.
- The Xbox Series S is smaller and significantly lighter (4.4 kg vs 1.9 kg).
- You can only play “Xbox One” games on the Series S in Full HD resolution (1080p), while the Xbox Series X supports higher resolutions of up to 4K.
Conclusion: Buy Xbox Series X or Series S?
The Xbox Series X is currently Microsoft’s top model and here you get objectively the best Xbox system. The Series X offers more computing power, games in 4K at 120 Hz, with HDR and VRR. Added to this is backward compatibility.
The Xbox Series S is “only” a trimmed-down version without a drive, with which you can still enjoy games in 1440p or upscaled 4K.
Xbox Series X or Series S:
- If you want 4K gaming in beautiful graphics and the current fastest console on the market, then buy the Xbox Series X.
- If you have many games in the form of DVDs or Blu-rays and enjoy buying used games, then the Xbox Series X is the better console.
- If you’re looking for a budget second console alongside the PS5, an Xbox Series X, or a PC, then check out the Series S.
- If you can do without 4K and don’t want to upgrade in the future, then the Xbox Series S is the better option.
- Casual gamers who play a few rounds of FIFA, Fortnite, and the like and don’t require high performance should also take a look at the Xbox Series S.
Xbox or rather PS5? Do you want to buy a PS5 or Xbox but don’t know which console to choose? MeinMMO explains in a detailed guide what both consoles offer and which one is best suited for you: PS5 vs Xbox Series X – Which console should I buy?
