Xbox One X VS Xbox One S: Differences Explained
Microsoft’s current-gen console, the Xbox One, acts as one of the best ways to experience modern-day gaming in all its glory, being the gateway to such stories triple-A franchises as Gears of War, Halo and Forza Horizon. Things can get a little complex when the time comes to purchase the console itself, however, thanks to there being two SKUs currently on the market: the Xbox One X and Xbox One S. The good news is that both cater to two wildly different types of player, which makes electing which of the two is best for you. Here we’ll break down the benefits of both!
Xbox One X Vs Xbox One S: At A Glance
| Specs | Xbox One S | Xbox One X |
|---|---|---|
| Storage Capacity | 1TB | 1TB |
| Supports 4K | Yes | Yes |
| Power | 1.4 teraflops | 6.0 teraflops |
| Memory | 8GB | 12GB |
| USB Ports | 3 | 3 |
| Backwards Compatible | Yes | Yes |
| Noise level | 46 decibels | 50 decibels |
Xbox One X Vs Xbox One S: Hardware
When it comes to the internal hardware, the Xbox One S and Xbox One X both make significant advancements over what we got in the original 2013 launch Xbox One model. The Xbox One X – being the model catered to those who care about graphics – features an eight-core CPU to be more specific, alongside 12GB of GDDR5 RAM and a memory bandwidth of 326GB/s. This results in an Xbox One that is roughly 40% more powerful than any other console on the market, allowing games to be played at native 4K resolution with smooth frame rates and improved HDR (High Dynamic Range).
The Xbox One S, by comparison, isn’t able to run games at eye-widening 4K, but still improves the way games look by upscaling their 1080p resolution to something more resembling 4K. It’s the Xbox One model more suited to those looking for an affordable way to play current games. It only features 1.4 TFLOPs of power compared to the X’s 6.0, but the Xbox One S’s slightly faster GPU gives it a slight edge performance-wise over the Xbox One variant it replaced in 2016.
Winner: Xbox One X
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Xbox One X 1TB console bundled with:
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Xbox One X 1TB console bundled with:
Out of Stock
Xbox One X Vs Xbox One S: Design
When the original Xbox One console launched way back in 2013, critics quickly took note of just how large the unit itself was. The good news is that Microsoft used the release of the Xbox One S and Xbox One X to resolve this issue, with both consoles being significantly smaller than what came before. The Xbox One X measures in at just 300 x 240 x 60 mm, while the Xbox One S is just slightly smaller at 295 x 230 x 64 mm. This means that anyone upgrading from a 2013 Xbox One to either of these newer models will easily be able to fit them into their entertainment centre.
Other small design changes include the absence of the power brick, which will be music to the ears of anyone that struggled to fit it behind their TV when connecting up the original Xbox One. Both the Xbox One S and Xbox One X still retain an optical disc drive, except for the recently announced Xbox One S All-Digital Edition that completely removes it – geared towards those wanting to do away with physical game discs.
Winner: Tie
Xbox One X Vs Xbox One S: Price
Constantly referred to by Microsoft as “the world’s most powerful console”, the unfortunate reality is that the Xbox One X’s increased boost in power comes with a slightly higher price point. The current MSRP for the Xbox One X stands at $499, but a lot of this cost can be somewhat offset by picking one up as part of a bundle. There are numerous Xbox One X bundles released every year, meaning that when you pick one up that includes a new game release you ostensibly get it for free.
By comparison, the Xbox One S is a smaller, neater model of Microsoft’s console that has been specifically designed with affordability in mind. The Xbox One S has an MSRP of $249 (half that of the Xbox One X), but can always be found on sale throughout the year. Don’t forget that the Xbox One S comes with a 4K Blu-Ray player built-in even if it can’t play games natively at that quality. It’s added value at a reasonable price point!
Winner: Xbox One S
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Xbox One S 500GB console bundled with:
- Minecraft Explorer's Pack
- Minecraft Story Mode: The Complete Adventure
- Xbox Live 3 Months Gold Membership
- Minecraft Explorer’s pack
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Xbox One X Vs Xbox One S: Games
It doesn’t matter whether you choose the Xbox One S or Xbox One X in terms of games, as all the Xbox One library will work on both. The major difference comes in how slightly better most will look when played on the latter. Games like Far Cry 5 and Devil May Cry 5, for example, have been developed with mid-generation upgrades like Xbox One X and PS4 Pro in mind, meaning that they can take advantage of these more powerful console’s extra power to output them in native 4K resolution and improved HDR (High dynamic Range). Below is a list of Xbox One games that make the most of Xbox One X advanced capabilities:
- Apex Legends
- Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
- Devil May Cry 5
- FIFA 19
- Far Cry 5
- Just Cause 4
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- Resident Evil 2
Winner: Tie
Xbox One X Vs Xbox One S: Our Verdict
Ultimately, the Xbox One X should be the preferred choice for players wanting to experience the best visuals home console gaming has to offer. It’s worth noting that experience the Xbox One X in all its glory you’ll need a 4K television setup. The Xbox One S, by comparison, costs almost half the price of its older brother, still bringing with it glorious 1080p visuals and a 4K-ready Blu-Ray player. It all comes down to which factor you prioritise: graphics or affordability.