The Xbox Series X stands as a testament to Microsoft’s ambitious vision for next-generation gaming, blending unparalleled performance with lightning-fast loading times and a robust library of games spanning multiple Xbox generations. As the flagship console, the Series X delivers an impressive 12 teraflops of graphical power, ensuring visually stunning and smooth gameplay. Its design, though monolithic and large, is sleek and functional, optimized for efficient cooling and quiet operation.
The user interface remains familiar to Xbox One users, providing a seamless transition with comprehensive options for managing games, apps and multimedia. Notably, the Quick Resume feature enhances the gaming experience by allowing players to switch between multiple games with minimal load times, making it easy to dive back into the action at any moment.
In terms of compatibility, the Xbox Series X shines with its commitment to backward compatibility, supporting games from all previous Xbox generations. This feature, combined with the Auto HDR function, breathes new life into older titles, offering enhanced visuals and performance.
The console’s powerful hardware ensures that even games with high-performance demands run smoothly, showcasing the Series X’s capability to handle intense gaming sessions. Additionally, the new Xbox Wireless Controller, with its ergonomic design and subtle improvements, adds to the overall user experience, making gameplay comfortable and precise. The Series X, with its balance of power, design and extensive game library, solidifies its place as a leading contender in the next-gen console market.
Specifications
| Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $500, £449, AU$749 | $300, £249, AU$499 |
| Processor | Custom AMD Zen 2, 8-core, 3.8GHz | Custom AMD Zen 2, 8-core, 3.8GHz |
| GPU | AMD RDNA 2, 12 teraflops, 1.8 GHz | AMD RDNA 2, 4 teraflops, 1.6 GHz |
| RAM | 16GB | 10GB |
| Storage | 1TB | 512GB |
| Display (Targeted) | 4K, 60 fps | 1440p, 60 fps |
| Display (Max) | 8K, 120 fps | 1440p, 120 fps |
Pros
- Comprehensive Xbox experience
- High performance
- Fast loading times
- Sleek and efficient design
- Excellent backwards compatibility
Cons
- Limited next-gen launch titles
- Large and heavy
Price and Availability
The Xbox Series X debuted at $499 in the U.S. in November 2020, with initial prices in the U.K. at £499 (later adjusted to £479) and in Australia at AU$749 (later increased to AU$799). Initially difficult to find, the Series X is now more readily available, with significant discounts even outside major sales periods. For example, it was offered for $349 during the holiday season, including a free copy of Diablo 4, with similar deals expected in the future.
Design
The Xbox Series X has a small-form-factor PC appearance, particularly when upright. Its monolithic, clean design appeals to those who prefer an understated look. Measuring 15.1 x 15.1 x 30.1 cm (5.9 x 5.9 x 11.9 inches) and weighing 9.8 pounds, it is larger and bulkier than many consoles, though not as large as the PS5. It can be challenging to fit into an entertainment unit unless placed horizontally, for which soft pads prevent slipping.
When placed on its side, the Series X may seem clunky, but it looks sleek when upright, especially with the green accents visible through the top vent. The cooling system works best in a vertical orientation, drawing cool air from the bottom and venting warm air from the top, running quietly despite the vent getting warm. This design reflects the advanced engineering that accommodates powerful hardware in a compact form, making it difficult to find a gaming PC with similar capabilities in such a small package. On a desktop, the Series X pairs well with a 4K or high-refresh-rate monitor, looking quite attractive.
Ports
The front of the Xbox Series X features a single USB 3.1 Type-A port, a Blu-ray disc drive and a wireless controller pairing button, maintaining a clean look. The back offers more ports: one HDMI 2.1 port essential for 8K gaming and 120 fps on compatible TVs, two additional USB 3.1 ports for external storage, an Ethernet port and a Kensington lock. The absence of an optical audio connection and HDMI-in port, which were present on the Xbox One and One X, might inconvenience users with advanced audio systems, though the HDMI connection still supports Dolby Atmos and surround sound. The removal of the HDMI-in port reduces connection errors.
A significant feature is the expansion slot for a proprietary external PCIe 4.0 SSD, allowing for an additional 1TB of fast storage.
Interface and Quick Resume
The user interface of the Xbox Series X is nearly identical to that of the Xbox One, offering numerous options for managing games and apps, transferring data and calibrating HDR displays and audio equipment. Features like remote console access and game streaming over local Wi-Fi continue from the Xbox One, with plans to support streaming over cellular broadband. With an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, users can stream Xbox games to an Android device, syncing progress across the Series X and Xbox One. This cross-platform syncing is a standout feature, pulling cloud saves and allowing seamless continuation of games.
The UI prominently features Xbox Game Pass, highlighting new additions to the service, though this focus can make it a bit cluttered compared to the cleaner PS4 interface. Familiarity with the Xbox One UI makes transitioning to the Series X easy, emphasizing it as the flagship for the Xbox ecosystem rather than a radically new console.
One standout feature is Quick Resume, allowing multiple games to be loaded simultaneously. Users can switch between games and return to the exact point they left off. While not instantaneous, it’s significantly faster than loading from scratch and is now supported by more optimized games. This feature is especially useful for quickly switching between single-player and multiplayer games.
Performance
The Xbox Series X showcases its 12 teraflops of graphics power effectively with more optimized games now available. “Assassin’s Creed Valhalla” is a notable title, displaying impressive visuals and benefiting from the Series X hardware. Initially, performance issues like frame rate drops and screen tearing were evident, but a major patch improved stability, targeting 60 frames per second with dynamic resolution scaling from 4K to 1440p during intense action.
Backwards Compatibility
The Xbox Series X delivers impressively on its backwards compatibility promise. Running Xbox games from any generation is straightforward: insert the disc and if it’s compatible, the installation begins. Xbox Game Pass users can download older games directly.
Older games don’t immediately utilize the Series X’s full graphical power but benefit from faster SSD loading times. Games running poorly on older hardware perform more smoothly on the Series X. However, games locked at 30 frames per second won’t automatically run at higher frame rates unless optimized. For example, “Red Dead Redemption” runs at 4K/30 fps, similar to the One X. However, “Assassin’s Creed 2” loads faster and feels smoother on the Series X compared to the Xbox 360.
Xbox One games with high-performance targets or dynamic resolution scaling run at their best settings on the Series X, thanks to its raw power. The Series X operates these games in a backwards compatibility mode, meaning they won’t fully benefit from the RDNA 2 architecture unless optimized later. Microsoft could encourage developers to patch older games for the Series X or create a system to harness its power for older games. The backward-compatible library continues to expand, with Microsoft adding 76 more original Xbox and Xbox 360 games, including 37 with FPS Boost for higher frame rates without developer intervention.
A noteworthy feature is Auto HDR, applying high dynamic range to games not originally designed for it. In “Red Dead Redemption” and “Gears of War Ultimate Edition,” this effect works well, although it can occasionally overexpose scenes. Despite potential issues, it generally enhances older games, making the Series X arguably the best console for playing Xbox games across generations.
Controller
The Xbox controllers have been a favorite since the Xbox 360 and the new Xbox Wireless Controller continues this legacy with subtle improvements. At first glance, it looks similar to the Xbox One controller but features enhancements like textured triggers and an improved D-pad.
The Xbox Wireless Controller has been one of the most comfortable controllers and the new version adds extra features. The most noticeable change is the addition of a share button for easy screenshot and recording sharing. The D-pad is now a concave disk, providing more precision, especially for traditional beat-em-ups. The controller’s finish has a matte look, with a smokier black appearance and the Xbox button is now all-black.
FAQs
What sets the Xbox Series X apart from previous Xbox consoles?
The Xbox Series X distinguishes itself from previous Xbox consoles with its significant advancements in hardware and performance. It features a custom AMD Zen 2 processor, 12 teraflops of graphics power with the AMD RDNA 2 architecture and 16GB of RAM. This powerful combination enables support for 4K gaming at 60 fps, with the potential to reach up to 8K at 120 fps. Additionally, the console boasts superfast SSD storage, drastically reducing load times and enhancing overall gaming performance. The Series X also includes extensive backward compatibility, allowing users to play games from all previous Xbox generations with improved performance and visual fidelity.
How does the design of the Xbox Series X contribute to its performance?
The Xbox Series X’s design is both functional and aesthetic. Its monolithic shape and vertical orientation optimize airflow, with cool air being drawn from the bottom and warm air expelled from the top. This efficient cooling system ensures that the powerful hardware remains cool and operates quietly, even during intense gaming sessions. The console’s clean and unfussy appearance allows it to blend seamlessly into entertainment setups, whether standing upright or lying horizontally. Its compact yet substantial build also supports its high-performance components, making it a well-engineered piece of gaming hardware.
What is Quick Resume and how does it enhance the gaming experience on the Xbox Series X?
Quick Resume is a standout feature of the Xbox Series X that significantly enhances the gaming experience by allowing players to suspend and resume multiple games simultaneously. This means users can switch between different games and pick up right where they left off without having to reload from the start. The feature leverages the console’s fast SSD storage, ensuring transitions are swift and seamless. Quick Resume is particularly useful for players who enjoy juggling various single-player and multiplayer games, as it minimizes downtime and keeps the focus on gameplay.