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If you've been gaming on the Xbox Series S, you might be wondering whether it's time to upgrade to the Series X. Buying a new console is an investment, so we're here to help you spend your money wisely. We'll list all the reasons it might be time to upgrade to the Xbox Series X after all.
What Features Do the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X Share?
You might be surprised to learn that Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X have several similarities. In addition to both hitting the shelves in November 2020, they also share some noteworthy features. Here's a quick look at everything they have in common:
- Frame rate: Both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S offer up to 120FPS. FPS stands for frames per second, and 120FPS means you'll enjoy a smoother gaming session with whip-fast responsiveness.
- Dolby Vision: Both versions of this console come with Dolby Vision, which means they offer the highest level in picture quality when watching supported movies and TV shows.
- Dolby Audio: These Xbox models both offer world-class audio, thanks to Dolby Digital 5.1 for surround sound and Dolby TrueHD with Atmos.
- Ports/Connectivity: There are no differences in terms of ports with these consoles. They both come with three USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, an HDMI 2.1 out, an 802.11ac dual-band wireless, and 1Gbps Ethernet.
- Games: There are no differences in the games catalogs across these consoles. Both give you the ability to play thousands of games from four generations of Xbox consoles. Additionally, they give you access to 100+ games with Xbox Game Pass.
- Accessories: The Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X are both compatible with Xbox One accessories.
Even with these similarities, there are also some important differences between the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X. These variations make it wise to upgrade to the Series X if the following situations apply to you and your gaming needs.
1. You Need More Storage
When it comes to today's Xbox consoles, they are not created equal in terms of storage. While both have internal storage, you'll find that the Series X offers significantly more of it than the Series S.
- Xbox Series X: This version of the console comes with a 1TB SSD.
- Xbox Series S: You'll only get a 512GB SSD for storage with this model.
If you want to expand your storage with either Xbox model, you can easily do so with the 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card. This card plugs into a specialized storage expansion port that you'll find at the back of the console. Just pop this card into the back of your system.
2. You Want a Better Processor
Car fans often like to take a look under the hood to see what their ride is running. Video game enthusiasts should also care about what's under the hood of their console. Just like an engine powers a vehicle, the processor allows a console to run.
Based on what we saw with storage, you probably won't be surprised to learn that the Xbox Series X also offers more processing power than the Series S.
- Xbox Series X: This version of Xbox comes equipped with 12 teraflops of processing power.
- Xbox Series S: With this model, you'll only get 25% of the Xbox X's power at 4 teraflops.
For those who don't know, teraflops are a measurement of computing performance. It refers to the ability to process one trillion floating point operations per second. We know that might sound like a lot of jargon. However, there's a simple way to view it: More teraflops equals faster processing, which makes for a better gaming experience for you.
3. You're Looking for Superior Resolution
We often talk about resolution when it comes to televisions. However, since gaming is very visual, it's also important to consider this factor here.
- Xbox Series X: The Series X offers with true 4K resolution.
- Xbox Series S: When using the Series S, you can only enjoy up to 1440p resolution.
Just remember that you can only experience 4K gaming with the Xbox Series X if you have a 4K TV. Otherwise, your console will only offer the resolution that your television is capable of providing.
4. You Want to Watch 8K Video
Speaking of resolution, the Xbox Series X goes above and beyond when it comes to video resolution, leaving the Series S trailing behind.
- Xbox Series X: This console can handle up to 8K video.
- Xbox Series S: While capable of 8K video, it requires an ultra-high speed HDMI cable to handle it.
As we mentioned in the gaming resolution section, you will need an 8K TV to enjoy 8K video resolution using your Xbox.
5. You Watch a Lot of Blu-Rays
While most of us stream content, it can still be helpful to have an optical disc drive to play Blu-ray discs or physical games. If you have a lot of discs, you'll likely find that the Xbox Series X is a better fit for your needs.
- Xbox Series X: The Xbox X has a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive.
- Xbox Series S: There is no disc drive on the Series S.
Having a Blu-ray drive might not be a requirement for you as a gamer, but it can still be nice to have this feature.
6. You Play Both Physical and Digital Games
Finally, let's talk about Xbox games and how you can play them on these different models. Since the Series S doesn't have a disc drive, it's probably not surprising to learn that it can't play any physical game discs. For many, this is the biggest and most important difference between these Xbox models.
- Xbox Series X: You can play both digital and physical Xbox games with this model.
- Xbox Series S: You're limited to digital gaming with the Xbox S.
Of course, if you only ever play digital games, this won't be an important factor for you. But you should remember that you're also limited to buying brand new games with the Xbox Series S, so you can't benefit from deep discounts on second-hand discs.
It shouldn't come as a surprise to you to learn that the Xbox Series X has superior specs to the Series S---it is a lot more expensive after all. But we do think it offers a great deal extra value with those higher specs, offering an experience that is much more appropriate to the current state of gaming. So, if you're still gaming on the Xbox Series S, you can take this as our approval to treat yourself to an upgrade.
xbox series x
The Xbox Series X offers features that the Xbox Series S doesn't, including an optical disc drive, more storage and processing power, and higher resolution. Not to mention, the Series X allows you to play both physical and digital games.