Microsoft’s newest console generation includes the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S, a naming convention that might confuse some consumers.
Here’s how the two consoles compare and why you would choose to buy one over the other.
Performance and Price
The Xbox Series X is objectively better than the Series S in terms of raw performance.
The two consoles have the same custom AMD Zen 2 8-core processor but different GPUs.
The Xbox Series X uses an AMD RDNA 2 GPU with 12 teraflops at a 1.8 GHz clock speed, while the Series S GPU only has 4 teraflops at 1.6 GHz.
This increased GPU power means the Xbox Series X supports native 4K resolutions and ray-tracing.
The Series S supports ray-tracing in some titles and can natively display games up to 1440p, but it uses upscaling to display games in 4K, which is immediately noticeable if you have a 4K TV.
Both consoles can run games at up to 120 frames per second and support variable refresh rates, HDR, and Auto Low Latency Mode.
The Series X’s extra performance will set you back R11,999 compared to the Series S R6,999 price tag.
Storage and RAM
The Xbox Series X comes with 1 TB of storage and 16 GB of RAM, while the Series S has a more modest 512 GB storage space and 10 GB memory.
Both consoles offer expandable storage, and brands like Seagate and Western Digital provide compatible storage devices that are optimised for Xbox consoles.
It is also essential to remember that the Series X has a built-in 4K Blu-ray player, while the Series S is a purely digital console.
Both consoles offer the option to expand storage with a dedicated port.
Games and accessories
Both consoles support backwards compatibility for almost all Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games — but Kinect titles are not supported by either.
Additionally, users have access to Xbox Game Pass on both consoles, and all Xbox One accessories will work with either the Series X or S.
You get the same controller regardless of which console you buy, just in a different colour.
Xbox Game Pass provides users access to hundreds of different games.
Design
The Series S is much smaller and has a less awkward design than the Series X, making it easier to incorporate into your setup.
The Series S comes in white and is 27.5 x 15.1 x 6.5 cm, while the Series X comes in black and is substantially bigger at 30.1 x 15.1 x 15.1 cm.
Conclusion
If you use a 1080p or even 1440p monitor with no plans to upgrade to a 4K display soon, you aren’t missing out on much by buying a Series S.
However, if you have an extensive collection of physical entertainment media and a 4K TV, you should go for a Series X.
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