The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are set to launch on November 10, 2020. Both consoles are significant upgrades over their predecessors, and they will deliver a truly next-generation gaming experience. Keep reading to learn more about the next generation of Xbox consoles, how they compare, whether they are backward compatible with your existing games, and how to save money on your upgrade.
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Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S
Microsoft is launching two next-generation game consoles on November 10, 2020: the Xbox Series X (MSRP $499) and the Xbox Series S (MSRP $299). Both video game systems support the same games and have very similar internal architectures, but there are a few notable differences.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S Specifications
| Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen “Zen2” CPU 8-core, 16-thread Up to 3.8 GHz | AMD Ryzen “Zen2” CPU 8-core, 16-thread Up to 3.6 GHz |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RDNA 2 Ray Tracing Acceleration Up to 1.83GHz (12.2 TFLOPS) | AMD Radeon RDNA 2 Ray Tracing Acceleration Up to 1.57GHz (4 TFLOPS) |
| System Memory | 16GB GDDR6 RAM | 16GB GDDR6 RAM |
| SSD | 1TB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD 2.4GB/s Read Bandwidth (RAW) | 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD 2.4GB/s Read Bandwidth (RAW) |
| Game Disk | Ultra HD Blu-ray Up to 100GB/disc | None |
| Video Out | 4k 120Hz TVs 8k 60Hz TVs VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) HDMI 2.1 | 4k 120Hz TVs 8k 60Hz TVs VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) HDMI 2.1 |
| Dimensions | 301mm (h) x 151mm (w) x 151mm (d) | 275mm (h) x 63.5mm (w) x 63.5mm (d) |
| Release Date | November 10, 2020 | November 10, 2020 |
| MSRP | $499 | $299 |
Which next-gen console is more powerful?
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s flagship next-generation game system. Packing the latest 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU at up to 3.8 GHz and a speedy Radeon RDNA 2 GPU with 12.2 TFLOPS of processing power, the Series X is the world’s most powerful game console — even faster than the 10 TFLOP Sony PlayStation 5. In contrast, the Xbox One S features a similar 8-core Zen 2 processor at 3.6 GHz paired with a significantly slower 4 TFLOP Radeon RDNA 2 GPU.
Which Xbox is the best?
The difference in graphics processing power means that although the same games will run on both systems, the Xbox Series X is able to run them at higher resolutions such as native 4k or 1440p at up to 120 fps, often without resorting to checker-boarding or other upscaling techniques. So if you’re gaming on a 4k or 8k TV and want the best possible graphics and frame rates, you’ll want the Xbox Series X. But if you’re still using a 1080p or 1440p display or you don’t mind 4k upscaling, save some money and get the Xbox Series S instead.
Can Xbox Series X play Xbox One games?
The Xbox Series X is backward compatible with nearly all Xbox One games that do not require the Kinect sensor. In fact, the Xbox Series X lets you play four generations of games on launch day — including older Xbox 360 games!
Thanks to the added computational power and speedy SSD, games will also look better and run faster on the Xbox Series X than ever before. All games will benefit from the Xbox Series X’s powerful 12 TFLOP GPU by delivering higher frame rates and smoother gameplay. However, many older generation games will receive updates that make use of the new hardware-accelerated Direct X real-time ray tracing and variable rate shading features found on the powerful RDNA 2 GPU. And with Xbox Velocity Architecture, these updated games won’t just look great — they’ll load quickly and run stutter-free.
Will Xbox One controllers work on Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series X is compatible with many Xbox One accessories such as Xbox Elite Controller and Xbox Adaptive controller. This means that if you upgrade, you won’t have to purchase additional controllers. However, other accessories such as the Kinect sensor bar are not compatible with Series X.
How much is the new Xbox 2020?
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are launching on November 10, 2020. The flagship Xbox Series X will cost $499, whereas the less powerful Xbox Series S will cost $299. Although availability is bound to be scarce on both consoles for the foreseeable future, you may be able to pick one up shortly after launch at your local electronics retailers or right here on Swappa.
But why spend half a grand on a home game console when an Xbox One can play all the same games for a third of the price? If you’re a casual gamer — one who isn’t looking for every last bit of competitive advantage in an online multiplayer game — the Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X make a lot more sense. They play all the same games, they’re still powerful enough for an immersive experience, and they’ll save you a ton of money.
Check out our video games gift guide to learn more about all your options!
Sell your Xbox One to help fund your upgrade
Still looking to purchase an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S? Selling your used Xbox One console on Swappa is a great way to help fund your upgrade. Don’t get GameFlop’d; make more than twice as much by selling on Swappa today!
| Swappa | eBay | GameStop | Best Buy | Decluttr | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xbox One | $140 | $108 | $75 | $40 | $45 |
| Xbox One S | $181 | $146 | $80 | $70 | $80 |
| Xbox One X | $287 | $190 | $140 | $150 | $135 |
Selling on Swappa will get you more than twice as much as you’d get on a trade-in site. For example, you can get around $140 for your used Xbox One, compared to $40 at Best Buy and $45 on Decluttr. So what are you waiting for? Sell your used Xbox One today!
