The reason the Xbox Series S is so much cheaper than the Series X
Both consoles have become more expensive since launch, but the Series S remains relatively affordable.
Why Series X is more expensive
The most obvious difference between these two devices is that the S series is a digital-only device without a disc drive. While there is a Series This lock in to a digital-only landscape is one of the most defining features between the two, which contributes to some extent to its cheaper price.
Under the hood, the Series S is also less impressive hardware than the Series X. The base model of the Series S offers 512GB of storage, with a 1TB model available for $100 more. Meanwhile, the Series X comes with 1TB of space (there was a 2TB Series X model, but Microsoft discontinued it in 2026). Both models can gain more storage with an expansion card that plugs into the back of the console.
The Series However, both consoles have a capacity of 120fps. On a more technical level, both consoles use a custom AMD Zen 2 processor, but the Series X processor is clocked higher, giving it a speed advantage. Both also use an AMD RDNA 2 GPU, but the Series
Similarly, Series X has 16GB of RAM, of which 10GB can run at 560GB per second and 6GB can run at 336GB/s. Compared to the S’s 10GB of RAM, with 8GB running at 224GB/s and 2GB running at 56GB/s, the Series X has much more complex and capable hardware, which contributes to its higher price.
Xbox Series X vs Series S: Which is better for you?
If you’re considering getting an Xbox console, which series is right for you depends on your gaming style. If you’re not someone who has a physical game collection or plans to largely play through Game Pass, the Series S’s lack of a disc drive probably won’t bother you. If you prefer to take advantage of disc game sales or simply hold a game in your hands, the Series X is the way to go.
The Series S is the more compact choice, not only because of the space saved by skipping physical games, but also because it’s about 60% smaller than a Series X. It’s much easier to fit a Series S into an entertainment center than its bigger sibling.
Resolution and gaming performance will be lower with a Series S, but depending on the games you play and your tolerances, the difference may not be big enough to matter. If you don’t need to see 4K resolution all the time (the S supports 4K upscaling, but not 4K natively) or play a lot of games that aren’t graphics-intensive, the Series S might be sufficient, especially since it can hit 120fps in compatible titles. However, if you’re a performance purist who wants the best, you’ll want the Series X.
Alternatively, it’s worth waiting for the release of Microsoft’s Project Helix family of devices if you’d rather not have a console for that many years in its lifecycle. These will almost certainly be more expensive than a Series X or S, and we don’t know how much technical progress will be made between this generation and the next. Microsoft plans to start shipping Project Helix alpha hardware to developers in 2027, which likely means at least a year after that before we see the final product released. But if you’re willing to be patient, consider saving your money for cutting-edge technology.
