2020 is the year many gamers have been waiting for. It is when Microsoft will be releasing its brand new next-generation video game console, the Xbox Series X. This console is going to be new and improved from the ground up. Naturally, there is a lot of excitement among Xbox fans.
![Xbox Series X 1TB SSD Console - Includes Wireless Controller - Up to 120 frames per second - 16GB RAM 1TB SSD - Experience True 4K Gaming Velocity Architecture [video game] [video game] [video game] [video game] [video game] [video game] [video game] [vide](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/21sdyqUxkKL._SL160_.jpg)
- XBOX SERIES X: The fastest, most powerful Xbox ever. Explore rich new worlds with 12 teraflops of raw graphic processing power, DirectX ray tracing, a custom SSD, and 4K gaming.*
- FASTER LOAD TIMES: Make the most of every gaming minute with Quick Resume, lightning-fast load times, and gameplay of up to 120 FPS – all powered by Xbox Velocity Architecture.
- IN THE BOX: Xbox Series X console, one Xbox Wireless Controller, an ultra high-speed HDMI cable, power cable, and 2 AA batteries.
- SURROUND SOUND: Enhance gameplay with both full-spectrum visuals and immersive audio with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
So when is it going to be released? What are the specs of the new Xbox Series X? What will be the price? What else do you need to know?
Here is the latest information.
Table of Contents
Microsoft Has Released Two New Consoles
Similar to what they did with the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, Microsoft has released two versions of their newest generation of video game consoles the higher end Series X and the more affordable all digital Xbox Series S.
When compared to the Series S, the Series X is more powerful, has a larger SSD drive (1TB vs. 512GB), and has an optical drive.
Xbox Series X Release Date
The Xbox Series X first was released and available to purchase on November 10, 2020.
Just as they did with the Xbox One, releasing it in the month of November, Microsoft timed the release of the Xbox Series X so that it would be available just in time for the upcoming 2020 holiday shopping season.
Almost every game console sells like hot cakes when it is first released and the Xbox Series X is no different. This means that retailers might sell out of the specific model or bundle that you are hoping to buy. So if you are trying to buy the Xbox Series X in 2020 and you see it available online or in stores, you might want to buy it immediately, because the first wave of consoles that hit retailers’ shelves have already sold out in a lot of locations. So it a probably a gamble to assume that you will be able to easily find it again in a week or two.
Xbox Series X Specs
If you are considering buying a Series X console you are probably wondering about the technical specifications.
First of all, the Xbox Series X is a significant improvement over both the Xbox One S and the more powerful Xbox One X. That is great, but remember that your ability to experience all the benefits of the Series X will have a lot to do with the games you are playing (not all games are designed to take full advantage of the console you are playing them on) and the television you are playing them on.
So let’s take a look at the specs for the Xbox Series X and compare them to the Xbox One S and Xbox One X.
Xbox Series X specs vs. Xbox One Specs
![Microsoft Xbox One S 1Tb Console - White [Discontinued]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41wNqTxUoGL._SL160_.jpg)
How Does the Xbox Series X Differ From the Series S
Video Resolution/Performance
The Xbox Series X is capable of streaming media at an impressive 4K resolution, which is fantastic, but most people who are buying a video game console are more concerned about what the resolution will be for video games. So let’s take a look at that.
The game resolution for the Series X can get all the way up to 4K, which is a step up from the Series S as we saw above. So if you have a 4K television or plan on getting one in the future you will certainly be gravitating toward getting the Series X so you can get the most out of the screen you will be playing games and streaming video on. That said, it is also fair to point out that many games, especially early on, will not be optimized to fully take advantage of the gameplay capabilities of the Series X or Series S consoles, but as time passes more and more games will begin to fully use of the 4K capabilities offered by the Series X.
Why Is The Xbox Series X So Big And Boxy?
You might be asking yourself, “What’s the deal with the weird shape of the Xbox Series X?” If you are asking yourself that question you aren’t alone. Some people describe it as a cube. Others describe it as looking boxy. Still, others might describe it as being shaped like a refrigerator. Regardless of how you describe it the Xbox Series X is shaped much differently than the Xbox One or Xbox 360. So why does it look so strange? Is it just because some designer wanted it to stand out from the crowd?
Actually, there is a very practical and logical reason behind this new shape.
If you have ever had a laptop heat up and make your legs hot or felt the case of your desktop computer heat up you know that computers get warm, especially when they are working hard. The same is true for video consoles. They need to keep cool.
A console like the Xbox Series X that has four times the processing power of Xbox One X can generate a lot of heat. The boxy design, three air-flow channels, innovative split motherboard, and parallel cooling architecture allow the Series X to remain cool and quiet while delivering incredible performance.
Does the Xbox Series X have a new controller?
This console comes with a new more refined controller. The new Xbox Wireless Controller was designed to accommodate an even wider range of hand sizes and features a new Share button that helps make capturing screenshots and game clips simple. It also comes with a hybrid d-pad that was inspired by the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, which is a fantastic top of the line controller. This new Xbox Wireless Controller will be included with every Xbox Series X and is compatible with Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs.
Will Xbox Series X play 4K Blu-rays?
Yes, the Series X will have a 4K UHD Blu-Ray optical drive as a standard component on the console.
Is Xbox Series X Backwards Compatible?
Absolutely! Not only will the Xbox Series X be backwards compatible, but Microsoft is taking backwards compatibility to the next level with the Series X.
Before the Series X was even available for purchase Microsoft was reporting that “thousands of games are already playable on Xbox Series X”. Not only that, but because of its more powerful CPU, GPU, and SSD, these games will run better on Xbox Series X resulting in faster load times, higher fidelity, and increased framerates. Included with all of this is the ability of the console to add HDR (High Dynamic Range) to older titles that were created before HDR was possible. Lastly, in addition to games, accessories from older consoles, like gamepads (controllers), will also be backward compatible on the Xbox Series X.
This means higher fidelity, increased framerate, and much faster load times. Some games will see doubled framerates from 30 to 60fps or 60 to 120fps.
Solid State Drive (SSD)
Changing to an SSD on this new generation of Xbox consoles is a tremendous upgrade. If you spent any time playing the Xbox One in the past you already know how much time you could waste waiting for the Xbox One to load games. The SSD drive on both the Series X and S means that games can now load in a fraction of the time it takes on the Xbox One.
Here is a video that shows you an example of just how much faster the Series X, with its SSD, can load a game compared to the Xbox One X:
The 1TB SSD drive on the Series X gives it a big advantage over the smaller 512GB SSD drive found on the Series S. While the 1TB does provide you with a lot of storage space it is still conceivable that you could run out of space for your games if you are an avid gamer who enjoys playing a lot of games.
Yes, if you run out of space you could remove a game that you aren’t currently playing from the SSD and download the one you want to play, but you don’t want to keep doing that over and over, because waiting for games to download can take a long time.
The good news is that you have the option to add additional storage to both the Series X and S consoles if you need to. Both consoles have a dedicated storage expansion port where you can add a 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card, which provides additional storage while replicating the console’s custom SSD experience giving you the same phenomenal performance.
- SEAMLESS GAMEPLAY Designed in partnership with Xbox to seamlessly play Xbox Series X|S games from the internal SSD or the expansion card without sacrificing graphics, latency, load times, or framerates
- HIGHEST CAPACITY The only 2TB expansion card—and highest capacity available—that maximizes Xbox Series X storage, allowing you to collect thousands of games across four generations of Xbox without sacrificing performance
- XBOX OFFICIAL An expansion card that’s designed using officially licensed Xbox Velocity Architecture—providing faster load times, richer environments, and more immersive gameplay
- WARRANTY Enjoy long-term peace of mind with the included 3-year warranty
- LEVEL UP Every game that plays from the Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S plays at the same peak levels as the console’s internal SSD
New Quick Resume Feature
The new Quick Resume feature will allow gamers to resume games right where they left off, across multiple titles, “in an instant”.
Not only does this new Quick Resume feature work for new games that were designed specifically for the Xbox Series X console, but it can also be enabled for backward-compatible games.
Below is a video showing the Quick Resume feature on the Xbox Series S:
Xbox Series X Price
Microsoft’s suggested retail price for the Xbox Series X at release is $499, which is about what we expected. At first glance, it might seem pretty expensive, but if we look back at the initial release of the Xbox One in 2013, it was priced at $499 and included a Kinect sensor. Then the next year Microsoft began selling the Xbox One console without the Kinect sensor for $399. So to see the much more powerful Series X priced at $499 isn’t that shocking. In fact, some people might even say that they are surprised to see the Series X priced this low.
Similar to Sony, who is releasing two versions of their PlayStation 5 console, as they did with the PS4 Slim and the PS4 Pro, and as Microsoft did with the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, Microsoft has released the Xbox Series S in addition to the Series X.
When compared to the Series X the Series S is less powerful, has a smaller SSD drive (512GB vs. 1TB), and doesn’t have an optical drive. On the positive side, the Series S is much smaller and is priced $200 less than the Series X at the time they were both released. So if you want something that is more portable (smaller dimensions) or just like the idea of saving a couple of hundred dollars you might want to consider the Series S.
Having two versions of a new console to choose from can really increase sales for console makers and consumers alike. One console, the Series X, can appeal to buyers who want all the latest and greatest high-end features and performance while the other console, the Series S, will be more attractive to more budget-conscious shoppers.
Regardless of which console you end up shopping for you should still be on the lookout for bundles with both the Series X and Series S. In case you are not familiar with what bundles are, what you will get in a bundle is a console along with 1 or more games and sometimes other bonuses as well.
Final Thoughts
The excitement around the Xbox Series X is certainly justified. Between its impressive performance, new controller, superb backward compatibility, and Blu-Ray player the Xbox Series X is poised to be the centerpiece of your video game and entertainment world for years to come.
Let’s be honest this new console isn’t cheap. So the question remains, should you get one?
If you are already an Xbox One owner and don’t feel like you have the money to spend on a new console or aren’t gaming on a 4K television, you might want to sit tight. Remember that as with all video game consoles, the price should come down after it has been out for a while.
If you don’t currently have an Xbox One, and you were planning on getting an Xbox for the first time, the Series X would absolutely be worth the investment.
For those who have the money to spend and are currently using an Xbox One with a 4K television, you will most likely appreciate the huge upgrade that the Xbox Series X represents and find it to be worth the investment.
In the end, if you are an Xbox fan, you will get the Xbox Series X eventually. The only question is when. If you are getting a video game console for the first time, the Series X makes a pretty strong case as to why you should seriously consider purchasing it.
Last update on 2024-04-25 at 22:50 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
