The current Xbox consoles are the Series X and Series S, released in November 2020

When people say "new gen Xbox," they mean the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. These are the current generation of gaming consoles made by Microsoft. The Series X is the more powerful model, while the Series S is smaller, less expensive, and designed for people who want to play the same games at lower visual quality or on smaller screens.

Both consoles play the same games and use the same online service. The main differences are processing power, storage space, and what resolution they output to your TV or monitor. Neither one is "better" — it depends on what you own and what you want to spend.

These consoles replaced the Xbox One generation, which came out in 2013. The jump from One to Series X or S is significant enough that game developers write separate versions for each generation, though some older Xbox One games still work on the new consoles.

Key Takeaways

  • The Xbox Series X outputs games at 4K resolution and is the high-end model; the Series S outputs at 1440p and costs less.
  • Both consoles use the same games library and online service, so your choice depends on your TV and budget, not on game selection.
  • The Series X has 1TB of internal storage; the Series S has 512GB, which means you can store fewer games before needing an external drive.
  • Older Xbox One games work on both new consoles, but new games are designed for Series X and S first.
  • Both consoles support Game Pass, a subscription service that includes hundreds of games you can download and play.

Series X versus Series S: the main hardware differences

The Xbox Series X is built to output games at 4K resolution (3840 × 2160 pixels) at 60 frames per second, or sometimes 120 frames per second in competitive games. It has 12 teraflops of GPU power, which is the measure of how fast it can draw graphics. It comes with 1TB of internal storage for games.

The Xbox Series S outputs games at 1440p resolution (2560 × 1440 pixels) at 60 frames per second. It has 10 teraflops of GPU power. It comes with 512GB of internal storage. The Series S is about half the price of the Series X and is roughly the size of a small speaker, while the Series X is a tall black box.

If you have a 4K TV and want the sharpest picture, the Series X is the better choice. If you have a 1080p or 1440p TV, or if you play on a monitor, the Series S will look fine and costs significantly less. Both consoles are quiet and run cool compared to older gaming hardware.

What games you can play on each console

Both the Series X and Series S play the same games. Microsoft does not make exclusive games that only work on one or the other. The difference is that the Series X version of a game will have higher resolution, faster load times, and sometimes higher frame rates, while the Series S version will have lower resolution but still play the same game.

Many games from the Xbox One generation still work on Series X and S. Microsoft calls this "backward compatibility." You can put an Xbox One disc into a Series X, and it will play. If you own digital games on Xbox One, they are tied to your account and will appear in your library on the new console.

New games released by major studios are designed for Series X and S first. Some smaller studios still release games for Xbox One, but that is becoming less common. If you are buying a new console now, you should assume new games will be built for Series X or S.

Storage and why you might need extra space

The Series X comes with 1TB of built-in storage, which sounds like a lot until you start installing games. A single modern game can take 100GB to 150GB of space. This means you can fit roughly 5 to 10 large games on the Series X before it fills up.

The Series S has 512GB, so you can fit roughly 2 to 5 large games. When your storage is full, you have two options: delete games you are not playing, or buy an external drive. Microsoft sells an official expansion drive that plugs into the back of the console and adds 1TB of storage. Third-party drives also work, but they must be the specific type designed for Xbox Series X and S.

You can also store games on a regular external hard drive and move them back to the console when you want to play them. This is slower than having them installed, but it is free and works fine if you do not mind waiting a few minutes.

Game Pass and the subscription service

Both consoles come with access to Xbox Game Pass, a subscription service that includes hundreds of games you can download and play. It costs about $11 per month for console access, or $17 per month if you want to play on both console and PC. Some games are on Game Pass from day one; others are added later.

Game Pass is not required to play games you own. If you buy a game outright, you own it and can play it without a subscription. But if you like trying different games without buying each one, Game Pass is a good value.

You also need an Xbox Live Gold subscription to play online multiplayer games. This is separate from Game Pass and costs about $10 per month, though Microsoft sometimes bundles them together at a discount.

Physical discs versus digital games

The Xbox Series X has a disc drive and can play games from physical discs. The Xbox Series S does not have a disc drive — it is digital only. This is the biggest practical difference between the two consoles if you own physical game discs.

If you have a collection of Xbox One or Xbox 360 discs, you can only play them on the Series X. If you buy all your games digitally, the Series S works just as well and costs less.

Digital games are tied to your Microsoft account, not to the console. If you buy a game digitally on the Series S and later get a Series X, you can download that game on the new console using the same account. The same is true in reverse.

Backward compatibility and older games

Both Series X and S can play games from the Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox generations. Microsoft maintains a list of which older games work on the new consoles. Most popular games are compatible, but not all of them.

When you play an older game on a new console, it sometimes runs better than it did on the original hardware. Microsoft calls this "smart delivery" — the console automatically detects which version of the game to run. Some older games get performance improvements or visual upgrades when played on Series X or S.

If you have a large library of older Xbox games, the new consoles let you keep playing them. You do not have to start over with a new game library.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a 4K TV to use the Xbox Series X?

No. The Series X will work with any TV or monitor that has an HDMI port. If your TV is 1080p or 1440p, the console will output at that resolution instead of 4K. You will still get the faster performance and quicker load times of the Series X, just not the 4K picture quality.

Can I play my old Xbox One games on the Series X or Series S?

Most Xbox One games work on both new consoles. Some older games from the Xbox 360 and original Xbox also work. Microsoft maintains a backward compatibility list on its website. If a game is on that list, you can play it on your new console.

What is the difference between Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold?

Game Pass is a library of hundreds of games you can download and play for a monthly fee. Xbox Live Gold is the subscription you need to play online multiplayer games. They are separate services, though Microsoft sometimes offers them bundled together at a lower price than buying them separately.

Is the Xbox Series S powerful enough for new games?

Yes. The Series S plays all the same new games as the Series X. The difference is that games run at lower resolution and sometimes lower frame rates on the Series S. If you have a smaller TV or do not mind lower visual quality, the Series S handles new games without problems.

Can I use an external hard drive to store games on the Series X or Series S?

Yes, but with a limitation. You can store games on a regular external hard drive, but you have to move them back to the console's internal storage before you can play them. Microsoft also sells an official expansion drive that lets you play games directly from it, which is faster and more convenient.