Which Xbox models are available right now

Microsoft currently sells three Xbox consoles: the Xbox Series X, the Xbox Series S, and the Xbox One. The Series X is the most powerful and most expensive. The Series S is smaller, less powerful, and costs less. The Xbox One is the oldest model still in production, and Microsoft has gradually stopped making new games for it.

The Series X and Series S came out in November 2020. They play the same games, but the Series X handles them at higher frame rates and sharper graphics. The Series S is designed for people who play at 1080p or 1440p resolution on smaller screens, while the Series X targets 4K displays. Both use the same processor architecture, so a game that runs on one will run on the other — just at different visual settings.

The Xbox One launched in 2013 and is now in its final years of support. Microsoft still releases some games for it, but new releases are becoming rare. If you buy an Xbox One today, you are buying a console that will receive fewer updates and fewer new games over time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Xbox Series X is the flagship console with 4K gaming at high frame rates, while the Series S is a smaller, cheaper option for 1080p and 1440p gaming.
  • Both Series X and Series S play the same games and use the same Game Pass subscription service, so your choice depends on your TV and budget.
  • The Xbox One still works and plays older games, but Microsoft is phasing it out and releasing fewer new titles for it.
  • Game Pass is included with Xbox Game Pass for Console, which gives you access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee instead of buying them individually.
  • All three consoles play games you already own on disc, though the Series X and S are gradually moving toward digital-only releases.

Xbox Series X versus Series S: what the differences actually are

The Series X has a custom processor that runs at 12 teraflops of graphics power. The Series S runs at 4 teraflops. In practical terms, this means the Series X renders games at 4K resolution (3840 × 2160 pixels) at 60 frames per second or higher on most new releases. The Series S typically renders at 1440p (2560 × 1440 pixels) at 60 fps, or 4K at lower frame rates on some games.

Storage is another difference. The Series X comes with 1 terabyte of internal storage, though about 150 gigabytes is reserved for the operating system. The Series S comes with 512 gigabytes, with about 150 gigabytes reserved. Both consoles let you expand storage with an external drive, though you can only play Series X and S games from the external drive — you have to move them back to the internal drive to play them. A 1-terabyte expansion card costs around $220.

The Series X is also larger and heavier. It stands about 5.9 inches wide and 5.9 inches deep, while the Series S is about 5.9 inches wide and 2.7 inches deep. If your entertainment center is tight on space, the Series S fits more easily.

Both consoles have the same controller, the same Game Pass library, and the same online multiplayer service. The games you play online with friends work the same way on both. The difference is purely in how the game looks and how smoothly it runs.

What Game Pass is and whether it is worth the cost

Game Pass for Console is a subscription service that gives you access to hundreds of games on your Xbox. You pay a monthly fee — currently around $11 per month for the standard tier — and you can download and play any game in the library as long as your subscription is active. When you cancel, you lose access to those games.

The library includes older games, indie games, and some new releases from Microsoft studios on day one. It does not include every game ever made. Major titles from other publishers like Activision, Ubisoft, or Take-Two are not always included, though some are. The library changes monthly — games are added and removed.

Game Pass also includes Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets you play some games through the internet without downloading them. This works on phones, tablets, and computers as well as on the console itself. The quality depends on your internet speed, and not every game in the library is available through the cloud.

Whether it is worth the cost depends on how many games you play and whether you like the ones in the library. If you buy three or four new games a year at $60 each, Game Pass probably saves you money. If you play the same game for months, you might be better off buying it once.

Disc games versus digital games

The Xbox Series X comes with a 4K Blu-ray disc drive built in. You can buy games on disc, insert them into the console, and play them. You can also sell or trade the disc when you are done. The Series X also plays older Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games on disc.

The Xbox Series S has no disc drive. It is digital-only. You can only buy and download games through the Microsoft Store. You cannot play physical discs on it, and you cannot resell games you buy.

The Xbox One comes in both disc and digital versions, depending on which model you buy. The disc version plays Xbox One games on disc, and the digital version does not.

If you already own Xbox games on disc, the Series X lets you keep playing them. If you switch to the Series S, you would have to buy those games again digitally or not play them. This is the main reason someone with a disc collection might choose the Series X despite the higher cost.

Online multiplayer and backwards compatibility

Playing online multiplayer games on any Xbox requires an Xbox Game Pass for Console subscription or a separate Xbox Live Gold membership. Game Pass for Console includes online multiplayer, so if you have Game Pass, you do not need to buy Gold separately. If you buy games individually without Game Pass, you need Gold to play them online.

Both the Series X and Series S can play games from older Xbox generations. This is called backwards compatibility. You can play many Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games on the newer consoles. Not every game from those eras works — some had licensing issues or technical problems that made them incompatible — but hundreds do. Microsoft publishes a list of compatible games on its website.

The Xbox One can play Xbox One games and some Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, but it cannot play Series X or Series S games. The newer consoles are more powerful and use different code.

Price and where to buy

The Xbox Series X costs around $500. The Xbox Series S costs around $300. The Xbox One costs around $200 to $250 for new stock, though it is becoming harder to find in stores. Prices vary by retailer and change with sales.

You can buy Xbox consoles from major electronics retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, as well as from Microsoft's own store. Game Pass subscriptions are sold through the same channels and also directly through the console itself once you own one.

Refurbished and used consoles are also available through resellers and marketplaces, usually at lower prices. A refurbished Series X or Series S from a reputable seller often comes with a warranty and costs $50 to $100 less than new.

Should you buy now or wait for something new

The Xbox Series X and Series S have been on the market since 2020, and there is no official announcement of a new generation yet. Microsoft typically releases a new console generation every seven to ten years, so the Series X and S should remain current for several more years.

If you want to play new games today, buying a Series X or Series S now makes sense. Both consoles will play new releases for at least the next three to five years. Game Pass is also a good way to try games without committing to a $70 purchase.

The Xbox One is nearing the end of its life. If you are considering buying one, understand that fewer new games will come to it, and support will eventually end. It is a reasonable choice only if you want to play older games cheaply or if you have a very tight budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play games I buy on disc on both the Series X and Series S?

No. Only the Series X has a disc drive. The Series S is digital-only. If you buy a game on disc for the Series X, you cannot play it on a Series S. You would have to buy the digital version separately.

Do I need Game Pass to play online with friends?

You need either Game Pass for Console or a separate Xbox Live Gold membership. Game Pass for Console includes online multiplayer, so if you have Game Pass, you are covered. If you buy games individually without Game Pass, you need Gold to play them online.

Will games I buy today still work in five years?

Games you buy digitally stay in your account as long as Microsoft keeps the game available in the store. Games you buy on disc will play as long as the console works and the disc is not damaged. Game Pass games are only playable while your subscription is active.

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

Xbox Live Gold is just online multiplayer access. Game Pass for Console includes online multiplayer plus access to hundreds of games. Game Pass is more expensive but gives you more value if you play a variety of games.

Can I use the same controller on a PC or phone?

Yes. The Xbox controller works on Windows PCs and Android phones. You can also use it to play games through Xbox Cloud Gaming on those devices if you have a Game Pass subscription.