Xbox One X vs Xbox One S: Which One Should You Buy?

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The Xbox One X was introduced to the world at E3 in June. This console might have been one of the worst-kept secrets in the tech world. Rumors of the console, code named “Scorpio,” had been in the news for over a year. Finally, the Xbox One X showed its face. This is Microsoft’s answer to the PS4 Pro. However, the launch date is not until November 7th. While holiday shoppers will be happy to see that they can pick one up for their friends or family; some gamers may be wondering if the wait is worth it when the Xbox One S is already available. Let’s go head to head and see if we can help Xbox fans decide what to do. Here it is: Xbox One X vs Xbox One S.

Specs Comparison – Xbox One X vs Xbox One S

XBOX One S XBOX One X
CPU 8 core AMD Custom CPU @ 1.75GHz 8 core x86 CPU @ 2.3GHz
GPU AMD GCN GPU @ 914Mhz w/ 12 compute units AMD custom GPU @ 1,172MHz w/ 40 compute units
Memory 8GB DDR3, 32MB ESRAM 12GB GDDR5
Memory bus 256-bit 384-bit
Storage 500GB 1TB
Optical Drive 4K UHD Bluray 4K UHD Bluray
4K Support Yes, limited Yes, native
UHD Support Yes Yes
Price $249 $499

We crammed a lot of info into that one chart, but it’s a good starting point. However, it doesn’t tell the whole story. So let’s dive in a little deeper, shall we?

Anyone who looks at that chart can tell that the Xbox One X is more powerful than the Xbox One S. These days, with games advancing as fast as they are and VR becoming a major player; you can never have too much power. The real question is: are you ready to pay for that power and do you really need to?

First, let’s talk design. The Xbox One X is smaller than the Xbox One S while offering more power. In addition, the One X has an internal power supply. Current Xbox One owners will be excited to know that the ugly power brick is no more in the Xbox One X. If you’re looking for a powerful console that will look great as well then you can’t ignore the Xbox One X. It wins this battle in the Xbox One X vs Xbox One S showdown.

If your console just sits in an entertainment center then you probably don’t care much how it looks. You just want to play games! Both consoles will be able to play the same titles. With that said, there will be some very noticeable performance differences. See in the chart above where it says that both consoles have UHD support? That’s true, with an asterisk. While the Xbox One S does offer UHD support, it upscales from full HD. It’s not known how much upscaling is done by the Xbox One X but, with the more powerful hardware, it will do a much better job of presenting UHD content. This means smoother graphics and more detailed textures on the Xbox One X. So, while both consoles can play the same games, the Xbox One X will take things to the next level.

What about enjoying non-gaming content? Both consoles excel in this area. With 4K support on both the Xbox One X and Xbox One S, movies and streaming content will look great no matter what console sits beside your television. Of course, you will have to own a 4K television to make use of the growing library of 4K content on Xbox One. In this category, there is no real winner in the great war of Xbox One X vs Xbox One S. If your main concern is watching 4K movies and you won’t make use of the added gaming power in the Xbox One X, then you might as well save your money and get the One S. Even just as a dedicated 4K Bluray player, the Xbox One S is a great buy.

Finally, we have to consider the price. There is a clear difference there and it’s easy to see what the extra money gets you with the Xbox One X. If budget is no limitation, the answer is to obviously get the Xbox One X. Of course, you will want to ensure that you have a proper setup to enjoy all of those features you are paying for. It’s recommended that you have a 4K HDR television to fully enjoy everything the Xbox One X has to offer. If your television setup is not up to par but you plan on upgrading, the Xbox One X will still look great on any TV set in the meantime. Of course, if you are watching your budget closely, you cannot go wrong with Xbox One S. It still offers 4K support and a great library of games at a much more reasonable cost.

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