Differences between Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S

The Xbox One, the third console developed by Microsoft in the Xbox series, provided a fun gaming experience that was most comparable to the PlayStation 4. Yet, soon the latest tech developments ushered in a new era of advanced gaming with faster running speeds and superior graphics. The latest consoles from Microsoft, Xbox Series X and Series S, take gaming to a whole new level. But, what exactly is the difference between Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S?

The Xbox One S and Xbox One X were sleek, condensed alternatives to the discontinued Xbox One. They have more storage space, higher processing power and better graphics than their successor. Plus, both consoles have a 4K Blu-ray disc drive, which allows you to enjoy your favorite movies in pristine 4K resolution. The latest Xbox One games available at the time worked on these compact counterparts, but soon the Xbox console got a major boost with the release of Xbox Series X|S.

As technology advances, so do video game consoles. The Xbox Series X is the latest offering from Microsoft, letting you play the newest games in the highest quality possible. Here is a quick comparison of the Xbox One S and X to the newer Xbox Series X console:

	Xbox One S	Xbox One X	Xbox Series X
Teraflops – computing processing	1.4	6	12
CPU Speed – how fast the console operates	1.75GHz	2.3GHz	3.8GHz
RAM – memory and data storage	8 GB	1 TB	1 TB NVMe SSD
Resolution – picture quality	1080P 4K	4K	Up to 8K

Other than less room for storage and not having an attached disc drive, the Xbox Series S and X are pretty much the same. Similar to how Microsoft developed the sleeker Xbox One S and Xbox One X, Xbox Series S is a slimmer alternative to the bulkier Xbox Series X. It plays the same games as the Series X and the actual gameplay is seemingly just as efficient. However, with just 512 GB of space, the Xbox Series S has less memory and data storage than the Series X. This makes the Series S more enticing if you are on a budget and still want to enjoy advanced Xbox gameplay. 

Some people prefer having the biggest and most powerful gaming systems. If you fall into this category, you will most likely get more use out of the Xbox Series X. However, if you are a moderate gaming enthusiast that doesn’t necessarily need all the extra bells and whistles, the Xbox Series S might be more aligned with your needs. The benefits of Xbox Series S over the Xbox One include:

• Next-gen speed and performance
• Faster load times
• Stunning visuals
• Large library of digital games to choose from
• Easily portable with a sleek, slim design

Since the Xbox Series S is smaller and more affordable than the Series X, it is sometimes assumed that the latest version of Xbox One might be comparable to the Series S. Yet, the Series S outperforms the Xbox One in every single area. This means that just like the Series X, Xbox Series S delivers optimal gameplay at faster speeds with more power and higher resolution. So, when looking at Xbox One vs. Series S, the newer Xbox Series S always comes out on top.

Microsoft is no longer manufacturing any of the Xbox One models. Different variations of the gaming system were produced for almost an entire decade, but has been officially retired. Instead, emphasis has been put on Xbox Series X|S.

There were many games released for the Xbox One during its heyday. Luckily, Xbox Series X|S does allow backward compatibility, which means that you can play select Xbox One games on both the Series X and Series S. Older games for Xbox 360 and the original Xbox can also be played on the newest Xbox, leaving you with lots of options to revisit the classics. Plus, the newer consoles make games from yesterday look and perform better than ever before.

When it comes to Xbox, different models are always coming out because Xbox evolves alongside the continuous advances in gaming tech and electronics. Keeping up with the different Xbox models can be a challenge if you aren’t already an avid Xbox devotee, but Microsoft has been releasing various systems since 2001. And, it looks like they will continue to come out with newer, more powerful Xbox consoles for the foreseeable future. With the right setup, you can even learn how to turn your smartphone into a handheld gaming console and play your favorite Xbox titles on the go. As long as technology keeps advancing, so will the Xbox gaming experience.

Video Games: How to Find the Best Gaming System for Families

PS4 vs. PS5: What’s the Difference and Should You Upgrade?

A Guide to the Best Gifts for Gamers