What Xbox Do You Have? [ 3 Fastest Ways to Identify It]
Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or just enjoy playing occasionally, it is essential to have the right model of Xbox that caters to your gaming needs. However, with the various Xbox models released over the years, a question you might be asking is what Xbox do I have?
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of identifying your Xbox model, so you can get the most out of your gaming experience. Let’s get into it!
How to Identify Your Xbox [3 Best Ways]
While there are various ways to identify what Xbox you have, not all of them are reliable. To help you out, we’ve narrowed down the three most trusted ways to tell which Xbox you have.
Whether you’re trying to troubleshoot an issue, upgrade your console, or are just curious about your Xbox’s specifications, these methods will help you identify what Xbox model you have with ease:
Inspect the Appearance of the Xbox Console
One of the simplest ways to know which Xbox you have is by looking at its appearance. From the shape of the consoles to power buttons, grills, and logos, each version of the Xbox has unique physical features that distinguish it from the others.
Here are the different Xbox versions and their respective physical features:
| Xbox | The original Xbox released in 2001 is a large black console with a large X logo on the top. It has four controller ports. |
| Xbox 360 | The Xbox 360, released in 2005, has a sleeker design than the original Xbox. It has a white or black case and a big ring around the power button. |
| Xbox 360 S. | The Xbox 360 S, released in 2010, is a redesigned version of the Xbox 360. It has a glossy black finish and a large power button. |
| Xbox 360 E. | The Xbox 360 E, released in 2013, is the final version of the Xbox 360. It has a similar design to the Xbox 360 S but with a matte finish and a smaller power button. |
| Xbox One. | The Xbox One, released in 2013, is a large console with square corners. The word “Xbox” IS imprinted on the power button. |
| Xbox One S. | The Xbox One S, released in 2016, has a slimmer design than the Xbox One. It has a white or black case and a built-in circular ventilation grill at the top. |
| Xbox One X. | The Xbox One X, released in 2017 has a black case with a disc drive in between the front panel top and bottom level. |
| Xbox Series X. | Xbox Series X, released in 2020 has a rectangular shape making it look like a speaker. It also has a concave grill for ventilation. |
| Xbox Series S. | Xbox Series S also released in 2020 features a black ventilation grill and a white contrasting frame. |
Check for the Xbox Serial Number Console ID
Another reliable method to know which Xbox you have is by checking the console’s serial number and/or the console ID. These numbers are unique to each console and can help you determine which version of the Xbox you have.
Check Xbox Serial Number
There are 2 ways to find your Xbox serial number:
-
Xbox Sticker. You can find the serial number of your Xbox console on the sticker located at the back or bottom part of your console. This is the fastest way.
Xbox Settings. You can also find it by going to ” Settings System” and clicking on Console Info and the serial number will appear with a list of other identification numbers.
Check Xbox Console ID
To find your Xbox console ID, you need to follow these steps:
- Step 1. Turn on your Xbox and sign in to your profile.
- Step 2. Navigate to “Profile System”.
- Step 3. Select “Settings System”.
- Step 4. Scroll down to the “Console Info” section and select “Console ID.” Your Xbox console ID will be displayed on the screen.
Find the Model Number of the Xbox Console
To find your Xbox model number, you can check the label on the back or bottom of your Xbox console. The model number is a combination of numbers that identifies the specific version of your console.
Apart from helping you identify what Xbox you have, the model number of your Xbox helps you determine which accessories and games are compatible with your console.
Each model of the Xbox has different hardware specifications and features, and some games or accessories may not be compatible with all models.
How Do I Know If My Xbox Is 500GB or 1TB?
You can if your Xbox has a 500GB or 1TB hard drive by checking the storage capacity of your Xbox in the “Settings” app. Follow these steps:
- Step 1. Turn on your Xbox console and sign in to your profile.
- Step 2. Navigate to the “Settings” tab.
- Step 3. Select “System”.
- Step 4. Scroll down to the “Storage” section and click on it.
- Step 5. Check the amount of storage available on your Xbox. It is listed in GB or TB.
If the available storage is around 500GB, then you have a 500GB Xbox. If it is around 1TB, then you have a 1TB Xbox.
If your Xbox won’t power on, you can use the serial number to find out if your Xbox is a 500GB or a 1TB model. Just register your Xbox with your serial number, go to “devices” and select your console. Then click “See details” to see the storage capacity of your Xbox model.
Alternatively, you can check the label on the original packaging of your console. The packaging or label will usually indicate the storage capacity of the console.
Is the “Xbox One S” and “Series S” the Same?
No, the “Xbox One S” and the “Xbox Series S” are not the same consoles. The Xbox One S is a previous-generation console that was released in 2016, while the Xbox Series S is a newer console that was released in 2020.
The Xbox Series S is part of the latest generation of Xbox consoles and offers more advanced hardware, better graphics, and faster load times than the Xbox One S. It is also designed to be an all-digital console, meaning that it does not have a disc drive and relies on digital downloads for games and media.
The Xbox One S, on the other hand, does have a disc drive and can play both physical game discs and digital downloads.
While both consoles share some similarities, such as their CPU, design, and user interface, they are different consoles with different capabilities and hardware.
Which Version of Xbox Is the Best?
The Xbox Series X is the best for delivering 4K gaming at 60fps since it delivers the best graphics can comes with the best hardware. The Xbox One S is an affordable console that also offers great graphics and performance and the Xbox Series S is the most budget-friendly version of the Xbox Series X. Which one is the best Xbox for you depends on your preferences.
While it comes with many of the same features, It has a slightly lower resolution output and less storage capacity. Each version of Xbox has its own strengths and weaknesses.
Ultimately, the “best” version of Xbox for you will depend on your budget, the types of games you want to play, and the features and performance that are most important to you.
Identifying Your Xbox Is Easy
Identifying what Xbox you have is a crucial step in carrying out repairs, buying compatible accessories, or understanding which games you can play.
By following the simple steps outlined in this article, you can easily know which Xbox you have and determine if the model is the original Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox One, or the latest Xbox Series X/S.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S. which one should you buy?
The battle of Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S is on. What’s the difference between them?
Microsoft’s two next gen consoles both serve different needs, but on the Xbox Series X vs Series S debate, where exactly do you fall? We’re rounding up all the key differences you need to know about to choose your console, so that you can start chasing those Xbox Series X restocks or add your Series S to cart.
This Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S throwdown will FOCUS on not just on the spec sheets between the two systems, but how each one is designed to be used. Boiled down to its very core, the Xbox Series X vs S debate comes down to how invested you are in experience the cutting edge of Microsoft’s technology, or whether you just want to play all the latest games for less.
The 299 Series S is, as you might have guessed, less powerful than its 499 shelf-mate. The former won’t be outputting at 4K resolution, has a reduced storage capacity and drops the disk drive. On the flip side, the Xbox Series X is able to hit 4K at 60fps, offers double the storage space, and allows you to run your old game disks.
So, considering that Xbox Series X price is so much higher, what exactly are you missing out on by picking up the cheaper model? As you’ll see in our analysis below, it’s not as much as you might think.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S. price
Perhaps the largest difference between the Xbox Series X and Series S is the price. The smaller white model is vastly cheaper than its fully fledged sibling, which makes it a go-to for everyday use if you’re not concerned about that 4K resolution.
In a nutshell, the Xbox Series S price is nearly half that of the Series X. You’d expect there to be plenty of features missing in the former as a result, but that’s not the case. Because of this, the value of each one comes down to what’s important to you and personal circumstance. Are you happy ditching physical game discs and going all-digital? Are you lukewarm about 4K? Do you just want to save money? If that’s the case, the Xbox Series S is for you.
Meanwhile, those who want to play games via disc (which is always handy for trading in at a later date) or would like games to look their best should add the extra 200 onto their purchase for a Series X. It’s also the sensible choice if you’d prefer to future-proof yourself. the Series X will age much better than the Series S because of its push for 4K
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S. features
Rushed for time? Here’s the long and short of it:
- Xbox Series X can run games in 4K resolution, Xbox Series S can’t
- Xbox Series S doesn’t have a disc drive
- Xbox Series S has less internal storage
- Both consoles play all next-gen games
- Xbox Series S is 60% smaller in size
First up in our Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S battle royale is a simple question: what do they do differently? Why are there two different versions of a next-gen console? It’s all about accessibility. The Series S was envisioned from the start as an entry-level machine that gets you into the next gaming generation for less. Meanwhile, Xbox Series X can be seen as the ‘full’ experience with nothing held back.
However, that’s not to say the Xbox Series S is ‘lesser’. You’re fundamentally getting a very similar experience on both consoles no matter which one you choose. That’s because the only real difference is resolution. There are others caveats, of course, but that’s the crux of it.
K resolution
In short, the Xbox Series X can display games in 4K resolution (which is much more detailed than standard HD). The Series S can’t. Instead, it opts for a 1440p resolution which is a little better than normal HD. Aside from that, all new games run on either system, and will run the same overall as well. Although it can’t manage 4K, games on Series S can still manage up to 120 frames per second for a smoother experience. specifically, Xbox Series S matches Series X on performance.
Why tone things down, though? Simply put, not everyone has a 4K TV. As such, investing in a 4K-ready console would be overkill. Why spend the extra cash if you won’t be able to appreciate the benefits? Per a Microsoft blog post explaining what makes the Series S special, the team noted that “many of our fans prioritize framerate over resolution, so we wanted to build a console that didn’t require a 4K TV”. And if you do have a 4K TV? The Series S will upscale its games.
Still, there’s one thing to note before you make a decision: next-gen games will be made primarily with 4K and the Series X in mind. They’ll then have their resolution reduced for Series S. Basically, the ‘best’ version of a game will always be on Xbox Series X.
Disc drives
Another notable difference would be the lack of a disc drive on the Xbox Series S. It’s an all-digital machine, meaning that you cannot use discs with it. You’ll have to pay for, download, and play all of your games digitally. Because the Series S has less internal storage (it only has a 512GB SSD compared to the X’s 1TB alternative), that’s something to bear in mind. Yes, you can get extra storage or use one of your old Xbox One external hard drives, but out of the box your Series S won’t have as much memory for storing games and saves.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S. specs
In terms of raw specs, the two consoles are broadly similar with only a few differences.
Xbox Series X
- 8-core AMD Zen 2 processor at 3.8GHz
- 12 teraflops processing power
- 1TB SSD
- 16GB RAM
- 4K resolution
- Up to 120fps
- 4K UHD disc drive
- Variable refresh rate
- DirectX raytracing
- Dolby TrueHD with Atmos
- HDMI 2.1
- 15.1 x 15.1 x 30.1cm
Xbox Series S
- 8-core AMD Zen 2 processor at 3.6GHz
- 4 teraflops processing power
- 512GB SSD
- 10GB RAM
- 1440p resolution
- Up to 120fps
- No disc drive
- Variable refresh rate
- DirectX raytracing
- Dolby TrueHD with Atmos
- HDMI 2.1
- 6.5 x 15.1 x 27.5cm
Alright, let’s dig into the details. Generally speaking, both consoles are comparable in the battle of Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S specs. However, the Series X is a little faster. Firstly, its processing unit is quicker thanks to a slightly higher clock-speed of 3.8GHz compared to the Series S clock-speed of 3.6GHz. In very basic terms, this means that the Series X’s CPU can handle more information per second. The difference will end up being minimal, though.
That isn’t true when it comes to the graphics card, on the other hand. In terms of pure numbers, the Series S looks like it’s flagging way behind on paper. Its GPU power only hits 4 teraflops compared to the Series X’s 12 teraflops.
Concerned? Don’t be. Even though the Xbox Series S has less of the now-infamous teraflops and less than half the number of Compute Units (or ‘CUs’) to work with, it doesn’t need to hit 4K resolution at up to 120 frames per second like the Xbox Series X. That means it can drop some unneeded weight.
It’s also worth noting that the NVMe SSD is half the size on the Xbox Series S. just 512GB compared to 1TB. The result will be a lot less space to download games. Considering the fact that many (like Call of Duty, for instance) take up hundreds of GBs by themselves, that’s a real drawback. particularly because the Series S doesn’t have a disc drive so must rely on digital downloads. There are ways around that, like buying more storage or regularly uninstalling games, but it’s a nuisance.
Which console should you buy?
As we mentioned before, your choice will depend on three main factors: your budget, resolution, and future-proofing. If you don’t want to spend all that much money and / or don’t have a 4K TV, the Xbox Series S is an obvious choice. An everyday player who just wants to pick up some cheap games with Game Pass and play through upcoming first party releases really doesn’t need more than the Series S.
At the other end of the scale, anyone who wants to use game discs, would prefer their games to look as good as possible, and fancies future-proofing themselves should be on the hunt for the Xbox Series X console.
On paper, the cheaper model won’t win the Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S battle. However, in everyday use, it’s far more flexible than you might think.
Xbox Series X vs. Xbox Series S: Which One is Right for Me?
We break down the differences between Xbox’s next-gen video game consoles.
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are Xbox’s next-gen video game consoles that were released during the holiday season of 2020.
While both consoles are technically part of the same console generation (similar to how the Xbox One and Xbox One S are in the same generation), there are some noteworthy differences between the systems.
We’re here with a look at the major differences (and similarities) between the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, so you can have all of the information you need to decide which console is right for your family.
Price and Release Date
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launched on November 10, 2020.
The Xbox Series X costs 499, while the Xbox Series S is 200 cheaper, at 299.
You can purchase either console individually, or purchase your desired system through an Xbox All Access installment plan.
Through the Xbox All Access program, you can purchase the console of your choice, along with a 24-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, for a flat monthly price for 24 months.
(As a reminder, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is Xbox’s game subscription service that gives you unlimited access to over 100 console and PC games, as well as Xbox Live Gold, for a flat monthly price.)
Through the Xbox All Access program, the Xbox Series X is available for 34.99 per month for 24 months, while the Xbox Series S can be purchased for 24.99 per month for 24 months.
Disc Drive or No Disc Drive
Aside from the price, one of the biggest differences between the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S is the fact that the Xbox Series S does not include a disc drive. This means you will not be able to play any of the Xbox games you purchase at the store using their physical discs. You’ll only be able to play games that you’ve downloaded over the internet.
Physically, the Xbox Series S is a much smaller console than the Xbox Series X, so if space near the TV is a concern, keep that in mind.
Performance and Storage
The Xbox Series X is a more powerful console than the Xbox Series S, and it also has more space to store games.
Specifically, the Xbox Series X will contain a 1TB solid state drive (SSD), while the Xbox Series S will only have a 512GB SSD (that’s about half of the space). You’ll be able to expand the storage capacity for both consoles by purchasing a separate expansion card.
The Xbox Series X will also support 4K at 60 FPS (and up to 120 FPS), while the Series S supports 1440p at 60 FPS (and up to 120 FPS).
Aside from these differences, both consoles will be able to play next-gen Xbox games, as well as play “thousands” of Xbox One games and backwards-compatible Xbox 360 games. You’ll also be able to use your Xbox One accessories with both systems.
Check out the image below for a more in-depth comparison of the two consoles’ technical performance.
Smart Delivery
The Xbox One X will support a special feature called Smart Delivery. If your family already owns an Xbox One and you plan to upgrade to an Xbox One X, this Smart Delivery feature will allow you to purchase a game for Xbox One, and then receive an upgrade to the Xbox Series X version of the title at a later time, without buying the game all over again.
Xbox will use Smart Delivery with all of its Xbox Game Studios titles, and all developers and publishers will have the option to use the feature for their own games.
You can learn more about Smart Delivery in our previous coverage.
The Xbox Series X and S aren’t the only new video game consoles that launched in 2020. If you’re interested in learning about the differences between the Playstation 5 and Playstation 5 Digital Edition, check out our guide.
Or, if you’re looking for the best kid-friendly games on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, we have a list of recommendations right here.
Brandy Berthelson has been writing about video games and technology since 2006, with her work appearing on sites including AOL Games, Digital Spy, and Adweek’s Social Pro Daily. When she’s not gaming, Brandy enjoys crafting, baking, and traveling with her husband.
Xbox Wiki
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Xbox Series X
Code name
Selling Price
Backward Compatibility
Predecessor
The Xbox Series X (codenamed Anaconda) is a home video game console that was released worldwide on November 10, 2020. [2] Originally announced at E3 2019, with a full unveiling at The Game Awards 2019, the Xbox Series X was released as a successor to the Xbox One line of consoles.
The console is priced at US499 and is defined by three main factors: power, speed, and compatibility. [3]
A more affordable digital model of the Series X, the Xbox Series S was also launched on November 10 at the price of 299. [4]
Pre-orders for the console began on September 22, 2020, [5] with pre-orders completely selling within an hour in some regions. [6]
Contents
- 2.1 Floating ping pong balls
- 2.2 Consoles emitting smoke controversy
- 4.1 SSD Storage
- 4.2 Quick Resume
- 4.3 Dynamic Latency Input
- 4.4 HDMI 2.1
- 4.5 Improved frame rates
- 4.6 Smart Delivery
- 4.7 FPS Boost
- 6.1 Development
- 6.2 New Xbox Experience
- 7.1 Xbox One forwards compatibility
- 7.2 Game Pass
- 7.3 Play Anywhere
- 8.1 Controller
- 8.2 Backwards compatibility
Announcement
Originally teased during the 2018 Xbox E3 Briefing, head of Xbox Phil Spencer stated that they were “deep into architecting the next Xbox consoles, where we will once again deliver on our commitment to deliver the benchmark of console gaming.” Spencer also mentioned the company’s work on AI and on Cloud technologies. [7]
A year later at E3 2019, the next Xbox was officially announced. Known as Project Scarlett at the time, the specs and a release window for the console were revealed in a short video.
Several months later at The Game Awards 2019, the console was officially unveiled by Phil Spencer. The design, name of the console and controller were all shown in a two minute announcement video. During this announcement, Phil Spencer revealed that the new console would be the fastest and most powerful Xbox ever and would set a new bar for performance. He also revealed that developers were already hard at work creating games for the next generation console. This included the studios within Xbox Game Studios.
Launch
The Xbox Series X launched world wide on November 10, 2020. The console launched with access to over 1000 games from the past four generation of Xbox. The Series X sold out almost instantly, with consoles being very hard to come by. It was later revealed that the Xbox Series X and S was the biggest launch for an Xbox console ever [8]. with more consoles sold in its first 24 hours, in more countries, than any Xbox before.
It was estimated by industry analysis Daniel Ahmed, that combined sales of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S totaled to approximately 3.5 million through the end of 2020 [9].
Floating ping pong balls
On November 11, one day after the consoles launch, Reddit user SnowFlakesMilkHoney uploaded an image of a ping pong ball being held up above their Xbox Series X by the air being emitted from their console as they were playing Forza Horizon 4. The image quickly gained traction, gaining almost a hundred thousand upvotes [10]. Similar videos began to surface online of other people managing to get a ping pong ball to float above their console [11]. The original image was shared across a multitude of discussion boards and was even covered by video game news outlets such as IGN and Gamespot [12].
These videos were quickly debunked, with many users testing out the viral video on their own Xbox Series X consoles. [13]. Disappointingly, it was found that the Xbox Series X’s fans were unable to suspend anything at all. A variety of objects were tested, including feathers and pieces of paper while different games were running on the console, with all objects failing to lift off of the surface of the console.
Consoles emitting smoke controversy
—Official Xbox account
Not long after the Series X launched, various videos began appearing online of smoke emitting from the main fan on top of the console. Owners became concerned about the possible high failure rate of their new consoles. However, it was revealed by user @XboxStudio that the smoke was not due to hardware failure but rather vape smoke being blown through the back vents on the console, causing the smoke to travel through the inside of the console and come out of the top fan.
Not long after the videos were debunked, the official Xbox account posted a tweet asking Xbox Series X owners to not blow vape smoke into their new consoles.
Design
The Xbox Series X has a design unlike any other console seen before. Rather than being a flat horizontal shape, the Series X is a tall rectangular shape. The console can also be placed horizontally, as there are small feet on one of the sides of the console. The console’s dimensions are 151mm x 151mm x 301mm, making the console slightly larger than the Xbox One X.
The disc drive is on the bottom left side of the console with a connect button and a USB port being on the other side of it. Ventilation for the console is now on top of the system. Rather than being flat, the vent grill is curved. This design choice has been done to make the console as quiet as possible, with the single, large fan pushing high volumes of air out of the top.
In late March 2020, Digital Foundry reported that the green glow from the vent does not come from a light rather “a simple green plastic insert that sits between the fan and the internals”.
The back of the console has two large vents on both sides. Between the vents are two USB-A ports, an ethernet port, a power connection, a HDMI-Out port and a slot for expandable storage.
The expandable storage slot that is present on the back side of the console can be used with 1TB Storage Expansion Cards. The cards allow users to expand the storage on their console. Additionally, USB drives can be used to further increase storage at a much lower cost. However, Series X games on USB drives cannot be played off the drive (as they require NVMe SSD speed), meaning if the user wants to play a Series X game on the USB drive they must move it to the main storage on the console or the Storage Expansion Card. Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games can be played directly off USB drives.
New features
The Xbox Series X includes a wide range of both software and hardware improvements that allow games to be accessed faster and played in much higher quality when compared to previous Xbox consoles.
SSD Storage
The Xbox Series X and S now use SSD as its main form of storage as opposed to the regular hard drives used on the previous generation of consoles. SSDs are much faster than regular hard drives, allowing for improved gameplay, larger game worlds and much faster loading times.
The Series X uses an M.2 2230 NVMe SSD manufactured by Western Digital, that is held in a slot on the consoles motherboard [15]. The console’s storage can be expanded with any external drive or the with the 1TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card which can be inserted directly into the console and features the same speeds and performance as the internal SSD.
Quick Resume
Quick Resume allows multiple games to be suspended at once, allowing the user to instantly pick up exactly from where they left off without the game having to restart. Think of it as having a number of programs opened on a Windows desktop and being able to minimize a program so they are no longer on the screen but are still open for quick access.
Games that are in Quick Resume can be viewed from a menu in My Games Apps, the dashboard and the guide. From these menus, any of the games that are currently in Quick Resume can be launched or removed from Quick Resume so that next time the game is opened it has to relaunch and load in everything again.
It is said that up to twelve Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games can be held in Quick Resume at one time [16]. Whereas up to three Xbox Series X|S games can be Quick Resumed at once [17].
Games will also stay in Quick Resume even after the console has been turned off, fully shut down, updated or even unplugged, allowing the user to pick up right where they left off [18].
Dynamic Latency Input
DLI will help get rid of input lag. This new feature will synchronize input immediately with what is displayed, controls are aimed at being more precise and responsive [19].
HDMI 2.1
In a blogpost on Xbox Wire in late February 2020, the Xbox Team revealed that they had partnered with the HDMI forum and TV manufacturers to allow for the best gaming experience through features such as Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). ALLM allows for both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X to automatically set the connected display to its lowest latency mode. VRR makes consoles synchronize the display’s refresh rate to the game’s frame rate, allowing games to run smooth visuals without tearing. This will reduce lag and make gameplay very responsive.
Improved frame rates
With the upgraded hardware of the Xbox Series X, the console is now capable of outputting games at 120fps. This enhanced hardware also allows developers of titles to go above and beyond the usual 60fps output from last generation.
Smart Delivery
A major new feature available on the Xbox Series X is Smart Delivery. Smart Delivery is a feature that means that players will be able to purchase a game on Xbox One and be able to gain access to the next gen version with all upgrades for free.
No matter what Xbox is being played on, it doesn’t matter whether the game is being bought for Xbox One or Xbox Series X, players will always have the right copy for what platform they are playing on.
This feature has been confirmed for multiple titles including Halo Infinite and Far Cry 6. If the game is bought for Xbox One either physically or digitally, the game will work on the Xbox Series X with bonus enhancements that will take advantage of the consoles power and additional features.
FPS Boost
FPS Boost is a feature that allows the frame rate on older games to be significantly improved, allowing for much smoother gameplay on the newer consoles.
The feature was announced and made available for five different games on February 17, 2021. The feature allows for the frame rates in select Xbox One backwards compatible games to be improved by two to four times [20] [21].
The program works in a similar way to the original Xbox/Xbox 360 backwards compatibility meaning that rather than all games being able to benefit from the FPS boost at the same time, each game must be first tested and will then eventually be able to take advantage of the enhancements once testing has completed. The feature requires no input from game developers [22]. The first titles to benefit from this update included Sniper Elite 4. UFC 4. and [23].
Improvements from FPS boost can be toggled on and off depending on the users preference, through a compatibility tab that can be found in the same place as where game storage and file info is within My Games Apps. If a game is taking advantage of FPS boost, a small icon will be shown in the top right whenever the guide is opened while the FPS boosted game is running.
Specifications
Full specifications for the Xbox Series X were officially revealed on March 16, 2020 [24].
| CPU | 8x Cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz w/ SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU |
| GPU | 12.155 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU |
| Die Size | 360.45 mm2 |
| Process | 7nm Enhanced |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 w/ 320b bus |
| Memory Bandwidth | 10GB @ 560 GB/s, 6GB @ 336 GB/s |
| Internal Storage | 1 TB Custom NVME SSD |
| I/O Throughput | 2.4 GB/s (Raw), 4.8 GB/s (Compressed, with custom hardware decompression block) |
| Expandable Storage | 1 TB Expansion Card (matches internal storage exactly) |
| External Storage | USB 3.2 External HDD Support |
| Optical Drive | 4K UHD Blu-Ray Drive |
| Performance Target | 4K @ 60 FPS, Up to 120 FPS |
User interface
Development
Prior to the Xbox Series X’s launch many rumors were going around that the Xbox Series X would launch with a brand new dashboard. However on May 11, 2020 GameSpot released an interview that was held with Xbox director of program management [25]
—Jason Ronald in an interview with GameSpot
Jason also stated that players won’t be caught off guard by any drastic changes to the Dashboard. details would be revealed about the revamped Dashboard as the console got closer to its launch.
—Jason Ronald talking about the Xbox Series X Dashboard in an interview with GameSpot.
In mid August 2020, Xbox announced the New Xbox Experience, a brand new ecosystem connecting a wide range of devices that lets users play the way they want [26].
New Xbox Experience
The Xbox Series X was launched with a revised user interface, known as the New Xbox Experience. The New Xbox Experience was also made available for Xbox One consoles via a system update when the Xbox Series X launched.
The Dashboard remained mostly the same as the current Xbox One Dashboard but was optimized to be much faster and responsive. Small visual changes were also made to the Dashboard that included rounded tiles and the option for live backgrounds.
An updated version of the guide was also included with the new software that includes a revised design and reorganized tabs. One of the most noticeable changes to the UI include the new store which was completely redesigned for faster accessibility.
Games
The Xbox Series X launched with over a thousand games spanning four generation of gaming. The Xbox Series X is backwards compatible with the past three generations of Xbox, this includes every game that was available on Xbox One a part from games that require the Kinect [27]. This means that the console is once again able to play select original Xbox and Xbox 360 games.
Xbox One forwards compatibility
In January 2020, Xbox Game Studios, announced that Xbox Series X games will also be playable on the Xbox One for the first year. This allows for cross-generation multiplayer and gives Xbox One owners the ability to play some of the Xbox Series X’s line-up even if they don’t choose to upgrade their hardware. The downside to this choice is that developing games for both a brand new console and a seven year console could cause some difficulties for developers.
Game Pass
Xbox Game Pass returns to the Xbox Series X, once again bringing a huge variety of games for its subscribers. All games that are being developed by first party Xbox studios will be available the day they release on Xbox Game Pass.
Play Anywhere
On multiple occasions, Phil Spencer has mention that he would like to see the Xbox Series X incorporate console incorporate Xbox Play Anywhere, so players can move seamlessly between devices, such as Windows 10 PC’s, Xbox One consoles and the Series X/S. This allows users to track their achievements and progress much more efficiently.
Accessories
Controller
As well as the console, the Xbox Series X controller was also shown during the original announcement video. The new controller is very similar to its predecessor the Xbox One controller. The controller will be slightly smaller but still be the same and shape as the Xbox One controller, however there are two slight changes to the design. The first being between the and buttons is the new button. Pressing this button will instantly take a capture of what is on screen and long pressing the button will take a video capture. This allows users to create and share in game moments much faster than navigating through multiple menus as done on previous Xbox Wireless controllers.
The other most notable change is the D-Pad. Rather than being a flat shape like on older models, the D-Pad is now a concave shape similar to what has been used on the Xbox One Elite Controller and its successor.
Another minor change that on the controller is the addition of textured triggers, bumpers and grips that was previously only used on some Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controllers.
The controller is also compatible on Xbox One consoles, PC’s and iOS and Android devices.
Backwards compatibility
In June 2019 while the Xbox Series X was still only known as Project Scarlett, Microsoft confirmed that all third generation Xbox One controllers (Xbox One S controllers) will work on Project Scarlett. This also includes both the Series 1 and Series 2 Elite Controllers.
—Jason Ronald- Partner Director of Program Management
This means that all Xbox One headsets (including third party ones as well) and other accessories will be compatible will the next gen console unlike the Xbox One was with the Xbox 360.
Xbox Series S
An all digital, cheaper alternative to the Xbox Series X was also released on November 10, 2020. The Xbox Series S includes almost all of the same features as the Xbox Series X, with the most noticeable differences being the lack of a disc drive and much smaller Robot White design.
The console was announced almost nine months after the Xbox Series X was announced, with the console being marketed as “Next-gen performance in the smallest Xbox ever”. The affordable price tag also helped the console make up for the the highest percentage of new players for any Xbox console at launch.
Prior to the original announcement of the console, the specifications of the console were leaked online with the console being said to support; DirectX Ray Tracing, Variable Rate Shading and Variable Refresh Rates. During the official unveiling of the Xbox Series S, it was also announced that the console would output video at 1440p at 60 FPS with some games also supporting up to 120 FPS like the Series X.
Name and branding
Known in development officially as Project Scarlett, the Xbox Series X was a name that came as a surprise to many people. Up until the original unveiling of the console, the Xbox Series X was mostly known as the Xbox Two. When questioned about the what the console would be named some time before The Game Awards 2019, Microsoft stated that Project Scarlett’s name would reflect the console’s capabilities [28].
On December 12, 2019 the official name for the new console was unveiled, Xbox Series X. Some people found this name confusing and believed it would be difficult for some people to distinguish between the Xbox One X and the Xbox Series X.
The name also suggested that Microsoft was planning to release more consoles, hence the name. For example, the Lockhart model of the console which has now been confirmed to be the the Xbox Series S.
Almost a week after the consoles unveiling, Microsoft confirmed to Business Insider that this generation of Xbox would be known as just Xbox. With the first model in this line of consoles being the Xbox Series X. [29]
—A Microsoft employee to Business Insider
This once again hints at Microsoft releasing more than one console. So essentially Xbox is the make and Series X is just a model from that range.
Cloud gaming
During gamescom 2021, Xbox announced that its Cloud gaming service (previously known as xCloud) would be making its way to the Xbox Series X and S, as well as Xbox One consoles later that year for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members. This means that users will be able launch and play any game from the within the Cloud gaming library without the need to download it. Additionally Xbox One consoles will be able to play new games designed specifically for Xbox Series X and S consoles, by streaming the game from the Cloud.
Any title that can be played from the Cloud will be marked with a small Cloud icon on the boxart of the game, when viewing it from the Game Pass app on consoles. The service will support streaming titles at up to 1080p and at 60fps.
Testing for the service will be rolled out to select Xbox Insiders in Fall 2021, with a full release expected for the end of the year.
Leaks
Shortly after the announcement of the console several leaks began to emerge about what ports would be included on the back of the consoles. Numerous renders of the console included multiple USB-C ports. However, these renders were all deemed to be fake.
In late January 2020, a prototype of the console was leaked online by NeoGAF user Curry Panda. The leak showed all back ports of the console which included two USB-A ports, an optical audio port, an Ethernet port, and one HDMI port, along with a power connection. Two large vents on both sides of the ports are also shown.
When more details about the console were officially revealed in March 2020, it was revealed that this leak was 100% real.
