Microsoft has retired the Xbox One X in favor of the Xbox Series X, which offers 4K at 120 frames per second and other next-gen features.
But if you already have an Xbox One X, you’re probably wondering if you should upgrade. What are the primary distinctions if you do come across one of the retiring consoles for sale at a discount?
To help you decide, we have compared the respective features and specifications of the Xbox One X and Xbox Series X.
Let’s jump right in without further ado…
Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X: Overview
When comparing the Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X, there’s a lot to consider, especially if you’re looking to upgrade your current gaming space. While the Xbox Series X has surpassed the Xbox One X as the most powerful Microsoft console, the Xbox One X is still worth the cost.
If you already own an older Xbox One X, you don’t need to rush out and upgrade to Microsoft’s brand-new system; it’s still a sophisticated and capable console. Microsoft’s Xbox One X is a mid-generation refresh of the Xbox One. Consider it Microsoft’s answer to Sony’s PS4 Pro, with numerous performance enhancements such as native 4K resolution support and HDR.
As such, we believe it is the best option for players looking for a significant upgrade over their previous consoles. But now that the Xbox Series X is available, the Xbox One X’s original appeal as the most powerful console on the market no longer holds water. Microsoft’s new powerhouse is significantly more powerful than the One X, outperforming the older Xbox console in almost every other category.
Choosing between these two Xbox consoles isn’t as simple as it appears if you don’t already own an Xbox One X. They cater to a wide range of people, budgets, and needs. It’s more than just raw power; price is frequently the deciding factor in any purchase decision or potential upgrade.
Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X: At a Glance
| Key Specs | Xbox Series X | Xbox One X | ||
| HDD | 1TB PCie Gen 4 NVME SSD | 1TB | ||
| Processor | Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU @ 3.8GHz | AMD Jaguar 2.3GHz 8-core | ||
| Graphics | Custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU 52 CUs @ 1.825GHz | AMD Radeon GCN 4.0 | ||
| RAM | 16GB GDDR6 | 12GB | ||
| USB | 3 | 3 USB 3.0 ports | ||
| Weight | 4.45kg | 3.81kg | ||
| Ethernet | Gigabit | Yes | ||
| AV | – | HDMI-out, Optical Out | ||
| Brand | Microsoft | Microsoft | ||
| Release date | November 10, 2020 | November 1, 2017 | ||
| Console Family | Microsoft Xbox Series | Microsoft Xbox One | ||
| Console Type | Home Console | Home Console | ||
| Input method | Disc | Disc | ||
| Hard Disk | 1TB PCie Gen 4 NVME SSD | 1TB | ||
| RAM | 16GB GDDR6 | 12GB | ||
| Processor | Custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU @ 3.8GHz | AMD Jaguar 2.3GHz 8-core | ||
| Graphics | Custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU 52 CUs @ 1.825GHz | AMD Radeon GCN 4.0 | ||
| Ethernet | Gigabit | Yes | ||
| Weight | 4.45kg | 3.81kg | ||
| HDMI | 1 | Yes | ||
| USB | 3 | 3 USB 3.0 ports | ||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 802.11ac | Yes | ||
| AV Digital Output | – | HDMI-out, Optical Out |
Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X: Price
The Xbox Series X costs $499 / £449 / AU$749, which is the same as the Xbox One X’s original MSRP. That’s a lot of money, but the Xbox Series X packs a lot of technology into its cuboid frame. While the console was notoriously difficult to obtain, stock shortages appear to be easing nearly two years later, making it easier to find Xbox Series X and S deals.
As for the Xbox One X, Microsoft stopped producing all Xbox One consoles in 2020, so it’s now officially discontinued, making finding new stock difficult. If you come across an enticing deal, you should take advantage of it right away. The good news is that it is now significantly less expensive than the Xbox Series X, though you may have to go used.
Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X: Specification
When it comes to specifications, the Xbox Series X really stands out. The console is packed with some seriously impressive hardware, many of which allow for technological advancements that the Xbox One X simply does not have, such as graphically intensive ray tracing support and frame rates up to 120 fps. The following are the Xbox Series X specifications:
- CPU: Eight-core 3.8GHz (3.6GHz with SMT) custom AMD 7nm
- GPU: 12 teraflops, 1.825GHz (locked)
- RAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Frame rate: Up to 120 fps
- Resolution: Up to 8K
- Optical: HD Blu-Ray disk drive
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
In terms of computational power, the console’s GPU also dwarfs that of the Xbox One X. It has a 12 teraflop GPU rather than the Xbox One X’s 6 teraflop GPU, making it roughly twice as powerful as Microsoft’s previous machine.
The Xbox Series X also includes a super-fast 1TB NVMe SSD, which has a game-changing effect. Its storage system can increase load times up to 40 times faster than a standard mechanical hard drive, and the new storage format supports features like Quick Resume, which allows you to suspend and switch between multiple games simultaneously.
The SSD works in tandem with Microsoft’s new Xbox Velocity Architecture, which, while still in its early stages, promises to reduce load times and help developers overcome previous bottlenecks such as slow I/O performance and texture streaming.
The Xbox Series X CPU is also a massive upgrade over the Xbox One X CPU. It can deliver 120 frames per second at 4K resolution (assuming you have an HDMI 2.1-compliant display), and many games that were previously limited to 30 fps can now easily reach 60 fps for a more silky-smooth and responsive experience.
XBox One X
While the Xbox One X certainly shows its age, it is no slouch. Here are the Xbox One X specifications:
- CPU: Eight-core 2.3GHz custom AMD
- GPU: Six teraflops 1172 MHz
- RAM: 12GB GDDR5
- Frame rate: Up to 60 fps
- Resolution: Up to 4K
- Optical: HD Blu-Ray disk drive
- Storage: 1TB HDD
Though this may change in the future, the console is still capable of outputting a crystal-clear native 4K resolution and is compatible with all of the latest Xbox Series X games. The Xbox One X, like the Xbox Series X, includes a 4K HD Blu-Ray drive, making it an excellent choice for home theater enthusiasts looking to upgrade their setup for less.
What really holds it back is its CPU, which is a significant bottleneck for developers. Load times in some titles can be painful due to the standard mechanical drive, but this can be mitigated somewhat with an external SSD.
If you don’t mind games running at 30 frames per second, the Xbox One X is a great choice, and we’re still big fans of the console’s sleek design, quiet operation, and media capabilities. Despite its inferior specs, you can still play all of the latest Xbox One games on this older console, albeit without some enticing graphical bells and whistles.
Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X: Games
Hundreds of games have been optimized for Xbox Series X at this point. From first-party titles like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 to third-party blockbusters like Cyberpunk 2077, there’s an increasing number of Xbox Series X games available now or coming soon.
Some of the best games available now on Xbox Series X/S include:
- As Dusk Falls
- Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Dirt 5
- Dying Light 2: Stay Human
- Elden Ring
- Far Cry 6
- Hitman 3
- Microsoft Flight Simulator
- Outriders
- Resident Evil Village
- Saints Row
- Scarlet Nexus
- Scorn
- The Medium
- Watch Dogs: Legion
- Yakuza: Like a Dragon
The impressive specifications of the Series X, combined with the excellent value of the Xbox Game Pass, provide early adopters with a ready-made library that benefits from faster load times, better graphics, and higher resolution.
The Xbox Series X also has excellent backward compatibility. You can play hundreds of games from previous Xbox generations, including original Xbox titles, on your new system, but Microsoft has gone one step further with Smart Delivery. Consider this ‘forward compatibility,’ in the sense that when you buy a compatible game, it becomes available on all supporting hardware. Owners of Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox One X, for example, can receive a free upgrade to Xbox Series X.
In light of some publishers charging more for cross-gen bundles, Microsoft has recently encouraged developers to make these upgrades free via Smart Delivery. Smart Delivery also allows you to buy games like Halo Infinite now and play them later on your current-gen console, knowing you won’t have to buy them again for Series X. Your saved data will also be transferred back and forth.
Read Also: How To Connect Xbox Controller To Phone 2023 (Updated)
This means that the Xbox Series X isn’t really dangling any exclusives in front of you to force you to upgrade, at least not yet, which is an approachable technique. However, those who want to feel like they’re really getting that next-gen experience may find this frustrating.
While the Series X provides the best game version, the Xbox One X can still play it, albeit at a lower quality. Xbox is steadfast in its inclusive approach for the next generation, promising that there will be no Xbox Series X exclusives for the first couple of years and that Xbox One players will not be left behind in the transition to the next generation.
However, we’re nearly two years into the Xbox One era, and Microsoft’s lineup is starting to dwindle. Fable 4, Everwild, Hellblade 2, Forza Motorsport, Avowed, and other upcoming games are all new-gen exclusives. Sure, if you have Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can play Microsoft’s first-party lineup on Xbox One via Xbox Cloud Gaming, but not everyone has a strong enough internet connection for this.
With that in mind, there isn’t an exclusive game that will entice you to upgrade to the Xbox Series X. We doubt anyone would buy it solely for Microsoft Flight Simulator, as good as that game is. Making the upgrade will be motivated by a desire to see those games run at their peak on a faster console or by a desire to have the best possible Xbox experience available.
Other Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X Comparisons
Design
The Xbox Series X’s design deviates significantly from the norm. It is intended to stand independently, but it can also be laid on its side. However, it is significantly larger than the Xbox One X and will require more space on a TV stand.
Heat dissipation is one of the reasons for its larger size and aesthetic. The top grille allows the internal heat to dissipate, which is important because the processing chips inside will get extremely hot, and if adequate cooling measures are not implemented, the internal fan will have to work harder, resulting in a very noisy machine and, worse, one that is prone to crashing.
The Xbox One X is similarly noisy at times for the same reason, but its internal hardware is easier to keep cool because it is less specced and thus has a slimmer, more conventional profile.
Graphics
The graphics hardware differs between the two machines. The Xbox Series X is a significant improvement. It has a custom GPU that can generate 12 teraflops of power and 52 compute units that run at 1.825 GHz. That is, in essence, the most powerful graphics processing chip in any console to date, even more powerful than the one found in the PS5.
In comparison, the Xbox One X has a custom GPU with 6 teraflops of power, 40 compute units, and a clock speed of 1.172 GHz.
Regarding graphics performance, Microsoft claims the Series X is twice as powerful as the One X.
Simply put, it can run games in 4K at 60 fps natively (as long as the game is properly optimized), whereas the One X can only run a few titles in full 4K natively. And you frequently have to choose between 60 fps and 4K, not both. Some games will also run at 120 frames per second on the Xbox Series X because it has that much power.
It is also worth noting that games for the Xbox Series X can use real-time ray-tracing technology to improve in-game lighting. That feature is not available on the Xbox One X.
Storage
The Xbox Series X has SSD storage, which is much faster for read/write transfers than traditional hard drive technology. It includes a 1TB SSD, which provides a number of significant advantages. Not only do games load faster, but you can also pause one, start another, and quickly return to the original paused title (in some cases).
The Xbox One X, on the other hand, has a 1TB hard drive that is still capable and reasonably fast for normal use. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it. However, loading times at the start and within a game are much slower.
External USB 3.0 (3.1 on the Series X) drives can be used to store and play Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games on both consoles. Furthermore, the Series X has a dedicated, proprietary drive port on the back for users to plug in an optional extra 1TB SSD unit that can house additional Xbox Series X titles.
Controllers
The Xbox Series X includes a new version of the Xbox Wireless Controller. It looks similar but has a “share” button and a D-Pad design similar to the Elite 2 Pro controller.
The older Xbox controller, on the other hand, is one of the best ever released, and the best news is that you can use it on the Series X as well.
Conclusion
The Xbox Series X is an appealing prospect, particularly for those already invested in the Xbox ecosystem. With its impressive technical specs and plethora of hope for the future, the latest and best console should be seriously considered by Xbox fans.
The lack of exclusive games on the Series X is offset for early adopters by an instant collection of great games thanks to Game Pass and backward compatibility. Many games also get Xbox Series X optimizations, making them look and play better than ever. And, thanks to Smart Delivery, those looking to upgrade from their Xbox One X can buy supported games now and get a free upgrade to the Series X version once they can afford it.
Overall, it’s not a fight between the Xbox One X and the Xbox Series X. Instead, it appears that Microsoft is ensuring a smooth, flexible transition between consoles for those who can afford an upgrade and want the best of the best from an Xbox.
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