A few years have passed since the launch of the Xbox Series X and Series S, and while the console series has not achieved record-breaking sales figures, it has maintained a substantial presence in the market. Microsoft is now introducing new all-digital versions of these consoles, forgoing the traditional optical drive. These versions are currently available for order.
The decision to purchase these new iterations is debatable. Microsoft has been transparent in expressing its vision for a future where “every screen is an Xbox,” highlighting the importance of PC gaming on Windows, whether on gaming laptops or handheld devices, in addition to the traditional living room console. Xbox games can now also be streamed through devices like a Fire TV stick. Despite this shift, there remain valid reasons to consider acquiring an Xbox Series X/S, as it continues to offer a convenient setup for a Microsoft-centric gaming experience from the comfort of one’s couch.
As of October 2024, the language has been updated to reflect the official launch day of these Xbox consoles. A new version of these consoles, similar to the recent PS5 Slim, shows only minor changes in this mid-cycle refresh. The Xbox Series X and Series S retain mostly the same hardware specifications. Notably, the Xbox Series X has dropped its disc drive and adopted a white design, available at $450, which is about $50 less than its predecessor’s price due to the omission of physical gaming capabilities.
The Xbox Series S, originally disc-free, now offers increased storage capacity from 512 GB to 1 TB, resulting in a price increase to $350. This change addresses the growing file sizes of AAA games, although users can still expand storage using an expansion card.
Additionally, Microsoft is releasing a limited-edition version of the original Xbox Series X, featuring a “Galaxy Black” paint scheme and a substantial 2 TB of storage. This model, priced at $600, will be available alongside the other updated consoles in mid-October.
Coinciding with these hardware updates, Microsoft has revised the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. The new Xbox Game Pass Standard now includes a console game library along with online multiplayer services but excludes day-one release access, meaning players could wait up to 12 months or more for new games. The monthly cost of this tier is set at $15. Game Pass Ultimate has seen a price increase from $17 to $20 monthly.