The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are the fourth generation of consoles in Microsoft's Xbox series, following the Xbox One. Released on November 10, 2020, the Series X and Series S are part of the ninth generation of video game consoles, which also includes Sony's PlayStation 5, released the same month.
Both consoles use an AMD 64-bit x86-64 CPU and GPU. They include solid-state drives to reduce loading times, support for hardware-accelerated ray-tracing and spatial audio, the ability to convert games to high-dynamic-range rendering using machine learning (Auto HDR), support for HDMI 2.1 variable refresh rate and low-latency modes, and updated controllers. The Xbox Series X is designed to display games in 2160p (4K resolution) at 60 frames per second (FPS). The lower-end, digital-only Xbox Series S, which lacks an optical drive, is designed to display games in 1440p at 60 FPS, with support for 4K upscaling and ray tracing.
The Xbox Series X/S are backwards-compatible with most Xbox One-compatible games and accessories, including Xbox 360 and original Xbox games that were compatible with the Xbox One. The newer hardware improves game performance and visuals. At launch, Microsoft encouraged a "soft" transition between generations, similar to PC gaming, by offering the "Smart Delivery" framework to provide upgraded versions of Xbox One titles optimized for the Series X/S.
Critics praised the hardware improvements over the Xbox One and Microsoft's focus on cross-generation releases but noted that launch games did not fully use the new hardware's capabilities. As of June 2024, Xbox Series consoles are estimated to have sold over 28 million units worldwide.
History
Industry rumors about new Xbox hardware began as early as June 2018. At that time, Microsoft’s Phil Spencer confirmed that the company was "deep into designing the next Xbox consoles." The hardware was expected to be a group of devices under the codename "Scarlett," including a low-cost version following a similar plan as the Xbox One family of consoles. This version focused heavily on game streaming and backward compatibility, allowing players to use games from older Xbox systems.
By March 2019, more rumors suggested that the Scarlett family would include two consoles, with the codenames "Anaconda" and "Lockhart." The "Lockhart" version was expected to be the lower-cost option.
Microsoft officially confirmed Project Scarlett during its E3 2019 press conference. The company stated it aimed for a "soft" transition from the Xbox One to Scarlett, meaning Scarlett would support backward compatibility with all Xbox One games and most of its hardware. At The Game Awards 2019, Microsoft revealed the design of Scarlett and its new branding, "Xbox Series X," along with a planned release date in late 2020. A Microsoft spokesperson later noted that the Xbox Series X would be the fourth generation of Xbox hardware, branded simply as "Xbox" without a subtitle.
Microsoft planned to share details about the hardware specifications and launch games for the Series X at the 2020 Game Developers Conference (GDC) and E3 2020. However, these events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Microsoft held online presentations in March 2020. Detailed specifications were later shared by Microsoft, Digital Foundry, and Austin Evans of Overclock Media on March 16, 2020. From May to the launch date, Microsoft planned a series of online events called "Xbox 20/20," including an Xbox Games Showcase on July 23, 2020, which highlighted games from Microsoft’s first-party Xbox Game Studios.
On July 16, 2020, Microsoft announced it would stop producing the Xbox One X and the all-digital version of the Xbox One S to prepare for the new Xbox Series X and Series S consoles.
The existence of the Xbox Series S had been guessed before E3 2019, based on a project called "Lockhart," which was expected to be a lower-cost version of the Scarlett family. The name "Xbox Series S" was later confirmed through early Xbox hardware accessories. Microsoft officially announced the Series S on September 8, 2020, stating it would be released alongside the Series X in November 2020. Microsoft noted that the Series S had been subtly shown in the background of previous Xbox videos featuring Phil Spencer in July 2020.
During Gamescom 2023, Phil Spencer said Microsoft was unlikely to produce a mid-generation revision of the Series X or Series S, as it could cause problems with game specifications. Instead, he stated that future hardware should have a clear and different purpose compared to previous versions, and that the next generation of consoles would likely be the tenth generation.
Hardware
When Microsoft’s Xbox development team began working on the next version of the Xbox One consoles around 2016, they planned to create two different console models, similar to the Xbox One X and Xbox One S, to meet the needs of various markets. By designing both models at the same time, they ensured that games could be played on both systems without any problems. As with past Xbox projects, the consoles were given code names based on cities. The Xbox Series S was named Project Lockhart, after Lockhart, Texas, a city described by Aaron Greenberg as “the little city with the big heart.”
For the high-end Xbox Series X, Microsoft aimed to double the graphical performance of the Xbox One X, measured in floating point operations per second (FLOPS), and to increase the CPU’s power four times compared to the Xbox One X while keeping the same noise level as older consoles. As engineers worked on the design, they found that the parts needed for these goals would use a lot of power (about 315 watts) and create a lot of heat. This led to the decision to place the CPU, GPU, and memory on one circuit board and slower input/output (I/O) functions on a second board. Mounting the boards on opposite sides of an aluminum case helped direct airflow for cooling. Other parts, such as the heat sink, power supply, and cooling fan, were arranged in a way that fit tightly together, creating a compact, tower-like shape. To control noise, the system includes sensors to adjust the fan’s speed, and the open top of the console helps airflow. While some parts, like the optical drive and heat sink, set certain size limits, the team was happy to achieve a square shape for the console.
Xbox head Phil Spencer said Microsoft focused on achieving high frame rates and faster load times rather than higher resolutions. The Series X does this by matching the CPU and GPU’s power more effectively. Compared to the Xbox One X, the Series X’s CPU is about four times faster, and its GPU is twice as powerful.
The Xbox Series X uses a custom 7 nm AMD chip that combines a Zen 2 CPU and an RDNA 2 GPU. The CPU has eight cores running at 3.8 GHz, or 3.66 GHz when using simultaneous multithreading (SMT). One core is reserved for the operating system. The GPU is a custom version of AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture with 56 compute units (CUs), 3,584 cores, and 52 CUs (3,328 cores) enabled. It runs at a fixed 1.825 GHz and can handle 12.155 teraflops of calculations. The console has 16 GB of GDDR6 SDRAM, with 10 GB used for graphics and 6 GB for other tasks. After system software uses some memory, about 13.5 GB remains for games and apps. The Series X is designed to render games at 4K resolution with 60 frames per second. While it was advertised to support 8K resolution in the future, Microsoft did not deliver this feature.
The Xbox Series X has a compact, minimalist design. It measures 15.1 cm × 15.1 cm (5.9 in × 5.9 in) in width, is 30.1 cm (11.9 in) tall, and weighs 4.45 kg (9.8 lb). It can stand upright or be placed on its side. The front has a power button and an Ultra HD Blu-ray drive. The top has a single powerful fan. Spencer said the console is as quiet as the Xbox One X. It includes an HDMI 2.1 port, a storage expansion slot, three USB 3.2 ports, and an Ethernet port. It does not include an infrared blaster or HDMI pass-through, instead using HDMI-CEC. An earlier design had a TOSLINK port for audio, but this was removed. The console has an infrared receiver on the controller pairing button next to the front USB port.
The Xbox Series S has similar hardware to the Series X, like the Xbox One S compared to the Xbox One X, but with less power. It uses the same CPU but with slightly slower speeds and a slower GPU, a custom RDNA 2 chip with 20 CUs running at 1.55 GHz for 4.006 teraflops. It has 10 GB of GDDR6 SDRAM, with 8 GB for graphics and 2 GB for other tasks. It includes a 512 GB SSD with a 2.4 GB/s input/output speed. It does not have an optical drive, so all games and software must be downloaded from the Microsoft Store. It is designed to render games at 1440p resolution with 60 frames per second, and some games can support native 4K resolution, like Ori and the Will of the Wisps. It costs $299.99 and has the same ports, expansion options, and game support as the Series X.
The Series S is smaller and more portable, fitting easily into a bag or backpack. It is about 60% smaller in volume than the Series X, measuring 275 mm × 151 mm × 63.5 mm (10.83 in × 5.94 in × 2.50 in) when upright. Its large side has an exhaust port for cooling, and additional vents are on the top. Like the Series X, it has a USB port and controller pairing button with an infrared receiver on the front. The back has a power connector, one HDMI port, two USB ports, and an Ethernet port. It can be placed horizontally with the exhaust port facing up for airflow. The Series S launched with a matte white case and matching controller, unlike the matte black of the Series X.
Both consoles use a new storage system called the Xbox Velocity Architecture, which includes hardware and software to improve transfer speeds, reduce digital download sizes, and give developers more flexibility. This system uses a custom NVMe SSD. The Series X has a 1 TB SSD (802 GB available) with a 2.4 GB/s input/output speed. It includes hardware for compressing and decompressing data, using both standard and custom algorithms to reach up to 4.8 GB/s. Software like the DirectStorage API in DirectX lets developers manage input/output tasks more efficiently. The Series S has a 512 GB SSD (364 GB available) with similar hardware and software. All SSDs use a PCI Express 4.0 x2 link.
Software
Both consoles have a user interface similar to the Xbox One, but they use 40% less memory to make them faster. The Home section loads in about half the time it took on the Xbox One. Other changes include rounded UI elements, a clearer font for text, rearranged features, and better sharing functions. These updates were added to the Xbox One system software, the Windows Xbox app, and the Xbox mobile app in September 2020. System previews showed that about 200 GB of space is set aside on the Xbox Series X's internal drive for system files.
The Xbox Series S and Series X support "Quick Resume," letting users pause and restart up to three games at the same time. Games can be restarted even if the console is turned off and back on. In March 2022, users could "pin" up to two games to Quick Resume, keeping them paused unless closed manually or if the game needs an update.
Like older Xbox consoles, the Series S and X use the Xbox network for online services. It supports Xbox Game Pass, letting members download games from a library of available titles. In October 2021, Xbox Cloud Gaming, part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, was upgraded to use Xbox Series X servers instead of Xbox One S servers, making game loading faster.
Apps for streaming services are available through the Microsoft Store. The Apple TV app was first available on Xbox platforms with the release of the Series S and X.
Microsoft allows all retail Xbox Series X and S consoles to use "Dev mode," a testing environment for developers to try out games and apps.
Games
When the Xbox Series X and S were launched, Microsoft ensured that new games would be available for both the older Xbox One and the new consoles. Matt Booty, head of Xbox Game Studios, stated that Microsoft wanted to show Xbox One owners that their purchase was still valuable and that the company would continue supporting them with new content. Spencer noted that many Xbox Game Studios subsidiaries had experience creating games for personal computers, where developers must account for a wide variety of hardware. This approach allows games to run well on Xbox One while also taking advantage of the new consoles’ improved features, such as higher graphics quality, faster frame rates, ray tracing, and support for the consoles’ storage systems.
For some games, improvements from the Xbox One version to the Xbox Series X/S version are possible due to the new hardware. These games are marked with an "Optimized for Series X" logo. Microsoft introduced a feature called "Smart Delivery," which automatically downloads the Xbox Series X/S versions of backward-compatible games when available. This feature is aimed at publishers planning to release versions of games specifically for the new consoles after their initial release on Xbox One and for users upgrading from Xbox One to the new consoles.
Microsoft does not prevent developers from creating games exclusive to the Xbox Series X/S, but the company prefers a "soft" transition similar to PC gaming. This means developers can target higher-end hardware for optimal performance while still allowing the game to be playable on lower-end hardware, such as older Xbox One consoles.
Initially, Spencer said that first-party studios would support both Xbox One and Xbox Series X for the "next couple of years." However, some first-party games introduced in the Xbox Game Showcase in July 2020 did not mention Xbox One support, and their websites later removed references to Xbox One. Aaron Greenberg, general manager of Xbox Games Marketing, clarified that these games were being developed for the Xbox Series X first, leaving the decision to add Xbox One support to the development studios. In June 2023, Matt Booty stated that in-house studios had "moved on to Gen 9" and were no longer creating new games for the Xbox One.
Microsoft has not required third-party developers to follow the same transition rules. Publishers can choose to offer Xbox Series X exclusives or other upgrade paths from Xbox One editions of games. However, Microsoft encouraged publishers to keep upgrade paths free if they chose this option. CD Projekt RED and Ubisoft have committed to using Smart Delivery for their upcoming releases. Electronic Arts confirmed that Madden NFL 21 would include a free update patch from the Xbox One version to the Xbox Series X version before the next Madden NFL game was released.
The Xbox Game Preview program, which allows games to be released through early access, continued with the Xbox Series X/S line, as seen with Spacebase Startopia in January 2021.
Microsoft stated that the Xbox Series X and S would support all games playable on the Xbox One (excluding those requiring the Kinect sensor), including Xbox 360 and original Xbox games currently supported through backward compatibility on the Xbox One. This allows the new consoles to support four generations of games. To achieve this, Microsoft announced in June 2019 that it would stop adding new Xbox 360 or original Xbox games to the Xbox One backward compatibility program and instead focus on ensuring older games work on the Xbox Series X. Backward compatibility was a launch feature, with Microsoft investing over 500,000 hours to test thousands of games from the Xbox One library. Spencer mentioned in December 2019 that he personally helped test backward compatibility games. As the launch approached, Microsoft reopened the option for players to suggest additional games for backward compatibility, stating that preserving gaming history involves complex technical and licensing challenges but remains a priority.
Advanced graphics features not originally programmed into older games can be added when played on the new consoles, such as automated high-dynamic-range rendering (HDR) support using machine learning, framerate doubling, 16x anisotropic filtering, and resolution upscale. Work by the Xbox Advanced Technology Group before launch focused on how far these improvements could be applied to the backward-compatibility library, including original Xbox games. Features like HDR or improved frame rates were added to games that previously had fixed frame rates. Backward-compatible games are also supported by the Quick Resume feature. Cloud saves can be used to transfer data from Xbox One, and Microsoft added free cloud saves for Xbox 360 to allow migration to the Series S/X.
The Xbox Series S can play Xbox One games with improved performance, texture filtering, and auto HDR support, but it does not support Xbox One X-specific enhancements. Microsoft provides tools for developers to check the performance of their Xbox One games on the Series X and S consoles, which can suggest optimizations "as easy as changing three lines of code" to support backward compatibility improvements. In February 2021, Microsoft introduced FPS Boost, a feature for select backward-compatible games that can improve their frame rates on the Xbox Series X and S by two to four times. This feature requires Microsoft engineers to prepare each game individually, with five games supported initially and more added over time. FPS Boost was developed after engineers noticed that newer consoles’ CPUs and GPUs often remained idle even with other enhancements, so they found ways to use unused processing power to improve older games. As of May 2021, about 97 games were updated to support FPS Boost.
In March 2021, Microsoft began testing the Auto HDR feature with Windows-compatible games and computers that meet minimum requirements supported through DirectX.
Release and promotion
In March 2020, Microsoft said that even though the COVID-19 pandemic was happening, they still planned to send the Xbox Series X to stores by the end of 2020. They were checking supply chains and making sure workers were safe. Later, Spencer said that while the hardware would be ready on time, some games planned for the Xbox Series X launch might be delayed because of the pandemic. By August 2020, Microsoft confirmed that the Xbox Series X would be released in November 2020, showing the console’s launch was still on schedule.
The Xbox Series X and Series S consoles were released on November 10, 2020. The Series X cost $499, £449, and €499, while the Series S cost $299, £249, and €299. In China, the consoles were released on June 10, 2021. Microsoft said 31 games would be available at launch, including titles from Xbox Game Studios, other companies, and games from the Xbox One that could be played on the new consoles. Although Halo Infinite was originally planned as a launch game, it was delayed until after the console’s release because of production problems caused by the pandemic.
Microsoft will continue its Xbox All-Access payment plan for the Series X. This plan includes the console, online service, and game subscriptions in monthly payments. People with current All-Access plans for the Xbox One can upgrade to the Xbox Series X, and Spencer said similar upgrades will be available for the Series X in the future. The All-Access plan for the Series X is a 24-month plan costing $35 per month, while the Series S plan costs $25 per month.
When the Xbox Series X was first shown, its tall shape reminded many people of a small refrigerator. Before the console’s release, Microsoft made a few refrigerators that looked like the Xbox Series X, with features like a disk drive handle, green lights, and the Xbox startup sound. Some were given to celebrities, and others were part of contests. In March 2021, Dwayne Johnson worked with Microsoft to sell smaller mini-fridges modeled after the Xbox Series X to promote his energy drink brand. Microsoft’s Greenberg said this was a test to see if selling mini-fridges could be successful. After a Twitter campaign helped Microsoft win a marketing contest in April 2021, Greenberg said the company would sell the mini-fridges. During E3 2021, Microsoft announced that the mini-fridges would be sold by the end of 2021. Pre-orders started in October 2021, with plans to sell them in North America and Europe by December 2021.
In September 2023, Microsoft released a 1 TB Xbox Series S model in carbon black. It cost $349.
Reception
When the new consoles were first released, critics liked the hardware and noted improvements such as better graphics, faster loading times, and support for older games. However, some were unsure about the consoles' true power because there were no exclusive games that showed off the new hardware. Many people felt the consoles did not fully represent the next generation of home consoles. Some were disappointed because there were no major new games designed to highlight the hardware's capabilities, and the controller and user interface looked similar to older models. The Xbox Series X was generally seen as better than the Series S because the Series S had limited power and storage, making it harder to use. Richard Leadbetter of Eurogamer said, "I like the hardware and its advanced features, but a console is defined by its games, and I still don’t know the machine well enough." Keza MacDonald of The Guardian noted that while there was no strong reason to buy the consoles at launch, they worked well and did what they promised. Gamasutra’s Kris Graft and Chris Kerr said Microsoft created two appealing options that could turn players into long-term customers and reduced the idea of "generations" by making more games accessible.
In November 2021, Jordan Ramée of GameSpot said the Xbox Series X and S had more exclusive games after launch, like Forza Horizon 5 and The Artful Escape. He praised "Smart Delivery," a feature that automatically sends the best version of a game, unlike the PlayStation 5, where it was unclear which version of a game was being downloaded. He also said switching from older Xbox One consoles was easier than switching from PS4 to PS5, thanks to Smart Delivery, automatic save data syncing, and the same user interface.
Microsoft said the Xbox Series X/S was the biggest Xbox launch, selling more units in more countries in the first 24 hours than any previous Xbox. The record was previously held by the Xbox One, which sold over one million units at launch. The Xbox Series S attracted more new players than any previous Microsoft console. Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella, said in July 2021 that the Series X and S were the fastest-selling Xbox consoles ever. Microsoft has not shared exact sales numbers since 2014, but estimates are available.
Daniel Ahmed of Niko Partners estimated that worldwide sales of the Xbox Series X/S reached 3.5 million by December 31, 2020. Sales increased to 6.5 million by June 30, 2021, surpassing the Xbox One and Xbox 360. By September 30, 2021, sales reached 8 million, and by the end of 2021, 12 million units were sold. By the end of 2022, sales were estimated at 18.5 million. In June 2023, Microsoft said the Xbox Series X/S had sold over 21 million units, compared to the PlayStation 5’s 40 million. Microsoft admitted in June 2023 that the Xbox ranked third in sales behind PlayStation and Nintendo, with a 16% market share in 2021.
Certified sales data are available in some regions, like the UK, where 155,000 units sold on launch day, two-thirds of which were Xbox Series X. Sales reached 310,000 by the end of 2020, over one million by the end of 2021, and 1.8 million by the end of 2022. The Series X made up 43% of Xbox Series sales in the UK in 2021. In Japan, 20,534 units sold during the launch week, and sales reached 116,000 by November 2021, surpassing the Xbox One’s lifetime sales in under a year. By the end of 2022, 400,000 units were sold in Japan. In Spain, 14,100 units sold during the launch week, and sales reached 30,850 by the end of 2020 and 96,000 by 2022.
As of June 2024, the Xbox Series X and S sold 28.3 million units worldwide.
A global chip shortage from 2020 to 2023 limited Microsoft’s ability to produce enough consoles. Both models sold out quickly, leading to high prices on online marketplaces, with some consoles selling for up to $5,000. Microsoft started manufacturing the consoles in mid-2020 after waiting for key technology and reached full production by launch. Tim Stuart, Xbox’s CFO, said shortages would end by the second quarter of 2021. In May 2021, Microsoft allowed Xbox Insiders to join a priority list for purchases, but only a limited number of units were available. Despite shortages, console revenue increased because of higher prices.
Microsoft wants games to work the same way on both the Series X and S, even though the Series S has less power. In March 2023, Remedy Entertainment said games must be optimized for the Series S because they need to run on all hardware. Microsoft’s head, Phil Spencer, said some features, like split-screen co-op in Forza, are not available on the Series S, limiting first-party games. In January 2025, Spencer said support for the Series S is unlikely to end because targeting the Series S allows games to be ported to other systems like the Steam Deck or ROG Ally.
Larian Studios, the developers of Baldur’s Gate 3, did not officially announce an Xbox Series X/S version due to technical issues with split-screen co-op on the Series S. This led to rumors that the game was a PlayStation exclusive. Larian denied this and said the game might be reconsidered for other platforms.