Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X: will it be worth the upgrade?
The Xbox Series X has now replaced the Xbox One X as the most powerful console on the market. It’s capable of higher framerates, exceptionally fast load times and far greater visual fidelity than the aging Xbox One X, thanks to its impressive technical specifications and unique, tower-like design. It also benefits from some unique quality of life features like Quick Resume, which lets you suspend multiple games at a time so you can pick up exactly where you left off.
But should you rush out to pick up Microsoft’s brand new next-gen system (if you can find one in stock, at least) or stick with the older Xbox One X? We’re putting the two Xbox machines head-to-head to help you decide.
Choosing between the two isn’t as straightforward as it seems, not least because the names of both matte black consoles are so similar, but they also cater to different needs. There’s more to consider than mere power alone, then, as price can often be the deciding factor of any purchasing decision.
The Xbox One X – Microsoft’s mid-gen refresh of the Xbox One and Microsoft’s answer to Sony’s PS4 Pro – is still an impressive console when it comes to sheer computing chops. It’s for console players who want a tangible upgrade over the base systems in terms of specs, as the console supports native 4K resolution and HDR. However, it’s since been discontinued, making stock harder to find.
Now that the Xbox Series X is here, the Xbox One X’s original appeal of being the most powerful console on the market is no more. Microsoft’s new diminutive tower of power is significantly more powerful than its predecessor and eclipses the older Xbox in practically every department. That being said, if you currently own an Xbox One X, or are looking for a 4K-capable console on the cheap, you shouldn’t dismiss it just yet.
Fortunately for the Xbox One X, time might actually prove advantageous. It’s price, for one thing, is noticeably cheaper than the Xbox Series X, and it’s still able to play all the latest Xbox One games, albeit without some enticing graphical bells and whistles. You’re also limited to digital only purchases, as the Xbox Series S doesn’t have a disc drive.
If you’ve been on the fence over an upgrade, new purchase or simply want to know the difference between the two, our Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X guide is the place to be.
If you’re interested in the disc-less and significantly cheaper alternative to the Xbox Series X, check out our Xbox Series S review for everything you need to know.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X price
The Xbox Series X costs $499 / £449 / AU$749, and matches the original MSRP of the Xbox One X. While it’s a hefty chunk of change to depart with, the Xbox Series X packs a lot of technology into its cuboid frame.
The problem is the console is notoriously hard to find, with stock continuing to snapped up as soon as it appears, which can make it hard to find where to buy Xbox Series X.
The Xbox One X, meanwhile, has been subject to some generous price cuts in the past few months. We’ve seen the console drop well below it’s original asking price, but as Microsoft has since discontinued the Xbox One X, stock is becoming harder to find. If you do see an enticing deal, then, it’s worth snapping it up straight away.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X specs
When it comes to specs, this is where the Xbox Series X really differentiates itself. The console is packed with some seriously impressive hardware, many of which allow for technological advancements that you simply won’t find on Xbox One X, such as graphically intensive ray tracing support and frame rates up to 120fps. Check out the Xbox Series X specs below:
- 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
The console’s GPU also dwarfs that of the Xbox One X when it comes to computational power. It boasts a 12 teraflop GPU instead of the Xbox One X’s 6 teraflop GPU, making it essentially twice as powerful as Microsoft’s older machine.
The Xbox Series X also comes with a super-fast 1TB NVMe SSD, which has a transformative effect on games. It’s storage system can boost load times by up to 40 times higher than a regular mechanical hard drive, and the new storage format allows for features such as Quick Resume, where you can suspend and switch between multiple games at a time.
The SSD is used in conjunction with Microsoft’s new Xbox Velocity Architecture which, while in its early stages, promises to leave load times in the past and help overcome previous developer bottlenecks such as slow I/O performance and texture streaming.
The Xbox Series X CPU is also a gargantuan upgrade over that found inside the Xbox One X. It’s capable of pushing out 120fps frames per second at 4K resolution (providing you have a HDMI 2.1 compliant display), and many games that were previously capped to 30fps can now reach 60fps with ease for a more silky-smooth and responsive experience.
The Xbox One X, while certainly showing its age, is no slouch, though. Check out the Xbox One X specs below:
- 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
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, though this may change in the future. Like the Xbox Series X, the Xbox One X also comes equipped with a 4K HD Blu-Ray drive, making it a great choice for home cinema enthusiasts who are looking to upgrade their set up for less.
What really holds it back, though, is it’s CPU, which is a huge bottleneck for the developers. The standard mechanical drive means load times in some titles can also be painful to sit through, but this can be circumvented somewhat with an external SSD. The Xbox One X is a great choice if you don’t mind that games will often run at 30fps, then, and we’re still huge fans of the console’s sleek design, quiet operation and media capabilities.
Xbox Series X vs Xbox One X games
With the Xbox Series X now available, there are some exciting titles on the way and at launch. Between first-party titles like Halo Infinite, Hellblade 2 and third-party blockbusters like Cyberpunk 2077 there are a growing number of Xbox Series X games to look forward to now and in the future, though the Xbox Series X launch lineup isn’t as fleshed out as we’d like.
Some of the games that are out now or coming to Xbox Series X/S in the near future include:
However, it’s worth noting that not all of these titles will be available at launch – and some may not be out for some time. You can see the full Xbox Series X launch lineup here or check out our Xbox Series X games list for the full list of confirmed Series X titles.
The Series X’s impressive specs in combination with the excellent value of Xbox Game Pass gives early adopters a ready-made library that benefits from faster load times, better graphics, and higher resolution.
Backwards compatibility is also excellent on the Xbox Series X. You can play hundreds of games from previous Xbox generations on your new system, including original Xbox titles, but Microsoft has gone a step further with Smart Delivery. Consider this ‘forwards compatibility’ in the sense that when you buy a compatible game, it’s unlocked on all supporting hardware. For example, Cyberpunk 2077 supports Smart Delivery, so owners of the game on Xbox One X will benefit from a free upgrade to Xbox Series X.
Microsoft has recently encouraged developers to make these upgrades free through Smart Delivery in light of some publishers opting to charge more for cross-gen bundles.
Smart Delivery also means if buying an Xbox One X has cleaned you out, you can buy the likes of Halo Infinite – which launches on Xbox Game Pass day one – and play it on your current-gen console, safe in the knowledge that you won’t have to buy it again for Series X once you’ve cobbled together the cash for an upgrade. Your save data will even be carried back and forth too.
This does, of course, mean that the Xbox Series X isn’t really dangling any exclusives in front of you to force you into an upgrade, which is an accessible approach but perhaps frustrating for those who like to feel like they’re really getting that fresh next-gen experience.
While the Series X will offer the best version of a game, the Xbox One X will still be able to play the same game, albeit at a lower quality. Xbox is being very dogged about its inclusive approach for the next generation, promising it won’t have any Xbox Series X exclusives for the first few years, and that Xbox One players won’t be left behind in the leap to next-gen. A bonus, then, if you’re sticking with Microsoft’s older machine.
With all that in mind, there isn’t really an exclusive game that will make you rush out to upgrade to the Xbox Series X. Making the jump will be more about wanting to see those games at their absolute best running on a faster console, or if you want the very best possible Xbox experience available.
Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X verdict
The Xbox Series X is enticing prospect, especially for those who are already invested in the Xbox ecosystem. Its graphical grunt combined with the excellent Xbox Game Pass subscription service means Xbox fans should be seriously excited, and it’s impressive technical specs means there’s plenty of hope for the future.
For early adopters, the Series X’s lack of exclusive games is at least offset by an instant collection of great games thanks to Game Pass and backwards compatibility. Numerous games are receiving Xbox Series X optimizations, too, making them look and play better than ever before. And with Smart Delivery, those looking to upgrade from their Xbox One X can buy supported games now and upgrade for free to the Series X version once they can afford the new unit.
Since the cost of the Xbox One X is likely to contain to fall, particularly now the Series X has hit the shelves, there are few reasons to buy it at full price right now. Even then, the better value prospect is the cheaper, but less powerful, Xbox Series S, though you will have to make do with a 1440p resolution output.
All things considered, it’s not really a battle between the Xbox One X vs Xbox Series X: instead, Microsoft seems to be ensuring a harmonious, flexible transition between consoles for those that want the best of the best from an Xbox.
