Console comparison
Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X
Compared on price, graphics throughput, storage and the thing specifications never capture: what each one is actually for.
Verified September 26, 2026Prices from secondary reporting — confirm with a retailer
Microsoft
Xbox Series S
$499.99 · 1440p
Microsoft
Xbox Series X
$799.99 · 4K
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| Specification | Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| Maker | ||
| Maker | Microsoft | Microsoft |
| US MSRP | ||
| US MSRP | Winner: $499.99UK RRP £429.99 | $799.99UK RRP £669.99 |
| Price source | ||
| Price source | Reference source | Reference source |
| GPU throughput | ||
| GPU throughput | 4 TFLOPS | Winner: 12 TFLOPS |
| Storage | ||
| Storage | 512GB | Winner: 1024GB |
| SSD throughput | ||
| SSD throughput | 2.4 GB/s | 2.4 GB/s |
| Target resolution | ||
| Target resolution | 1440p | 4K |
| Portable | ||
| Portable | No | No |
| Disc drive | ||
| Disc drive | none | included |
| UK street price | ||
| UK street price | Search Amazon (opens in new tab) | Search Amazon (opens in new tab) |
US MSRP is the reported RRP for the standard configuration — not a live UK street price. Use the Amazon UK buttons to check current UK availability.
Xbox Series S
The cheapest current Xbox: digital-only, 512GB, and aimed at 1440p rather than competing on 4K fidelity.
Best for
- Budget Game Pass entry
- Digital-only households
- 1440p living-room play
Watch out
US 512GB MSRP $499.99 from 1 August 2026. UK post-hike: 512GB £429.99, 1TB £519.99 — the 512GB SKU sits just £10 above Switch 2’s £419.99 UK RRP (in effect since 1 September 2026). The 512GB drive fills quickly, and there is no disc drive — physical games need Series X or another platform.
Xbox Series X
More graphics throughput than the standard PS5, and the natural choice if a subscription library is the point.
Best for
- Subscription-led play
- Backwards compatibility
- Buyers who still want a disc drive
Watch out
US disc MSRP $799.99 from 1 August 2026. UK post-hike: disc £669.99, digital £619.99. Raw SSD throughput is well under half the PS5's. Microsoft sunset the 2TB Galaxy Black edition with that 1 August 2026 hike — leftover or refurbished stock only, not a current 1TB-disc substitute.
Common questions
Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X
Answered from the verified figures on this page rather than general guidance.