Xbox Consoles — Every Current Model Compared

Which Xbox Console Should You Buy?

There are currently five Xbox console models you can buy — two versions of the Series S and three versions of the Series X. They all play the same games, but they differ in storage, whether they have a disc drive, and price.

Here’s what you need to know about each one.

Xbox Series X — The Flagship

The Series X is Microsoft’s most powerful console. It targets 4K gaming at 60fps (up to 120fps in supported titles), has hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and includes a 4K UHD Blu-Ray drive (on most models).

Key specs shared across all Series X models:

• CPU: 8-core AMD Zen 2, 3.8 GHz
• GPU: 12 TFLOPS, RDNA 2
• RAM: 16 GB GDDR6
• Resolution: Up to 4K at 120fps
• Ray tracing: Yes, hardware-accelerated
• Quick Resume: Yes
• Backwards compatible: Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox games

Xbox Series X — 1TB (Carbon Black)

The original Series X. Black tower design with a 4K Blu-Ray disc drive and 1TB custom SSD. This is the standard flagship model that’s been available since November 2020.

Xbox Series X — Digital Edition (Robot White)

Released October 2024, this is the same Series X hardware but without the disc drive — and in a white colourway. Slightly cheaper than the disc model, ideal if you buy all your games digitally.

Xbox Series X — 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition

The storage king. Double the SSD capacity of the standard model, wrapped in a special Galaxy Black finish. Includes a matching controller. Great for players with large Game Pass libraries or lots of backwards-compatible titles.

Xbox Series S — The Budget Option

The Series S is smaller, cheaper, and targets 1440p gaming at 60fps (with 4K upscaling). It’s digital-only — no disc drive. Same game library, same online features, same Game Pass access. The trade-off is lower graphical fidelity and less storage.

Key specs shared across Series S models:

• CPU: 8-core AMD Zen 2, 3.6 GHz
• GPU: 4 TFLOPS, RDNA 2
• RAM: 10 GB GDDR6
• Resolution: Up to 1440p at 120fps (4K upscaling)
• Ray tracing: Yes
• Quick Resume: Yes
• Disc drive: None (all-digital)

Xbox Series S — 512GB (Robot White)

The original Series S. The most affordable way into current-gen Xbox gaming. The 512GB storage fills up quickly with modern games though — you’ll likely want an expansion card or external drive eventually.

Xbox Series S — 1TB (Carbon Black)

Released October 2024. Same Series S hardware but double the storage and a black finish. Worth the extra cost if you plan to keep more than a handful of games installed.

Quick Comparison

All models support Quick Resume, backwards compatibility, Game Pass, and the same online features.

What About Project Helix? (Next-Gen Xbox)

Microsoft has confirmed that its next-generation console — codenamed Project Helix — is in active development. It’s being built with AMD using a custom SoC with next-gen ray tracing and AI capabilities. Developer hardware is expected to ship in 2027, but no consumer release date has been confirmed yet.

Project Helix is expected to play both Xbox console games and PC games, potentially blurring the line between console and PC entirely.

Our advice: If you want to play Xbox games now, any of the consoles above are a great buy. Game Pass libraries and purchases carry forward, so nothing you buy today will be wasted.

Need More Storage?

Every Xbox above uses the same expansion card slot. Check our Storage Upgrades page for the best expansion cards and external drives.