Xbox Series S specs, price and release date

For a long time, there was speculation online about the successor to the Xbox One S game console. Because even though Microsoft announced the One X to replace for the Xbox Series X it remained unknown whether the One S could also count on a successor. “Yes” is now Microsoft’s heartfelt answer. The American manufacturer has released video images of the new game console, the price has also been officially confirmed and a date has been set for the launch event.

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The Xbox Series S will be cheaper and no less than 60% more compact than the Series X. The game console is not only smaller, but also has a significantly thinner design. In addition, Microsoft has opted for a different color scheme: white with a large black round grid – intended for cooling. A cooling grid is also fitted at the top.

In addition to the new game console, a white Xbox Wireless Controller has also been shown. This new controller with circular D-pad was already shown in black at the end of last year, in combination with the Xbox Series X.

Another difference, the Series S only appears as an All Digital Edition, so this console does not have a physical disc tray. You must purchase games digitally. For example, you can purchase an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, this subscription (at € 13 per month) offers access to more than 100 digital games.

Remarkably low price for the Microsoft Xbox Series S game console

Many specs are still unknown, nevertheless Microsoft has already confirmed the price and launch date. The Xbox Series S will be marketed for a suggested retail price of $ 299. This will most likely result in a European price of € 300. A great achievement by Microsoft, finally, this means that the new game console will be marketed for exactly the same amount as the One S seven years ago.

The Series S launch event will take place on November 10, 2020, with the Series X expected to be released simultaneously. A pre-order period will probably be set prior to the official sale. It is possible that a present will be included during the preorder weeks, for example in the form of a free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription for an x ​​number of months.

Xbox All Digital Console without rigid tray

The above trailer video that Microsoft has released shows that you can game with the Xbox Series S in 1440p resolution with a maximum frame rate of 120fps. In addition, games can be scaled up to high-quality 4K resolution images. Furthermore, the Series S will have a Custom NVMe SSD with 512GB memory. This is an important plus, because thanks to the integration of an SSD, much shorter loading times can be achieved. Hardware ray tracing will also be supported.

Microsoft has not yet released any information about the chipset, nevertheless a lot is already known. Presumably the same processor will be used as for the more advanced Series X. The computing power will be significantly less with 4 Teraflops, for comparison the Series X will have 12.5 Tflops. Because it is a digital console, you cannot watch Blu-ray movies on the Series S.

New game consoles in 2020

Competitor Sony has already announced that the PlayStation 5 a digital version will also be released, the PS5 Digital Edition. However, it will have identical specifications to the model with disc tray. Thus, the Xbox Series X will most likely become the cheapest game console of all 2020 models. However, this cannot be said with 100% certainty, because Sony has not yet confirmed prices.

Presumably, the PS5 Digital Edition will have a suggested retail price of $ 400. The retail price of the Xbox Series X and PS5 will be higher, probably around $ 500. All four game consoles are most likely available in the Netherlands from the end of November.

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