With the ninth generation of gaming, Sony and Microsoft have taken different approaches. Sony released two versions of the PS5, with one containing a disc drive and the other being a cheaper, digital-only console. Microsoft also released two versions of the current-gen Xbox. One, the Xbox Series X, features a disc drive and can play the newest release at the best quality possible. The second offering from Microsoft, the Xbox Series S, lacks a disc drive and plays games at slightly reduced settings.
The Xbox Series S is an appealing device thanks to its lower price and small size, but there are some factors worth considering. Depending on what one is looking for in a new console, the Xbox Series S could be a budget-friendly entryway into current-gen gaming, or it could be a bad investment. Before one spends money on the Xbox Series S, it is worth considering the pros and cons that come with it.
The Pros of the Xbox Series S
Although the Xbox Series S lacks the Xbox Series X's 4K UHD Blu-ray drive, the console still has a lot going for it. It is capable of 120FPS gameplay with games that support it and it has the same interface, media apps, and gaming library as its big brother. It comes with a 512GB SSD, although if this is not enough, the console's storage can be expanded with an external SSD. For gamers who want to ensure they have access to the latest Xbox games, the Xbox Series S may be an affordable introduction to current-gen gaming.
The most appealing part of the Xbox Series S is its price. Current-gen systems are expensive, and gamers can expect to pay $499 for the flagship consoles from both Sony and Microsoft. The Xbox Series S costs $299, making it cheaper than even the PS5 Digital Edition which costs $399. For gamers on a budget, the Xbox Series S may be a wise choice. At its low price, the Xbox Series S can also serve as a good secondary console to use in the bedroom or to give to younger kids.
Xbox also has a secret weapon that Sony does not yet have an answer for – Game Pass. For a relatively cheap monthly subscription, gamers can enjoy the latest games as well as some of the best games of the last few generations. Game Pass coupled with the Xbox Series S is arguably the cheapest way to get into current-gen gaming. Thanks to Xbox’s robust backward compatibility, gamers can also enjoy Xbox’s catalog from previous consoles, including the Xbox One and the original Xbox.
Although the other current-gen systems are more powerful, they may have a level of power that many gamers do not need yet or cannot take advantage of. According to Statistica, by March 2021, only 44% of US homes had a 4K television. Hence, for the many gamers still making do with 1080p televisions or 1440p monitors, the Xbox Series S may be the smarter choice. Games still look and play beautifully, and no essential aspects of games are compromised by playing at a slightly lower resolution.
Lastly, the Xbox Series S is a gorgeous and conveniently compact console. Its small size and low weight allow it to slide into one’s backpack, which is a huge plus for anyone planning on traveling with their console. This fact is highlighted further when one compares the Xbox Series S to the gargantuan PS5 and Xbox Series X. Although the latter two consoles may be more powerful, it is a tedious task to attempt to board a plane with them. Anyone with limited space around their television or gaming monitor will also benefit greatly from the console’s small size.
The Cons of the Xbox Series S
The main issue with the Xbox Series S is its ability to endure in the long term. As previously stated, many households have yet to adopt 4K televisions. However, this will not be the case forever, and as time goes on, 4K televisions will become more mainstream. Purchasing an Xbox Series S may be a good choice now, but it is worth considering how future-proof the console is. For those who do intend to upgrade their monitors or televisions during the current gaming generation, it may be worthwhile to consider the more powerful consoles that are capable of 4K gaming.
For gamers looking for a truly current-gen experience that makes one believe that there has been a significant leap between last-gen and current-gen consoles, the Xbox Series S may not satisfy. In the previous generation, 1080p gaming was the norm, and having to use the same resolution for yet another generation may not be appealing to some.
Some developers have begun casting doubt on how future-proof the Xbox Series S is. In an interview, Oleksandr Shyshkovtsov, who is the chief technical officer of 4A Games, has stated that the console's RAM is not currently an issue but "GPU performance presents challenges for future titles." Similarly, Thomas Puha, who is Remedy Entertainment's Communications Director, stated that while the studio does appreciate the fact that there is a console with a lower barrier of entry, "the more hardware you have, the more you kind of have to ultimately compromise a little bit when you are like a smaller studio like us where we just can't spend so much time making sure that all these platforms are super good."
Without a doubt, the Xbox Series S is a fantastic console that has found its niche among gamers on a budget who still wish to enjoy the latest games. During 2021’s holiday season, the Xbox Series S was one of the bestselling consoles, proving that there are plenty of gamers who are ready to jump into current-gen gaming but may not require the power of the other consoles. However, for gamers who do care about 4K gaming and want a console that will last them for the entire ninth generation, the Xbox Series S may end up being a regrettable purchase.
The Xbox Series S is available now.
