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Xbox Series S vs. Xbox One: A Comprehensive Comparison

The simple answer is a resounding YES, the Xbox Series S is definitively better than the Xbox One. It’s not even a close contest. The Series S represents a significant leap forward in technology, performance, and overall gaming experience. While both consoles allow you to access the Xbox ecosystem, the Series S offers vastly improved speed, resolution, and next-generation features that the older Xbox One simply cannot match.

Decoding the Upgrade: Why the Series S Wins

The generational jump from Xbox One to Xbox Series S is substantial. Think of it like upgrading from a family sedan to a sleek sports car – both get you from point A to point B, but the journey is drastically different. Let’s delve into the core aspects where the Series S surpasses its predecessor.

Raw Power & Performance: The Xbox Series S boasts a custom-designed AMD Zen 2 CPU and AMD RDNA 2 GPU. This combination translates to dramatically faster processing speeds, allowing for smoother frame rates, reduced loading times, and more complex in-game environments. The Series S outperforms the Xbox One in virtually every technical benchmark. While the Xbox One X offered more graphical horsepower than the original Xbox One, the Series S still eclipses it in terms of CPU performance and overall system architecture.
Storage Revolution: NVMe SSD: One of the most impactful upgrades is the shift from a traditional platter-based hard drive (HDD) in the Xbox One to a lightning-fast NVMe SSD in the Series S. This means games load in a fraction of the time, and features like Quick Resume (instantly switching between multiple games) become a reality. The difference in loading times alone is a game-changer.
Resolution and Visual Fidelity: While the Xbox Series S targets 1440p resolution at up to 120fps, compared to the Xbox Series X which targets 4K, it’s still a major upgrade over the 1080p capabilities of the Xbox One. The Series S also supports technologies like Variable Rate Shading (VRS) and DirectX Raytracing (DXR), enhancing visual detail and realism in supported games. Even when upscaling games to 4K on a 4K TV, the Series S provides a sharper and more vibrant image than the Xbox One.
Next-Gen Features & Ecosystem: The Xbox Series S is fully integrated into the Xbox ecosystem, offering access to Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and all the latest Xbox features. The Series S also supports features like DirectStorage which can further improve load times in future games. The Xbox One, while still functional, is increasingly becoming relegated to older titles as new games are designed to leverage the capabilities of the newer consoles.
Backward Compatibility: A significant benefit of the Xbox Series S is its backward compatibility with a vast library of Xbox One games, as well as select Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles. This means you can bring your existing game library with you when you upgrade. Keep in mind that the Series S is a digital-only console, so you will only be able to play games that are available digitally.
Price Point: The Xbox Series S is significantly more affordable than the Xbox Series X. This makes it an attractive entry point into next-generation gaming, offering a substantial performance upgrade over the Xbox One without breaking the bank. The price-to-performance ratio of the Series S is excellent.

The Caveats: Where the Xbox One Still Has a Niche

Despite its overall superiority, there are a few areas where the Xbox One still holds a slight advantage, though these are increasingly irrelevant.

Physical Media: The Xbox One supports physical game discs, allowing you to buy, sell, and trade games. The Series S is a digital-only console, meaning you are limited to purchasing games through the Xbox Store. If you have a large physical game library, this might be a sticking point.
Used Games Market: Connected to the physical media point, the Xbox One allows you to participate in the used games market. This can be a cost-effective way to acquire games. With the Series S, you are limited to digital purchases, which often lack the price flexibility of the used market.
4K Blu-ray Playback: The Xbox One X (but not the original Xbox One or Xbox One S) offers 4K Blu-ray playback. The Xbox Series S does not have a disc drive at all, so there is no option to use it for watching physical Blu-ray media.

Ultimately, these minor advantages of the Xbox One are outweighed by the significant performance and feature improvements of the Xbox Series S. The trend toward digital game distribution makes the Series S a future-proof choice.

The Verdict: The Xbox Series S is the Clear Winner

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming experience, the Xbox Series S is the clear choice over the Xbox One. It offers a substantial performance boost, access to next-generation features, and a smoother, more responsive gaming experience. While the Xbox One might have some niche advantages related to physical media, the Series S represents a significant leap forward in gaming technology.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Xbox Series S really worth it in 2024?

Yes, absolutely! The Xbox Series S is a fantastic entry point into next-generation gaming, especially considering its affordable price. It provides a significant performance boost over the Xbox One and offers access to the latest games and services. For casual gamers or those on a budget, it’s a great option.

2. Can Xbox Series S play every game?

The Xbox Series S plays almost all Xbox One games through backward compatibility, including enhanced versions of some titles. It also plays all next-generation Xbox Series X|S games. The only exceptions are games that require Kinect, as the Series S does not support the Kinect sensor.

3. What are the main disadvantages of the Xbox Series S?

The primary disadvantages are its lower resolution target (1440p instead of 4K) compared to the Series X, less internal storage, and its digital-only nature (no disc drive).

4. How many games can I fit on the Xbox Series S’s internal storage?

The Xbox Series S comes with a 512GB SSD, but after system files, you’re left with around 364GB of usable storage. This typically allows for around 5-10 games, depending on their size. Larger games like Call of Duty can take up a significant portion of the storage.

5. Do I need to buy my games again if I upgrade from Xbox One to Series S?

No, as long as you use the same Microsoft account, your digitally purchased Xbox One games will be available for download on your Xbox Series S. This is thanks to Xbox’s backward compatibility program.

6. Can I use my Xbox One controller on the Xbox Series S?

Yes, most Xbox One controllers are compatible with the Xbox Series S. However, some older controllers may require a firmware update. The new Xbox Series X|S controllers also work on the Xbox One.

7. Is the Xbox Series S just as powerful as the Xbox Series X?

No. The Xbox Series X is significantly more powerful than the Xbox Series S. The Series X has a more powerful GPU, more RAM, and more storage, allowing it to achieve higher resolutions (4K) and frame rates.

8. Does the Xbox Series S support 4K?

While the Xbox Series S targets 1440p resolution, it can output to a 4K display. Some games are upscaled to 4K, and the console supports 4K video streaming. However, it does not natively render games in 4K like the Xbox Series X.

9. What is Quick Resume on the Xbox Series S?

Quick Resume is a feature that allows you to instantly switch between multiple games without losing your progress. This is made possible by the console’s fast SSD storage and efficient memory management.

10. Can I play Xbox 360 games on the Xbox Series S?

Yes, the Xbox Series S is backward compatible with select Xbox 360 games that were part of the original backward compatibility program on the Xbox One. You can find a list of compatible games on the Xbox website.

11. What is the difference between Xbox One S and Xbox Series S?

The Xbox Series S is far more powerful. It has a faster processor, more RAM, and a significantly faster SSD. The Xbox One S is limited to 1080p gaming, while the Series S targets 1440p.

12. Can I upgrade the storage on the Xbox Series S?

Yes, you can upgrade the storage. You can use the official Xbox Storage Expansion Card or an external USB hard drive. However, only games specifically optimized for Series S/X need to be installed on the internal storage or the Storage Expansion Card to benefit from the faster speeds.

13. Is Xbox Series S next gen?

Yes, the Xbox Series S is definitively a next-generation console.

14. What happens to my Xbox Game Pass subscription if I upgrade to the Xbox Series S?

Your Xbox Game Pass subscription will transfer seamlessly to your Xbox Series S as long as you use the same Microsoft account. You’ll have access to the same library of games on both consoles.

15. Where can I learn more about the impact of games and game design?

You can explore the fascinating world of game design, game-based learning, and the social impact of games by visiting the Games Learning Society website at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. You can also visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about educational gaming. The Games Learning Society is a great resource to learn more about the intersection of education and gaming.

Is Xbox Series S as good as Xbox One?