Table of Contents

What Can the Xbox One S Do? A Comprehensive Guide

The Xbox One S is a versatile console that offers a wide array of entertainment options beyond just gaming. It stands as a significant upgrade over the original Xbox One, packing more features into a smaller, more stylish design. At its core, the Xbox One S is a powerful multimedia hub capable of delivering high-quality gaming, streaming content, and much more. It’s not the newest generation, but it’s still a compelling option for many users. Let’s delve into the specifics of what it can do.

Gaming Capabilities

The primary function of the Xbox One S, as a gaming console, is to play video games. It’s compatible with the entire library of Xbox One games, and this includes many backward-compatible titles from the original Xbox and Xbox 360 eras. This means you have access to an enormous catalog of games across many genres. Here’s what makes it special for gamers:

Upscaled 4K Gaming: While it doesn’t natively render games in 4K like the Xbox One X or Series X, the Xbox One S upscales many games from 1080p to 4K resolution. This provides a sharper, more detailed image on a 4K television, giving you a better visual experience compared to standard HD.
HDR Support: One of the standout features is its support for High Dynamic Range (HDR). HDR significantly expands the range of colors and contrast displayed, resulting in more vibrant and realistic visuals in games that support it. This enhanced visual fidelity can make a noticeable difference, especially on HDR-enabled TVs.
Game Pass Access: The Xbox One S seamlessly integrates with Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s subscription service. This service offers a vast library of games, often including day-one releases, for a monthly fee, effectively providing gamers with a rotating library of hundreds of games, meaning that you have something new to play constantly.

Multimedia and Streaming

Beyond gaming, the Xbox One S serves as a potent multimedia hub with a variety of entertainment options:

4K Streaming: You can enjoy 4K Ultra HD content from a variety of streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Microsoft Movies & TV, provided you have the necessary subscription to such services. This is a great feature for people who wish to enjoy premium 4K content on their 4K screens.
4K Blu-ray Playback: Unlike the digital edition of Xbox One S, the standard Xbox One S also features a built-in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player. This allows you to watch physical movies in stunning 4K resolution, something that digital streaming can’t always fully replicate. If you value physical media, this makes it a great choice.
Endless Entertainment Apps: The console provides access to a range of entertainment apps beyond streaming video, such as Spotify for music and other media apps available on the Xbox Store. This versatility makes it a great choice to have as the entertainment center in any room.
Wi-Fi and Network Connectivity: The Xbox One S has built in Wi-Fi making it easy to connect to your home network and access content through the internet. This is important for multiplayer gaming, streaming, and downloading content from the Xbox marketplace.

Additional Features and Benefits

The Xbox One S offers additional features that make it a strong contender for home entertainment systems:

Improved Design: Compared to the original Xbox One, the Xbox One S boasts a smaller, sleeker form factor. Its design is more aesthetically pleasing, making it a welcome addition to any living space.
Backward Compatibility: As noted earlier, the console supports a substantial number of backward-compatible titles from previous Xbox generations, which greatly expands its library of playable games.
Xbox Live: The console is fully integrated with Xbox Live, offering online multiplayer gaming, party chats with friends, and access to a large community of gamers.
Controller Compatibility: The Xbox One S also uses the same controller that is compatible with all subsequent Xbox Series consoles, meaning you can enjoy your Xbox experience the same regardless of console.
Affordability: For those not wanting to invest in the premium options of the newest generation, the Xbox One S still provides an excellent gaming experience at a more budget-friendly price point. This makes it an attractive option for casual gamers and families.

Conclusion

The Xbox One S is more than just a gaming console; it’s a complete home entertainment package. With support for 4K upscaling, HDR, 4K Blu-ray playback, and a wide array of entertainment apps, it offers excellent value. While it may not have the raw power of the newer Xbox Series X or S, the Xbox One S is still a solid choice for those seeking a capable and affordable console that can handle both gaming and streaming content.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Xbox One S to further clarify its features and capabilities:

1. Does the Xbox One S support native 4K gaming?

No, the Xbox One S does not support native 4K gaming. It upscales games to 4K resolution from a lower resolution like 1080p. While this provides a noticeable improvement in visual clarity compared to regular HD, it’s not the same as the native 4K rendering offered by the Xbox One X or Xbox Series X.

2. Can I play my original Xbox and Xbox 360 games on the Xbox One S?

Yes, many original Xbox and Xbox 360 games are backward compatible with the Xbox One S. You can play them digitally or via disc for many of the compatible titles. Microsoft is constantly adding more games to the backward compatibility list.

3. What is the storage capacity of the Xbox One S?

The Xbox One S typically comes with either a 500GB or 1TB hard drive, depending on the model you purchase. You can also expand the storage with an external hard drive if needed.

4. Is the Xbox One S good for streaming 4K content?

Yes, the Xbox One S supports streaming 4K content from various apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. You’ll need a 4K TV and a subscription to any of the supported services in order to enjoy 4K content.

5. Does the Xbox One S have a disc drive?

Yes, most models of the Xbox One S have a built-in Blu-ray disc drive, which also supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. This allows you to watch physical media at the highest quality available, unlike the digital edition of the console.

6. What is HDR and how does it enhance my gaming experience?

HDR (High Dynamic Range) improves color and contrast, making games look more vibrant and realistic. It allows for a wider range of colors and deeper blacks, enhancing the visual fidelity of compatible games.

7. Can the Xbox One S run games at 120Hz?

No, the Xbox One S does not support 120Hz refresh rate. This feature is primarily found on newer generation consoles like the Xbox Series X|S when paired with a display that can support such.

8. Do all Xbox One games support HDR?

No, not all Xbox One games support HDR. The game needs to be specifically designed or updated to support HDR for you to enjoy the enhanced visuals.

9. Can I play the same games on Xbox One S as on the newer Xbox Series S|X consoles?

Yes, you can play most of the same games on the Xbox One S as on the Xbox Series S and Series X. There are some specific games that will only run on the newer consoles.

10. Is the Xbox One S still worth buying in 2024?

The Xbox One S can still be a good option for casual gamers or as a secondary console, especially given its budget-friendly price point. However, for serious gamers looking for the best performance, the Xbox Series S or X might be more suitable.

11. How does the Xbox One S compare to the Xbox Series S?

The Xbox Series S is significantly more powerful than the Xbox One S, offering native 1440p gaming, faster load times, and better overall performance. The Series S is also an all-digital console so you cannot insert physical media to use.

12. Can I connect to the internet via Wi-Fi on the Xbox One S?

Yes, the Xbox One S has built-in Wi-Fi, making it easy to connect to your home network. You can also use a wired Ethernet connection if preferred.

13. Does the Xbox One S require an internet connection to play games?

While many games can be played offline, an internet connection is required for online multiplayer, accessing digital games, and using services like Xbox Game Pass.

14. How do I enable 4K on the Xbox One S?

To enable 4K on the Xbox One S, go to Settings > General > TV & display options > 4K TV details and make sure your settings are correct for the specific display that you are using. You will need to have your console connected to a 4k TV to have the 4k option.

15. How many games can I store on the Xbox One S?

The number of games you can store depends on the storage size of your console (500GB or 1TB) and the size of the games themselves. On average, you can store anywhere from 10 to 30 games, more if you use an external hard drive.

What can the Xbox One S do?