Xbox Series S vs Xbox Series X
These two are relatives, not rivals. The Xbox Series S and the Xbox Series X share a lineup, so the question is which version fits you. The Xbox Series S is up against it here: the Xbox Series X wins 2 of the 2 areas on our scorecard, with memory & storage as its standout. Money matters here as well, since the Xbox Series X started out $200 above the Xbox Series S.
At a glance
- Performance Xbox Series X wins
- Memory & Storage Xbox Series X wins
- Price Xbox Series S wins
- Performance2.9
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Performance8.2
- Memory & Storage7.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Xbox Series X has 204% more GPU compute
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 12.15 TFLOPS for the Xbox Series X versus 4 TFLOPS for the Xbox Series S. The Xbox Series X’s extra compute gives games more room for higher resolutions and richer effects.
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The Xbox Series X has 488 GB more built-in storage
The Xbox Series S lists 512 GB; the Xbox Series X comes in at 1,000 GB. That’s not a rounding error. Check the expansion options in the table; extra storage can often be added later, at a cost.
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The Xbox Series X has 6 GB more memory
At 16 GB versus 10 GB, this is a decisive lead for the Xbox Series X, the kind of difference you notice without looking for it. More system memory gives games room for bigger worlds, sharper textures and faster streaming of assets.
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The Xbox Series X has 160% more GPU compute units
If gpu compute units is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Xbox Series X leads clearly with 52 to the Xbox Series S’s 20. The Xbox Series X’s extra compute units give it more graphics hardware to work with.
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The Xbox Series S has a 5.56 lb lighter body
The numbers aren’t close. The Xbox Series S lists 4.25 lb for weight, while the Xbox Series X lists 9.81 lb. The Xbox Series S is easier to carry around, which is a real plus if you play away from your TV.
Design & Size
- Xbox Series S 10.83 in × 2.52 in × 5.94 in
- Xbox Series X 11.85 in × 5.94 in × 5.94 in
Want the smaller footprint? That’s the Xbox Series S. The Xbox Series X is the larger of the two. There’s 5.56 lb between them, and the Xbox Series S is on the lighter side.
Design & Size
| Spec | Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 10.83 in | 11.85 in |
| Height | 2.52 in | 5.94 in |
| Depth | 5.94 in | 5.94 in |
| Weight | 4.25 lb (winner) Lightest in class | 9.81 lb |
Performance
Xbox Series X leads
No contest in performance: the Xbox Series X is the stronger of the two. The Xbox Series X has the edge with 204% more GPU compute. Teraflops don’t capture everything (memory, upscaling and optimization matter too), but they’re a useful yardstick. The takeaway: on performance, the Xbox Series X is the stronger console.
GPU compute (FP32)
Xbox Series S: 4 TFLOPS Xbox Series X: 12.15 TFLOPS GPU compute is a headline figure for graphics power, and more of it usually means sharper images or smoother frame rates.
GPU compute units
Xbox Series S: 20 Xbox Series X: 52 Compute units aren’t directly comparable across different GPU architectures, so read this alongside the compute figure.
Memory & Storage
Xbox Series X leads
In this area the Xbox Series X has a lead the Xbox Series S can’t close. The Xbox Series X comes with 488 GB more built-in storage. Modern games are large, so more built-in storage means fewer installs to juggle. Bottom line for memory & storage: the Xbox Series X has the edge.
Built-in storage
Xbox Series S: 512 GB Xbox Series X: 1,000 GB With the Xbox Series X, you can keep more games ready to play without deleting old favorites.
System memory
Xbox Series S: 10 GB Xbox Series X: 16 GB Consoles share memory between CPU and GPU, so this figure covers both game logic and graphics.
Features & Media
The features & media comparison is about what’s inside rather than how much. See the table for the Xbox Series S’s and the Xbox Series X’s entries.
Full Specifications
Performance
| Spec | Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Custom AMD Zen 2, 8 cores | Custom AMD Zen 2, 8 cores |
| CPU max clock | 3.60 GHz | 3.80 GHz (winner) |
| GPU | Custom AMD RDNA 2, 1.565 GHz | Custom AMD RDNA 2, 1.825 GHz |
| GPU compute units | 20 Fewest GPU compute units | 52 (winner) Most GPU compute units |
| GPU compute (FP32)Manufacturer figure | 4 TFLOPS | 12.15 TFLOPS (winner) |
| Max output resolution | 1440p target; 4K upscaled output | 8K output; 4K at up to 120 fps |
| Max frame rate | 120 fps | 120 fps |
| Hardware ray tracing | Yes | Yes |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| System memory | 10 GB | 16 GB (winner) |
| Memory bandwidth | 224 GB/s | 560 GB/s (winner) |
| Built-in storage | 512 GB | 1,000 GB (winner) |
| Storage type | Custom NVMe SSD | Custom NVMe SSD |
| Storage expansion | Storage Expansion Card slot; USB 3.1 external drive | Storage Expansion Card slot; USB 3.1 external drive |
Features & Media
| Spec | Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| Disc drive | None | 4K UHD Blu-ray |
| Handheld play | No | No |
| Built-in screen | None | None |
| Backward compatibility | Xbox One and select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games | Xbox One and select Xbox 360 and original Xbox games |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
Design & Size
| Spec | Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| Width | 10.83 in | 11.85 in |
| Height | 2.52 in | 5.94 in |
| Depth | 5.94 in | 5.94 in |
| Weight | 4.25 lb (winner) Lightest in class | 9.81 lb |
Price
| Spec | Xbox Series S | Xbox Series X |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $299 (winner) Lowest price in class | $499 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
This is not a small price difference: $200, or 67%, separates the two launch prices. That $200 gap does buy something tangible: 204% more GPU compute and 488 GB more built-in storage.
Launch prices in the US as of November 2020; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Xbox Series S if…
- you want the lighter console (4.25 lb vs 9.81 lb)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($200 less)
- you value compactness over sheer size
Choose the Xbox Series X if…
- you want more GPU compute for sharper, smoother games (12.15 TFLOPS vs 4 TFLOPS)
- you want room for more games before juggling installs (1,000 GB vs 512 GB)
- you want more memory headroom for demanding games (16 GB vs 10 GB)
- you care about graphics hardware on paper (52 vs 20 compute units)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Xbox Series S or the Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series X wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you know that a 5.56 lb lighter body would make a real difference in your routine.
Is the Xbox Series S bigger than the Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series X is the larger of the two. It measures 11.85 × 5.94 × 5.94 in, compared with 10.83 × 2.52 × 5.94 in for the Xbox Series S.
Does the Xbox Series S perform better than the Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series X has the edge in performance thanks to 204% more GPU compute and 160% more GPU compute units.
Is the Xbox Series S cheaper than the Xbox Series X?
Going by launch prices, the Xbox Series S costs $200 less than the Xbox Series X. Prices as of November 2020; current offers may differ.
Which weighs less, the Xbox Series S or the Xbox Series X?
The Xbox Series S is lighter, by 5.56 lb.
Does the Xbox Series S have more storage than the Xbox Series X?
Going by the spec sheets, the Xbox Series X has the larger figure: 1,000 GB, against 512 GB.
Executive Summary
Let’s talk about the Xbox Series S and the Xbox Series X. Same family, but I don’t think they’re made for exactly the same person. Here’s what matters most to me: the Xbox Series X offers 204% more GPU compute. There’s more, too: the Xbox Series X offers 488 GB more built-in storage. The Xbox Series S’s strongest argument is a 5.56 lb lighter body.
I think of the Xbox Series S as the one for portability and the Xbox Series X as the one for performance.
My pick: the Xbox Series X gets my vote, but the Xbox Series S is the right call if what you want most is a 5.56 lb lighter body.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.