Xbox Series S Review: Budget Next-Gen Gaming

Compact Design, Big Performance

The Xbox Series S represents Microsoft's vision of accessible next-generation gaming. At $299, it's significantly cheaper than its bigger sibling, the Series X, while still delivering genuine next-gen gaming experiences. The compact design makes it perfect for smaller entertainment centers or bedrooms.

Despite its smaller size, the Series S packs impressive hardware. The custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU delivers 4 teraflops of performance, which is more than enough for excellent 1440p gaming. The same custom SSD technology from the Series X ensures lightning-fast loading times.

1440p Gaming Sweet Spot

The Series S targets 1440p resolution, which is the perfect sweet spot for many gamers. Games look crisp and detailed, while the hardware can maintain smooth frame rates. Many titles support 120fps gaming, providing incredibly responsive gameplay on compatible displays.

While it can't match the Series X's 4K capabilities, the 1440p target allows developers to implement features like ray tracing and high frame rates that might not be possible at higher resolutions.

All-Digital Convenience

The Series S is an all-digital console, meaning there's no disc drive. This keeps costs down and makes the console more compact, but it means you're entirely dependent on digital purchases and downloads. For Game Pass subscribers, this isn't a significant limitation.

The 512GB of storage fills up quickly with modern games, so you'll likely need to invest in additional storage or manage your game library carefully. The expandable storage options are the same as the Series X, including support for the official expansion cards.

Game Pass Value Proposition

The Series S truly shines when paired with Xbox Game Pass. The subscription service provides access to hundreds of games, including day-one access to all Microsoft first-party titles. This makes the Series S an incredible value proposition for gamers who want access to a large library without buying individual games.

Quick Resume works just as well on the Series S as it does on the Series X, allowing you to suspend multiple games and jump between them instantly. This feature is particularly valuable for Game Pass subscribers who tend to sample many different games.

Performance in Practice

In real-world gaming, the Series S performs admirably. Most games run at 1440p with high settings, and many achieve 60fps or higher. Some of the most demanding games might drop to 1080p or reduce certain settings, but the overall experience remains excellent.

The console runs quietly and stays cool, even during extended gaming sessions. The compact design doesn't compromise on thermal performance, thanks to intelligent engineering and airflow design.

Who Should Buy the Series S?

The Xbox Series S is perfect for budget-conscious gamers, younger players, or anyone who wants a secondary console. It's also ideal for 1440p gaming setups and those who primarily play through Game Pass. If you're looking for the absolute best performance or 4K gaming, the Series X is worth the extra investment.