The Xbox Series S 1TB has arrived, offering gamers a more storage-friendly version of Microsoft's popular console. But is it worth the extra outlay compared to the standard 512GB model?
For those who can stretch their budget, the 1TB edition is a no-brainer. You gain over double the usable storage space (more than 800GB out of the box) for a relatively small premium. This makes it a significantly more appealing prospect for the majority of gamers, finally addressing a major shortcoming of the original model.
The Xbox Series S, priced at £299.99, remains a remarkable value proposition. While it can't match the raw power of the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5, it still offers a solid current-generation gaming experience. Titles like "Microsoft Flight Simulator" and "Dead Island 2" look fantastic on 1080p or 1440p screens, though those with 4K TVs will likely notice the lower resolution and visual settings.
The lack of a disc drive keeps the console remarkably small and portable, but it does restrict access to physical game releases. However, an Xbox Game Pass subscription can help save money if you're keen on sampling some of the best Xbox Series X titles without breaking the bank.
Despite a lack of flashy exclusives, Microsoft's backwards compatibility efforts are still miles ahead of PlayStation, making the Series S an excellent way to revisit older games. I've been revisiting Xbox 360 gems like "Alice: Madness Returns" and "Far Cry 2," an experience that remains impossible to replicate on the more expensive PS5. Many older games are breathtaking, with enhanced resolutions and frame rates making them look better than ever.
Price and Availability
The Xbox Series S 1TB is available for £299.99, a £50 premium over the standard model. This makes it a much better value proposition than upgrading the base model with a separate storage expansion card, which costs around £85 for 512GB.
At its price point, the Series S 1TB remains considerably cheaper than its main rivals. If you're looking to enter the current-generation gaming scene on a budget, this is a fantastic option.
Specs
| Feature | Detail |
|----------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| Price | £299.99 |
| Dimensions | 6.5cm x 15.1cm x 27.5cm |
| Weight | 1.9kg |
| Capacity | 1TB SSD (800GB of usable storage) |
| Connectivity | WiFi 6, ethernet |
| CPU | Custom Zen 2 CPU |
| GPU | Custom RDNA 2 GPU |
| RAM | 10GB |
| Memory Bandwidth | 8 GB at 224 GB/s, 2 GB at 56 GB/s |
| Ports | 3 x USB-A, 1 x HDMI, 1 x power, 1 x ethernet, 1 x storage expansion |
Design and Features
The Xbox Series S is remarkably compact, smaller than the Xbox Series X and the original Xbox One. This makes it a perfect fit for smaller desks or entertainment centres.
The console can be oriented both horizontally and vertically, allowing for flexible setup options. It is available in both black and white colourways, with the latter being the newer option. I personally prefer the sleek look of the black model, though the white version with its black accents has its own appeal.
The front of the console is simple, with an illuminated Xbox logo power button, a small controller pairing button, and a USB port for accessories.
On the rear, you'll find an ethernet port, two USB ports, an HDMI output, a storage expansion port, and the two-prong power connector.
The omission of a disc drive is noteworthy, as this is a digital-only console. If you have a large physical game collection, this might be a dealbreaker.
The box includes the console, an HDMI cable, a power cable, and an Xbox Wireless Controller (in matching black or white). The modern Xbox Wireless Controller remains a fantastic, comfortable gamepad with excellent build quality.
Performance
Given its affordable price, the Xbox Series S 1TB delivers impressive performance. It targets a 1440p resolution with upscaling to 4K on compatible displays. All the games I tested looked excellent on a 1080p screen, but the differences between the Series S and the more powerful Series X become noticeable on a larger 4K TV.
The console supports frame rates up to 120fps, though most modern games will run closer to 60fps.
In "Dead Island 2", the console maintained a stable 60fps frame rate with no noticeable drops, even with its impressive gore effects. However, the game runs at 1080p, resulting in a slightly blurry picture on my TV.
The differences were more pronounced in "Microsoft Flight Simulator", which still looks impressive but not as photorealistic as on a high-end PC. The frame rate was also less stable, dipping into the low 20s in densely populated cities like Tokyo.
"Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2" also experienced performance compromises, struggling to maintain a consistent 30fps frame rate. While still playable, this did detract from the cinematic atmosphere.
"Forza Motorsport" offers two visual modes: Performance (60fps at 1080p) and Quality (30fps at 1440p). I chose Performance and was happy with the smooth races on my monitor, aided by dynamic resolution scaling.
It's unfair to penalize the Series S for these limitations, however, as you simply wouldn't achieve similar performance on a £300 PC. Even systems costing double or triple the price would struggle to replicate this performance without extensive tweaking and optimization.
Conclusion
The Xbox Series S 1TB offers an outstanding value proposition for budget-conscious gamers. Its small footprint, ample storage, and impressive performance make it a compelling alternative to the more powerful consoles, especially for those gaming on smaller screens. While it may not match the visual fidelity of the Series X or PS5, its affordability and accessibility are undeniable strengths.