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Difference Xbox Series S Et X

TechRadar Verdict

The Xbox Series X utilizes its powerful specs to significantly reduce load times and heave overall game functioning and visual allegiance. But while features such equally Quick Resume, Smart Delivery, and backward compatibility requite it that actress border, it'south hard to deny that it's lacking in primal areas – notably, significant UI improvements and captivating exclusive games.

Pros

  • +

    Significantly faster loading times

  • +

    Dolby Vision and Atmos back up

  • +

    4K/60fps gameplay (4K/120Hz support)

  • +

    Backwards compatibility for hundreds of games

Cons

  • -

    Exclusive library is lacking

  • -

    Minimal UI improvements

  • -

    Compatible TV required for full visual experience

Xbox Serial X one-minute review

The Xbox Serial X wasn't an essential buy at launch, but Microsoft's powerhouse panel is finally coming into its own. It'south always been a fantastic slice of hardware, mind y'all, one which can solidify itself as an incredible new-gen panel in the future.

But until now, the new Xbox has been missing the initial wow factor we've come up to await with each new console generation. There'd been a distinct lack of games that truly make the almost out of Microsoft's new system, and the feeling that things are more of a continuation of what we've had before isn't helped past the same UI from the Xbox One.

Information technology's easy, so, to feel slightly underwhelmed at first when you kicking up the flagship Xbox, but soon the improvements brainstorm to make themselves known. Thankfully, the Xbox Series X now has a library of games that showcase what Microsoft'southward new hardware can do. Halo Infinite, Forza Horizon 5, Psychonauts 2, and Microsoft Flight Simulator are now available.

And that's good news, considering we've always been impressed with the Xbox Series X from a hardware perspective. It'south super-fast, practically silent, and delivers the kind of infrequent functioning that we've previously just seen from high-stop gaming PCs. This ensures that games – both old and new – look and perform better than they ever accept before, and provides a solid foundation for Microsoft to build upon in the years to come.

Xbox Series 10 one yr on

Xbox Series X release date

(Image credit: Microsoft)

We've updated our Xbox Series X review to reverberate our impressions after using the console for over a year. Microsoft has rolled out a few welcome improvements to the Serial X, and now finally has the exclusive titles that take full advantage of the hardware's ability similar Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5.

Just dissimilar the best gaming PCs, which tends to cost thousands of dollars, Microsoft has packed a considerable amount of power nether the Xbox Serial 10's monolith-esque frame for just $499 / £449 / AU$749. The end outcome is a technically advanced console with drastically reduced load times and significantly improved visual allegiance in games, that's competitively priced.

The deal is sweetened further thanks to numerous quality-of-life features enhancing your gameplay experience, similar Quick Resume and FPS Heave, which we'll hash out in further detail below. However, even though the Xbox Series Ten's raw hardware power cannot be understated – and its new time-saving features are most certainly welcome – it's defective in some critical areas.

The Xbox Series X still doesn't take the same library of 'must-have' exclusives that PS5 or even Nintendo Switch tin offering, just information technology does have Xbox Game Pass. It'south a subscription service that lets y'all access hundreds of games for a monthly fee – and if yous're someone who loves to play new titles each and every calendar month spanning multiple genres, it'south the all-time deal in gaming correct now.

Even though Xbox Game Pass is mostly populated by older titles, many are optimized to accept advantage of Xbox Serial X's hardware, such as Gears 5, Forza Horizon iv, and Sea of Thieves. So, information technology's a swell identify to experience new-gen games for less. What'due south more, all first-party titles hitting the service on day one, and thanks to Microsoft'due south acquisition of ZeniMax Media, Xbox Game Pass is now abode to a agglomeration of Bethesda titles - with future titles like Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 landing on the service on day one. Microsoft also plans to larn Activision Blizzard, which means series similar Call of Duty volition hit this service in the futurity.

Microsoft's flagship console is as powerful as you'd wait, then, but nosotros'd agree off on buying an Xbox Series 10 unless you're already heavily invested in the Xbox ecosystem. Or, if you but want the all-time Xbox console experience possible right now. For everyone else, it may be worth waiting until the new-gen library of games becomes more than substantial. Read on for our full Xbox Series X review.

Xbox Series X review: cost and release engagement

Xbox Series X

(Epitome credit: Future)
  • Xbox Series X release engagement: Out now (released November ten, 2020)
  • Xbox Serial X price: $499 / £449 / AU$749

The Xbox Series X launched globally on November x, 2020, giving Microsoft a two-day head start confronting Sony'due south PS5, which was released on November 12 (in select countries and November xix for the residuum of the world). Check out our PS5 review if you're interested in Sony's panel

The Xbox Serial X is priced at $499 / £449 / AU$749. A lower-specced, digital-simply version of the console, the Xbox Series Due south, also launched on Nov x, priced at $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499. If that cost point sounds more appealing, read our full Xbox Series S review.

While this isn't exactly pocket money, it's a decent price for the new Xbox. It'due south the same toll as the (at present discontinued) Xbox One was at launch, as well matching the MSRP of the similarly discontinued Xbox One 10. Both of these are nowhere near equally powerful every bit the Xbox Serial X. Considering that the Series X has specs similar to a gaming PC, the $500 mark is pretty bully – you lot'll be very hard-pressed to find a gaming PC at this cost tag.

However, as mentioned, if you lot want to get the nearly out of your Xbox Series 10 we recommend picking up an Xbox Game Laissez passer Ultimate subscription, which costs $15 / £10.99 / AU$fifteen.95 a calendar month (annual subscriptions are also available, which shaves a trivial off the price for a year). While this is an additional outlay, that grants you extra access to hundreds of Xbox Game Pass games (including Bethesda and EA titles), Xbox Live Gold, cloud gaming, and monthly free games, which should save you money in the long term compared with ownership games separately.

If y'all're not fussed about the bells and whistles of Game Pass Ultimate, then it may exist worth picking upwards a regular Game Pass subscription instead, which costs ($nine.99 / £7.99 / AU$10.95). That only grants admission to the service on panel (rather than both PC and console) and does abroad with deject gaming on mobile devices.

It'due south worth pointing out that the Xbox Series Ten is besides available on Microsoft'due south Xbox All Admission subscription service in select regions, including the US, U.k., and Australia. Xbox All Access bundles together the panel with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate on a 24-month plan (giving yous access to the latter for the duration) at a price of $34.99 /£28.99 / AU$46 a month, with no upfront costs – which feels like a very adept deal.

But the Xbox Series X isn't the just new-gen panel available, and information technology's likewise worth checking out the PS5 and PS5 Digital, which initially launched at similar price points. However, we've recently seen the PS5 get a price hike with Sony blaming this on soaring inflation globally. Nosotros won't delve likewise much into that here, though, but it currently makes the Xbox Series Ten the cheaper powerhouse pick.

Xbox Series X review: pattern

Xbox Series X review vertical orientation

(Prototype credit: Time to come)
  • Mod, sleek pattern
  • Extremely quiet
  • Emits same amount of heat equally Xbox One X
  • Minimal UI and dashboard updates

The design of the Xbox Series X is a major departure from its predecessors – the upright tower pattern is more than reminiscent of a desktop gaming PC, though you tin position the console horizontally, too.

Measuring 15.ane x 15 x 30.1cm and weighing four.45kg, the cuboid-shaped console is matte black all over, apart from a dark-green hue inside the indented cooling vents on the superlative – information technology'southward a clever optical illusion that elevates the console'southward design.

The design of the face of the console is pretty straightforward, with the signature Xbox ability button at the top-left, a disc drive (and eject button) at the bottom-left, and a pairing button and USB three.2 port at the lesser-right (the pairing button also acts as an IR receiver). The back of the console has some cooling vents likewise as an HDMI 2.1 output port, two USB 3.2 ports, one networking port, a storage expansion slot, and a power input port.

An interesting accessibility characteristic on the dorsum of the console is that all the ports have tactile indicators (little, raised dots) which indicate which port you are touching. For example, the USB 3.2 ports have iii raised ports, while the power input port has only one. This aims to aid reach-around cabling and to make the panel more attainable to the visually impaired.

Xbox Series X review rear

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The sides of the console (when information technology's upright) are bare, save for a discreet Xbox logo in the corner of the left side and four rubber pads on the correct, which permit for the console to sit horizontally. On the bottom of the panel is a slightly elevated disc-shaped stand, forth with some more vents for cooling – as mentioned, the top of the console is designed to help with ventilation, as this is where the Xbox Series X exhausts any heat it generates.

The console itself looks minimalistic, sleek… monolithic even. Despite its weight and fairly large size, it looks considerably smaller than its measurements would suggest. We institute it slotted with ease into an Ikea Kallax shelving unit (39cm ten 39cm), when oriented either horizontally or vertically, and comfortably composite in with its surroundings.

The Xbox Series X pattern is something you lot'll either dearest or hate – nosotros plant it a welcome change from the previous low-contour Xbox consoles. Information technology'south sleek, modernistic, and looks similar something a grown-up would actually desire to own, and information technology's a nice development from the flat-only-compact Xbox One Due south and 1 X models. Yet, the matte black design does mean the console is easily scuffed and scratched, though it doesn't go dirty.

Quiet as a whisper – but pretty toasty

Xbox Series X

(Image credit: TechRadar)

A major upside of the Xbox Series Ten is how unexpectedly tranquillity it is. We've nigh become accustomed to consoles revving up like they're about to have off when running games that really put them through their paces; simply the Xbox Series Ten is the quietest Xbox we've had the pleasure of playing on.

When yous're on the home screen, the console puts out effectually 30dB of sound – that's most the audio level of a whisper – and this changes very little when y'all actually load upwards and play games. When playing Sea of Thieves, No Homo'southward Sky, and PlayerUnknown'southward Battlegrounds, we found the decibels never exceeded 33dB.

That said, when installing a larger update nosotros recorded levels up to 45dB, which is roughly as noisy as a printer in action. Even so, that'due south not too loud, and it barely registers over the audio of actually playing a game. This was as well the case when sampling various new-gen titles.

It'south welcome news for those who don't desire their gameplay interrupted by the whirring of a struggling machine – but with this quietness comes some heat. The Xbox Series X is on a par with the Xbox 1 Ten for rut emission, with oestrus dispersed through the cooling vents at the top, which we advise leaving ample space for. The console itself does get toasty, too, but we didn't notice that this impacted performance when running more intensive new-gen titles.

Xbox Series 10 UI and dashboard

Xbox Series X UI

(Image credit: Microsoft)

While the external blueprint of the Xbox Series X is a considerable departure from its predecessors, the console'south UI and dashboard contain more subtle changes.

The Xbox Series 10 dashboard is pretty much the same as the Xbox Ane's. The main reason for this is considering Microsoft rolled out a meaty update to the Xbox One dorsum in August 2020 to make its UI more streamlined, and to converge it with that of the Xbox Series X.

That ways the Xbox Serial X UI still has a tiled layout with customizable pins. So, you can cull which games and apps you want to see first on your home screen, and offers easy access to games, apps, party chat, and other features via the Xbox push button on your controller. It's a pretty streamlined interface that allows for plenty of customization options and easy navigation.

Customization seems to be at the heart of the Xbox Series X UI. In improver to moving effectually your pinned games and apps, Microsoft is besides letting players express themselves a bit more with the inclusion of new profile themes, acting as a background for your contour page. Players tin also now finally employ dynamic backgrounds, which offers a more than personalized dwelling screen option for those who are bored of the Xbox 1'due south static offering.

The Xbox Series X dashboard is quicker to navigate than previously, likewise, just nosotros did discover that there were some pop-in issues when content was being pulled in from the internet. We also found ourselves a chip underwhelmed generally past the UI and dashboard, as it's lacking any real adjacent-gen flair. We would have liked to see an overhaul that really distinguished the Xbox Series X from its predecessor and fabricated it look new, with easier ways to navigate to media outside of having to add your streaming apps to a pin grouping.

Xbox Series X review: performance

Xbox Series X

(Image credit: Future)
  • Significantly faster loading times and more stability
  • Easily expandable storage
  • 4K/60fps gameplay (up to 120fps support)
  • Auto HDR

The Xbox Serial X is an absolute powerhouse, rocking an viii-core AMD Zen two processor running at 3.8GHz, a custom RDNA 2 AMD GPU that puts out 12 TFLOPs of processing power, 16GB of GDDR6 retentivity, and a 1TB Custom NVMe SSD.

Xbox Series X specs

Xbox Series X on a blank background with two plants

(Prototype credit: Shutterstock / vfhnb12)

CPU: 8x Cores @ three.8 GHz (3.half dozen GHz w/ SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU

GPU: 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz Custom RDNA ii GPU

Die Size: 360.45 mm2

Process: 7nm Enhanced

Memory: xvi GB GDDR6 w/ 320b bus

Retentiveness Bandwidth: 10GB @ 560 GB/due south, 6GB @ 336 GB/southward

Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD I/O Throughput: 2.4 GB/southward (Raw), 4.8 GB/southward

Expandable Storage: 1TB Expansion Carte (matches internal storage exactly)

External Storage: USB iii.2 External HDD Support

Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray Drive

Operation Target: 4K @ 60fps, Up to 120fps

So what does that mean in terms of real-world functioning?

Shorter loading times

Yakuza: Like a Dragon on Xbox Series X

(Image credit: Sega)

Well, for a beginning, the Xbox Serial X is super-fast thanks to its NVMe SSD. We've seen the Xbox Series 10 shave tens of seconds off the load times in games, compared with how they run on the Xbox One Southward. The Xbox Serial X always loaded quicker – in some cases past a few seconds, and in others almost halving the load time.

To give you an thought of how much faster these load times are, we timed how long it took to load into a game from clicking the 'Continue' button on the menu screen, for the same games on the Xbox One S and Xbox Serial X.

While some titles benefit more than others from faster load speeds, even a few seconds saved is welcome. While games such every bit Ori and the Blind Forest load fairly quickly anyway, meaning the divergence is less noticeable, it's with titles like Sea of Thieves where the power of the SSD really shines – nosotros saw the loading time for Sea of Thieves cutting down from 100 seconds to simply 35.

When information technology comes to next-gen titles, nosotros constitute the few loading screens nosotros were presented with lasted mere seconds. The speed reward was really shown off by Yakuza: Like a Dragon's fast travel, which comes in the form of a taxi ride. Information technology took around iv.7 seconds to fast-travel to a different district from the moment nosotros accustomed the ride, a big comeback over our experience on Xbox Ane.

4K at 60fps (upwardly to 120fps)

The Falconeer on Xbox Series X

(Image credit: Wired Productions)

The Xbox Series X's RDNA 2 GPU allows the panel to target 4K at 60fps, however, it also means in that location's support for up to 120fps.

Reaching 4K at 120fps

To make sure nosotros could feel Series Ten gameplay the way it was intended, we hooked the console up to a 55-inch Samsung Q80T QLED 4K HDR Smart Goggle box. Nosotros made sure the TV's game mode was enabled, and configured the Xbox'due south TV settings to allow for 4K UHD and 120fps, which is merely achievable on an HDMI ii.i-compliant display like Samsung's here, and which is recommended for enabling the best visual experience possible.

Unless you lot're fussy most your frame rates, nosotros would say that getting an HDMI 2.1-compliant display isn't necessarily essential. The Xbox Series X'due south native 4K at 60fps means y'all get the best of both worlds, minimal frame charge per unit drops (resulting in a smoother experience), and pretty stunning visuals. However, information technology's worth noting that for this you practise require a 4K-prepare Tv set for 4K resolutions.

While 120fps feels buttery-shine in games such as The Falconeer, these games practice cede resolution equally a result. So, for case, the Falconeer can be played in 4K at 60fps. Only if you choose the 120fps option, you'll find fewer frame drops and better response times, at the expense of sharpness as resolution drops to 1080p. It's all virtually compromise and personal preference.

That being said, the likes of Gears 5'due south multiplayer allows for 4K at 120fps (thank you to Xbox Serial Ten optimization) and, as a outcome, offers a smooth and visually impressive upgrade over its Xbox Ane predecessor. If you savour fast-paced competitive multiplayer, so you'll notice a huge difference from the Xbox One family.

To enable 120fps, you can pop into your console'south sound and visual settings, where you can cull from various frame rate and resolution options. It's pretty straightforward, and nosotros're pleased to see simply how many Xbox Series X games with 120fps support there is, including The Falconeer and Gears 5'due south multiplayer, Phone call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War, Halo Infinite multiplayer, and more.

Auto HDR on Xbox Series Ten

Sea of Thieves on Xbox Series X

(Image credit: Rare)

Like the Xbox One, the Xbox Series 10 allows for scale of HDR for games. We'd advise setting this before playing whatsoever games, every bit information technology ensures the balance of contrast is spot-on, giving y'all the best visuals possible.

For our initial review, we primarily had admission to a pick of backwards-compatible titles which are the best indicator of the heave in performance the Xbox Series X delivers over its final-gen counterparts. With the above settings enabled, we found that the games immediately looked improve on the Xbox Serial X – which isn't particularly surprising, given that Microsoft has implemented native HDR for these titles.

We go into detail equally to how this functioning boost improves Xbox Serial X Optimized titles further down, just in brusk, when playing backwards-compatible titles on the Xbox One S and Xbox Series X versions side-past-side nosotros could conspicuously see the visual upgrade.

FPS Boost on Xbox Series Ten

Watch Dogs 2 free

(Epitome credit: Ubisoft)

Microsoft has added a new feature to Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S post-launch called FPS Boost, which has the potential to quadruple the framerates of older titles. It ways that games that were previously locked to xxx frames per 2d can now hitting 60fps - some games tin can even hit 120fps.

At present, FPS Boost merely applies to a specific selection of Xbox Ane games. The list is all-encompassing but unfortunately, Microsoft'southward not adding whatsoever further games to this. Still, FPS Heave is a fantastic upgrade, particularly for those with an Xbox Game Pass subscription, every bit information technology allows Xbox One games to apply the power of the Xbox Series X. And then, for compatible games, it feels less of a technological step back when you make up one's mind to revisit some of your favorite Xbox One games.

If, for some reason, you lot don't want to play these games at a college framerate, you tin can also turn information technology off on a per-game basis. However, we'd recommend leaving it on every bit it makes games look visually smoother and feel far more responsive.

We've included some of the Xbox Series Ten/South games that support FPS Boost in the linked listing.

Xbox Serial X Storage

Xbox Series X storage

(Image credit: TechRadar)

The Xbox Series X's 1TB Custom NVMe SSD translates to 802GB of usable storage, with 198GB reserved for system files and the Xbox operating system. We were able to download 18 games of varying sizes earlier having to apply the console'due south expandable storage.

That's a fair clamper to play through, then, but nosotros'd advise picking up the Seagate Storage Expansion Card if you actually want to take reward of features such every bit Quick Resume and the plethora of titles available through Xbox Game Pass. It's of import to note that true new-gen titles will likely have up more storage space in one case their optimizations have been rolled out.

Along with our panel, we were able to examination Seagate's 1TB expansion storage card for the Xbox Series X, which besides comes in 512GB and 2TB options. The 1TB carte doesn't come cheap at $219.99 / £219.99 / AU$359, but we found it extremely piece of cake to use – when we were running out of storage, we only slotted the card into the back of the Xbox and accessed the actress terabyte. When the console detects that information technology's budgeted its storage capacity, information technology asks if you desire to install on the card instead, while besides offering a straightforward option for freeing up space by deleting games.

If the expansion storage menu runs a bit expensive for your taste, you tin always adhere an external drive HDD or SSD via the panel'southward USB 3.one port. Still, these tin just play Xbox 1 and backward-compatible games (with the SSD allowing for faster loading times). You can store your Xbox Series X games on the external HDD or SSD, but merely an NVMe SSD can play Xbox Series X Optimized titles.

The process of adding an external hard drive works in the same style equally information technology did on Xbox One: you merely plug the storage into i of the organisation'south USB ports, and the Xbox will detect it. If the drive needs to be formatted, y'all'll see a prompt request y'all to practice this. It'southward a plug-and-play solution that works merely as you'd hope.

What's practiced near the Xbox Serial X's storage is that, when you lot're installing (or uninstalling) games, yous can select particular parts of games to install rather than the total thing. For case, you tin can download Doom Eternal's multiplayer but non the entrada, or vice versa. We're curious to see how many games will back up this kind of installation functionality in the future, considering it's a welcome feature and should assist with storage management.

Xbox Series X review: controller

Xbox Series X controller

(Image credit: TechRadar)
  • Feels familiar in the hand yet subtly dissimilar
  • Works on a range of devices
  • Improved tactile textures and refined geometry
  • New 'Share' push

The Xbox Serial X Controller feels familiar in the hand yet subtly different. It's got improved tactile textures and refined geometry which makes for a more ergonomic, and more comfortable, playing experience.

On the surface, the Xbox Series 10 controller doesn't look like a particularly desperate departure from its predecessor. It sports a similar shape and keeps the traditional button and trigger layout. On closer inspection, though, you begin to notice the subtle differences Microsoft has implemented.

The gamepad's outside now sports a matte finish that closely matches the console's design. While this certainly looks sleek, there's a few drawbacks – the black controller that comes with the console easily picks up noticeable scuffs and scrapes, and considering the corporeality of hands-on time controllers are subjected, you may find information technology hard to proceed yours looking in tip-top status for years to come up. Other colour variants are available though (you lot'll need to buy these separately), including Electric Volt, DayStrike Camo, and Pulse Cherry, and some may be less prone to scuffs.

That's a small quibble, though, and overall we found that the Xbox Serial X controller resembles a more than premium controller, both in look and feel. The revised pad now has a tactile texture on the triggers, grips, and bumpers, which we institute fabricated the controller experience more secure in our hands.

In addition, while the controller is the same size equally its predecessor, the bumpers and triggers have been rounded and reduced in size by a few millimetres, which makes the gamepad feel less beefy. If you're someone with pocket-sized hands, past Xbox Ane controllers have felt quite tanky, but this unproblematic alter improves condolement levels in a subtle simply noticeable fashion.

Xbox controller

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Perchance the nigh notable changes to the controller are the improver of the 'Share' button and the hybrid D-pad. The Share button substantially acts as a capture button, assuasive you to easily snap screenshots of your game – a unmarried click takes a snapshot while property the push down for longer records a 15-second video by default (y'all can adjust the video duration in the Capture settings).

This is much easier than on the Xbox 1, where y'all had to press the home button so X or Y. Still, we did find it a flake fiddly to apace take a screenshot – your experience may vary depending on how big your hands are.

The hybrid D-pad, on the other hand, aims to provide a heart ground betwixt the Xbox 1 controller's classic D-pad and the Xbox Aristocracy Wireless Controller Series 2's changeable disc-shaped, faceted D-pad. What results is a kind of traditional D-pad, laid over a disc. Again, this is a small but welcome alter and is intended to give more command and leverage over the D-pad – while generally feeling more comfortable.

But there's a lot about the controller's design that hasn't changed. It keeps the three.5mm audio jack and expansion port at the lesser, its USB accuse port and pairing button at the meridian, and its View, Menu, and Xbox buttons on the face up.

In improver to the cosmetic changes, the Xbox Series X controller brings improvements in functionality too. We found the controller to be more responsive, which is likely down to the lower latency Microsoft has boasted about (paired with more frame charge per unit stability), while connecting the gamepad wirelessly via Bluetooth to a range of devices – including the Xbox I, an iPhone 11, and a Mac – was straightforward.

The Series Ten controller again runs on AA batteries (regular or rechargeable), but if you want to avert the hassle of changing or charging batteries constantly and then you tin invest in a Play and Accuse Kit (a rechargeable battery dorsum that you can use to charge the controller while you lot're playing or betwixt sessions), or connect your controller to the console via USB-C (although this will, of course, limit your freedom of movement).

Xbox Series X review: features

Xbox Series X logo

(Paradigm credit: TechRadar)
  • Quick Resume is pretty seamless
  • Great backward compatibility with games and accessories
  • 4K UHD Blu-ray bulldoze
  • Dolby Atmos and DTS support

The Xbox Series X has a number of useful features and meaningful quality-of-life improvements, while the inclusion of a 4K Blu-ray bulldoze and access to entertainment apps means the console can double-upwardly equally a domicile entertainment organisation.

Quick Resume on Xbox Series 10

Gears Tactics on Xbox Series X

(Prototype credit: The Coalition)

Perhaps the virtually welcome of the Xbox Serial Ten's features is Quick Resume. The purpose of Quick Resume is to allow you to continue a game from a suspended state pretty much instantly. Then, inside seconds, you lot can jump back into the game where you left off, as if yous never stopped playing, without having to sit through loading screens again. Not only that, but you tin can jump between multiple games that have been left in this suspended state in no time at all.

We could seamlessly jump between gameplay in  seconds, as long equally the games you're hopping between take already been booted up at some bespeak beforehand. We were able to jump from beingness in a timberyard as Alan Wake to being Alyson Ronan in Dontnod's Tell Me Why within xi.four seconds, by pressing the Xbox button on the controller and selecting the game from the sidebar. That'south from gameplay to gameplay – no loading screens. If nosotros wanted to access Tell Me Why from the Xbox dashboard home screen, selected as the current game we were playing, the time from the dashboard to gameplay was 2.7 seconds.

Online multiplayer games piece of work a bit differently from other titles. Naturally, it wouldn't be feasible to allow players to suspend mid-play during online gameplay, or nosotros'd but take a bunch of AFK players on the servers. For example, if you're mid-game in Sea of Thieves, and and then decide to jump into another game, you'll be removed from the game – simply you can Quick Resume from the title screen.

Since its launch, Quick Resume has received an update that makes the feature more than reliable, makes it easier to see which games you have stored in a suspended state. That likewise identifies which games actually support the feature, with the power to simply select each game from the My Games and Apps carte du jour. Information technology's a very welcome quality-of-life feature that simply makes using Quick Resume a niggling scrap easier.

Backward compatibility on Xbox Series Ten

Alan Wake backwards compatibility on Xbox Series X

(Prototype credit: Remedy Entertainment)

Another of the Xbox Series X'south best features is the latitude of its astern compatibility. There are well over ane,000 astern-compatible titles bachelor, meaning you'll exist hard-pressed to detect an older game yous have that isn't supported on the Series X.

Equally mentioned previously, we found these titles loaded faster and simply played improve; improved stability means fewer frame charge per unit drops, which makes older games feel nicer to play, fifty-fifty if they're otherwise a little outdated by the standards of modern blockbusters. Sadly, Microsoft has confirmed it's unlikely that nosotros'll run into more added in the hereafter.

This backward compatibility as well extends to Xbox accessories. We constitute that nosotros could easily connect the original Xbox Wireless Controller and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Serial 2 to the Xbox Series 10 with no problems, and we were too able to connect our headsets.

Any officially licensed Xbox 1 accessory that connects either wirelessly or via a wired USB connection should work on the Xbox Series 10, such equally the Xbox Wireless Headset; even so, it's worth noting that optical port connections aren't supported, although some of these products may work with a firmware update.

Smart Delivery

Watch Dogs: Legion on Xbox Series X

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Xbox Smart Commitment aims to allow players to always have admission to the best possible version of an Xbox game, whichever console they're playing on. Essentially, it's a fleck similar forward compatibility and backward compatibility combined.

Nosotros institute that nosotros could access the games we had access to on Xbox Series X on the Xbox Ane S without issue, and without having to purchase ii versions of the same title. So, for example, we could play The Falconeer on Xbox Series 10 – with its optimizations – then jump onto the Xbox One South and go on playing the game there, just without the Series 10 optimizations.

Save data is carried between consoles, then nosotros could easily jump between playing on both. As well, our Xbox One games were easily accessible on the Xbox Series 10, with upgrades becoming immediately available for those that currently have Series X optimizations, such as Gears Tactics and Gears 5.

Netflix

(Epitome credit: Netflix)

The Serial X too offers a range of multimedia features. For one, the console boasts a congenital-in 4K Blu-ray thespian that's elementary to utilize.

You also have access to a range of streaming services: in that location'southward Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and others that are bachelor on existing Xbox One consoles, plus some that are new to the platform, including Apple TV Plus and region-specific apps such equally Hulu in the US and Sky Go in the Great britain. All of these can accept advantage of the console's 4K UHD capabilities, although some crave a decent internet connectedness.

While all the most popular entertainment apps are available, nosotros did find that there are yet some (more than regional apps) that we wish we had access to, such as ITV Hub and BBC iPlayer in the UK.

Dolby Vision support

Gears 5 Xbox Series X

(Image credit: The Coaliton)

Microsoft is also the simply new-gen panel maker to support Dolby Vision, a more exacting HDR format that allows for superior dissimilarity and color accuracy. In terms of content, yous can watch shows and movies in Dolby Vision with Netflix (if y'all shell out for the premium subscription tier).

The advantage Dolby Vision has over standard HDR10 is that it supports 12-bit color, enabling the panel to display more than than 68.7 billion colors, far more than the x-flake HDR format could evidence. Of grade, how good those colors will expect ultimately depends on your TV – which also needs to support Dolby Vision, although that'south par for the class. You can at present enjoy Dolby Vision gaming too.

It's worth noting that the 4K Blu-ray player in the Xbox Series X doesn't notwithstanding support Dolby Vision, though we could see this changing in the nearly time to come with a firmware update.

DTS and Dolby Atmos support

Forza Horizon 4 Xbox Series X

(Image credit: Playground Games)

While the default headphones setting for Xbox Series X is Windows Sonic, as on the Xbox One earlier it, the Xbox Series X also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS headphone: X audio – though you need to purchase a carve up license for each.

Windows Sonic is fine for those who aren't likewise fussed virtually their audio, just Dolby Atmos and DTS provide a fuller spatial sound experience. This ways, for example, that you tin tell from an enemy's footsteps exactly where they are in relation to you. If you're someone who plays a lot of online multiplayer then information technology could be worth picking i of these up, especially every bit you don't demand a specific headset for either to work – though to use Dolby Atmos you require a compatible soundbar.

Information technology'due south likewise worth noting that these only work with games that support Dolby Atmos or DTS audio, which include the likes of Gears five, Forza Horizon 4, and Rise of the Tomb Raider.

Xbox App

Xbox Series X app

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The new Xbox App for iOS and Android is an upgraded version of the companion app that gives you more control than before.

It allows you to specifically manage storage beyond your Xbox consoles, voice-chat with friends on either Xbox or PC, and easily share clips and screenshots from games and granting like shooting fish in a barrel access to remote play.

You can even use the app as a remote control for your console, which is very handy for multimedia services. Overall, nosotros found the companion app made it easier than ever to access and manage our Xboxes on the go.

Xbox Series X review: library

The Touryst on Xbox Series X

(Prototype credit: Shin'en Multimedia)
  • Launch title lineup is a flake disappointing
  • Combined with Xbox Game Pass, offers plenty to play
  • Enough of astern-compatible games to play

The Xbox Series 10 game library is perhaps what lets the new panel down the nearly. For a showtime, there were only a handful of new large-proper noun games that landed on the console at launch – Assassin's Creed Valhalla, Lookout Dogs: Legion, Dirt 5, and Yakuza: Similar a Dragon, none of which were Xbox exclusives.

In fact, every Xbox Series X launch game was already bachelor (or would be bachelor) on Xbox One – and many were released on PS5 too. The launch titles that were Xbox exclusives, such as Gears 5, Forza Horizon 4, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps, were all optimized versions of Xbox One titles.

The Xbox sectional situation has thankfully improved, with Halo Infinite, Microsoft Flight Simulator, and Forza Horizon 5 bolstering Microsoft's lineup. However, in that location'due south even so a distinct lack of games that tin only be played on Xbox Series 10|S, similar Bloober Team'south psychological thriller The Medium. Information technology'll exist a while withal before we go our hands on big hitters similar Everwild, Redfall, and Legend.

While the next few months for Xbox games withal await a bit uncertain, Microsoft has a major ace in the hole: its acquisition of ZeniMax Media, the parent visitor of Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard. This is a huge move by Microsoft that could seriously eternalize that lackluster exclusive offering, meaning that future Bethesda titles like The Elderberry Scrolls 6 and Starfield will come exclusively to Xbox and PC.

Now that'due south a prospect that makes Xbox Serial X very interesting and could give it a serious advantage over the PS5.

Xbox Game Pass

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The saving grace, in terms of the games available, is that Xbox Series X players have admission to thousands of astern-compatible games, then you'll take plenty of older games to play.

If you're picking up an Xbox Series X, we would strongly advise picking upward an Xbox Game Laissez passer Ultimate subscription to bolster your library. Every bit previously mentioned, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate means you get access to hundreds of Xbox One games off the bat, including showtime-party Xbox games on solar day one. So, in terms of coin-saving, pairing your Game Pass subscription with your new console ways you won't have to shell out for brand-new games – unless they're not included on Game Pass.

In the past half-dozen months, we've seen fifty-fifty more than titles added to Game Pass, including a large number of Bethesda titles, with Microsoft confirming nosotros volition see hereafter kickoff-party Xbox games hit the service on launch day - that includes Bethesda games. Activision Blizzard games will also come up to the service.

Xbox Series X optimized

Xbox Series X optimized logo

(Prototype credit: Microsoft)

A handful of the best Xbox One games have been optimized for the Xbox Series 10. These titles have been upgraded or built with the Xbox Series 10 in mind, in order to make the most of the panel's power – and boy, do they bear witness information technology.

We tested a few Optimized titles including Gears 5, Yakuza: Similar a Dragon, The Falconeer, and Dirt five, and found that these games boasted minimal loading times, improved stability, and considerably enhanced visuals.

For example, Gears 5 on Xbox Series X boasts ray tracing and 4K at 60fps, making the entrada mode look amend than e'er earlier, and load faster. It's immediately more immersive, cheers to more stable frame rates and a lack of loading screen walls. The difference is even more than noticeable in Gears five's multiplayer, which allows for 4K at 120fps, resulting in buttery shine performance that feels much more responsive – and which is critical in online multiplayer. With Dolby Atmos support equally well, the game is a brilliant showcase for the Xbox Series 10'southward unbridled power.

Should I buy the Xbox Series Ten?

Xbox Series X horizontal

(Image credit: Hereafter)

Purchase it if...

Xbox Series X

(Image credit: Future)

Don't purchase it if...

Also consider

First reviewed: November 2020.

  • Which Xbox console is correct for yous?

Vic is TechRadar Gaming'south Associate Editor. An honor-winning games journalist, Vic brings experience from IGN, Eurogamer and more to the TechRadar table. You lot may take even heard her on the radio or speaking on a panel. Not simply is Vic passionate about games, merely she's also an avid mental health advocate who has appeared on both panels and podcasts to discuss mental health awareness. Make sure to follow her on Twitter for more.

Source: https://www.techradar.com/nz/reviews/xbox-series-x

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