After spending countless hours testing both consoles and helping dozens of friends make their Xbox buying decisions, I’ve put together this comprehensive comparison to help you choose between the Xbox Series X vs Series S in 2025. We did a detailed Xbox Series X vs Series S and here’s something that might surprise you: according to Microsoft’s latest sales data, the more affordable Series S actually outsold the Series X in several markets during 2024! But does that mean it’s the right choice for you? Let’s dive in and find out!
Price Comparison and Value Proposition
I remember agonizing over this exact decision when I was helping my nephew choose his first Xbox. The Series S initially seemed like a no-brainer at $299, especially compared to the Series X‘s $499 price tag. But here’s the thing – the real cost isn’t quite that simple!
Through my experience setting up both consoles, I’ve learned that the total cost of ownership often evens out more than you’d expect. Here’s why:
- The Series X includes a 1TB SSD, while the Series S only has 512GB
- I’ve found that most Series S owners end up buying the Seagate Storage Expansion Card ($179) within their first year
- The Series X‘s disc drive lets you buy used games and resell them (I’ve saved hundreds this way!)
- Digital games often cost $5-10 more than physical copies
Pro tip: If you’re patient, you can usually find the Series X bundled with a game for $449 during major sales events. I’ve tracked prices for the past year, and these deals pop up at least once per quarter!
Hardware Specifications Face-Off
Let me tell you about my “aha” moment with these consoles. I initially thought the specs wouldn’t matter much, but boy, was I wrong! After setting up both consoles in my gaming room for testing, the differences became crystal clear.
The Series X packs
- 12 teraflops of GPU power
- 16GB GDDR6 RAM
- Custom NVME 1TB SSD
- 4K UHD Blu-ray drive
While the Series S offers:
- 4 teraflops of GPU power
- 10GB GDDR6 RAM
- Custom NVME 512GB SSD
- No disc drive
Here’s a real-world example: When I fired up Forza Motorsport on both consoles, the Series X maintained a rock-solid 4K/60fps with ray tracing enabled. The Series S? It still looked great at 1440p, but you could definitely spot the differences in lighting and texture detail.
Xbox Series X vs Series S Gaming Performance Analysis
You know what’s funny? I used to think 4K gaming was just marketing hype. Then I plugged the Series X into my 4K TV, and wow – what a difference! But here’s the interesting part: when I play on my 1440p monitor in my office, the Series S feels nearly identical in many games.
From my extensive testing, here’s what you can typically expect:
- Native 4K gaming at 60fps in most titles
- Some games support 120fps at lower resolutions
- Ray tracing without major performance hits
- Consistently faster load times
- 1440p resolution (usually upscaled to 4K)
- Similar frame rates to Series X at lower resolutions
- Ray tracing available but with more compromises
- Quick resume works just as well as Series X
One thing I’ve noticed – the gap between the consoles seems to be widening as games become more demanding. Games like the new Fable really show the Series X‘s muscle!
Digital vs Physical Gaming Considerations
I’ll be honest – I was skeptical about going all-digital when I first tested the Series S. But after a year of using Game Pass and digital sales, I’ve changed my tune… somewhat.
The reality is, both approaches have their merits:
Digital Benefits:
- Instant game switching (no disc swapping!)
- Sales are becoming more frequent and competitive
- No scratched discs or storage hassles
- Game sharing works great with family
Physical Benefits:
- Often cheaper, especially for new releases
- Can resell games when finished
- Collectors editions and steelbooks
- No internet required for installation
The biggest lesson I’ve learned? If you buy more than 8-10 games per year, the disc drive savings can actually offset the Series X‘s higher price tag!
Storage Solutions and Management
Let me share a painful lesson I learned the hard way: 512GB disappears FAST on the Series S! After installing Call of Duty and a handful of other games, I was already shuffling content around.
Here’s what I’ve discovered about managing storage:
- Series X: 802GB usable storage
- Series S: 364GB usable storage
- External drives work great for backward-compatible games
- Only Seagate’s official expansion cards work for Series X|S games
My top storage tip? Use an external USB drive for older games and keep your internal SSD for current-gen titles. I’ve saved hundreds by not having to buy the expensive expansion card!
Who Should Buy the Xbox Series X?
After helping countless friends make this decision, I’ve noticed some clear patterns. The Series X is perfect for:
- 4K TV owners who want the best visual experience
- Gamers who regularly buy and resell physical games
- People with large game libraries who need the storage
- Competitive players who demand max performance
- Those who want their console to last 5+ years
I especially recommend the X if you’re planning to upgrade to a 4K TV in the next year – you’ll thank yourself later!
Who Should Buy the Xbox Series S?
The Series S has surprised me with its versatility. It’s ideal for:
- Game Pass subscribers who rarely buy individual games
- Gamers using 1080p or 1440p monitors
- Families looking for a second Xbox
- Those with limited space or who travel with their console
- Budget-conscious gamers who primarily play indie or older titles
I’ve actually started recommending the S more often to casual gamers – the value proposition is just too good to ignore!
Making Your Final Decision
After spending countless hours with both consoles, here’s my straightforward advice:
Buy the Series X if:
- You own or plan to buy a 4K TV
- You have the budget upfront
- You collect physical games
- You need maximum storage
- Future-proofing is important to you
Buy the Series S if:
- You’re primarily using Game Pass
- You game on a 1080p/1440p display
- Storage space isn’t a concern
- You’re comfortable with all-digital gaming
- Budget is your primary consideration
Conclusion
Look, both consoles are fantastic choices in 2025 – you really can’t go wrong either way. The Series X remains the premium choice for enthusiast gamers, while the Series S continues to surprise me with its value proposition. My final advice? Match the console to your gaming habits and display, not just your budget.
Have you made the jump to current-gen Xbox yet? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments below! And if you’re still on the fence, don’t hesitate to ask questions – I’m always happy to help fellow gamers make the right choice for their setup.