The Xbox Series S has always been an unusual console. When it first launched alongside the beefier Series X back in 2020, the idea of a cheaper, less powerful next-gen Xbox seemed odd. Traditionally, those ‘Slim’ variants come years into a console generation, not at launch. But the little white box won over gamers with its smart compromises, delivering a legit next-gen experience at just $300.
Now, in 2023, we’ve got an updated Xbox Series S—the same internals but with a slick new black colour scheme and double the storage, now with 1TB for all your gaming needs. Having spent some quality time with this new model, I’m impressed. It is interesting to see a machine balancing features, power, performance and price while never making it feel like a last-generation offering. Sure, it’s not as powerful as the Xbox Series X. But for the budget-minded gamer, the Xbox Series S has always punched above its weight class. And with some intelligent tweaks like the storage boost, Microsoft continues to refine the formula.
On the outside, the 1TB Xbox Series S looks nearly identical to the original—the same compact box shape now, just with a sleek matte black makeover. Microsoft kept the dimensions exactly the same, too, at just 4.25 inches wide, 10.8 inches deep, and 1.9 inches tall. So it still has that cute little next-gen console vibe compared to the hulking Xbox Series X, but that new colour does help it stand out next to its standard white variant.
“When it first launched alongside the beefier Series X back in 2020, the idea of a cheaper, less powerful next-gen Xbox seemed odd.”
Once you unbox your new gaming machine, setting up the Xbox Series S is a quick and straightforward process, especially since it’s an all-digital console. First, plug the HDMI cable into the back of the console and connect it to your TV or monitor. Make sure your display is powered on and switched to the correct input. Next, insert the batteries into the wireless controller and pair it by pressing the sync button.
With everything connected, power on the Xbox Series S and the initial setup will begin. You’ll choose your language preferences, connect to WiFi, login with or create your Xbox profile, and agree to Microsoft’s terms of service. The console will download the latest system update, which takes just a few minutes. Thanks to the ability to use the Xbox app for much of the process, I found I was up and running in at most 10 minutes, making it ideal for someone who just can’t wait to dive into some gaming fun.
Once the update is installed, you can start downloading games you already own, purchase new ones from the online shop or access Xbox Game Pass. You can customize your preferences like dark mode, notifications, and power settings in the Xbox settings menu. Within 10-15 minutes, you can be signed in and start your first game on the 1TB Xbox Series S. It’s designed to get you into the action as quickly as possible, and I commend Microsoft for making the process as painless as possible.
The Xbox Series S 1TB packs some impressive next-gen power into its tiny frame, but at its core, it is nearly identical to the other Xbox Series S consoles. It’s powered by a custom AMD Zen 2 CPU with 8 cores clocked at 3.6GHz, along with a custom RDNA 2 GPU that delivers 4 teraflops of performance. You get 10GB of speedy GDDR6 RAM, with 8GB dedicated to games and 2GB for the system. It can hit up to 1440p resolution and 120fps frame rates when optimized for Xbox Series S. All the ports are in the same place, too—HDMI out, USB-A, power, Ethernet, and storage expansion in the back.
“With its trimmed-down specs, the Xbox Series S is ideal for budget-minded gamers who want next-gen performance without breaking the bank.”
Beyond the new colour, that 1TB SSD is the star of the show here. Double the storage of the original 512GB model means you can keep a lot more games installed at once. With games getting bigger every day, 512GB is simply not enough anymore, and some games take up a large percentage of that, especially if you want to play Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 with its 100GB+ install size. I will be honest, though: even with 1TB of storage, you may need to consider an Xbox Expansion card, especially if you don’t want to be uninstalling games constantly.
The rest of the cooling system and internal layout seem to be about the same, which makes sense since the core specs are unchanged. Microsoft didn’t mess with success too much on the hardware design front. This feels more like a subtle refresh than a brand-new console. But that black colour scheme looks slick, and the storage boost is very welcome.
When it comes to real-world gaming performance, the 1TB Xbox Series S delivers the same fast and smooth experience as the original 512GB model. In benchmarks, the console still hits its 1440p resolution target at 60fps or more in optimized games like Forza Horizon 5. Load times are lightning fast thanks to the fast SSD, with massive open-world games booting up in under 10 seconds. You won’t get the top-of-the-range features you’d find on an Xbox Series X, but you’ll still get a competent machine that, provided you’re happy with 1440P over 4K, will deliver excellent results in most games.
Gameplay is snappy and responsive across various genres like shooters, racers, and action RPGs. The CPU and GPU combo and features like Auto HDR and 120fps support provide a legitimate next-gen experience. Will you hit the performance heights of an Xbox Series X or high-end gaming PC? Of course not. But the Xbox Series S holds its own, offering smooth frame rates and advanced graphics at its 1440p sweet spot.
The 1TB model’s added storage gives it more room to flex its muscles. You can install more games that take advantage of the Velocity architecture and showcase what this little console can do. Between the speedy SSD, Zen 2/RDNA 2 chips, and Xbox platform features like Quick Resume, the Xbox Series S delivers speed and power beyond its size and makes it one of the best values you can find in gaming.
“If you go in understanding its limits compared to premium consoles, the Xbox Series S 1TB is easy to recommend for the price—a fast, fun, no-frills next-gen system at a very appealing price point.”
Backwards compatibility with thousands of Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games is fully present, as it is all on all Xbox Series and Xbox One consoles. This allows you to bring forward your existing game library to the new console. Streaming media apps like Netflix and Disney+ can also display content in 4K, despite the 1440p gaming resolution cap. Honestly, Microsoft has crafted a competent gaming machine that, while it can feel limited at times, brings with it a lot of features and a massive library waiting to be explored.
Xbox platform features like cross-buy, cross-save, and Xbox Cloud Gaming provide a unified experience across Xbox consoles and PCs. The 1TB model doesn’t add any radically new gaming features. But the expanded storage allows you to store more Quick Resume titles and Xbox One X-enhanced games that take full advantage of the Velocity engine.
The Xbox Series S 1TB retains the same $299 starting price as the original 512GB model. Considering you’re getting double the storage, the 1TB variant provides even better value. At just $50 more than the base 500GB Xbox One S, it’s an affordable entry point into the current console generation.
With its trimmed-down specs, the Xbox Series S is ideal for budget-minded gamers who want next-gen performance without breaking the bank. The 1TB model now lets you store more of the gorgeous Xbox first-party titles and optimized third-party games that show off the Series S hardware. It’s also a smart choice for Xbox Game Pass subscribers. The 1TB drive lets you install more games from the Netflix-style library, while the Series S power makes them look and run better than on Xbox One. Casual gamers who don’t need 4K or physical media will appreciate the compact, all-digital design too.
While not as powerful as the $500 Series X, the 1TB Xbox Series S still delivers legitimate next-gen gaming for under $300. With an Xbox Game Pass trial included, it’s an unbeatable value proposition. For parents buying their kid’s first console, dorm room gaming, or a secondary Xbox, the Series S 1TB hits a sweet spot between price, performance and features.
The Xbox Series S 1TB retains a few limitations carried over from the original 512GB model. The biggest is that it still maxes out at 1440p resolution for gaming, whereas the pricier Series X can do full 4K. So, graphical fidelity is a step below its sibling console. The 1TB of speedy SSD storage fills up faster than you’d think, too, especially with massive 100GB+ games becoming the norm.
Sure, it’s not a powerhouse like the Xbox Series X. But for budget-minded gamers or those new to Xbox, the 1TB S is arguably a better value at just $299. This little box punches above its weight class, providing a legitimate next-gen experience for the cost of an Xbox One S.
The Xbox Series S 1TB doesn’t reinvent the wheel or offer a machine that competes with the Xbox Series X—a console I personally use daily. But with smart enhancements like the storage boost, it remains the most affordable entry point to current-gen gaming. If you go in understanding its limits compared to premium consoles, the Xbox Series S 1TB is easy to recommend for the price—a fast, fun, no-frills next-gen system at a very appealing price point.
