What are the ports on the Xbox Series X?

Official Xbox Series X ports

Microsoft recently detailed the Xbox Series X retail version in full, giving us a look at the full list of ports we can expect when the console launches later in 2020.

• 3x USB-A ports: Two in the back, one in the front. These are for USB accessories primarily, including headsets, controller recharge docks and cables, USB storage expansion drives, keyboards and mice, and so on.
• HDMI-out (2.1): This connects your Xbox Series X to your TV. The 2.1 interface adds ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), which ensures that your TV automatically switches to its "game mode" setting for lowest latency gaming possible. It also includes VRR (Variable Refresh Rates), which makes games like smoother in motion. Sadly, the HDMI-in pass-through available on the Xbox One S and X for TV integration is gone.
• Ethernet: This connects your Xbox Series X to your router via a Cat5 cable; it will also have Wi-Fi, of course.
• Power: There's a figure-8 power socket as well. We have confirmed that the Xbox Series X will have an internal power supply too, like the Xbox One X and Xbox One S.
• SSD expansion: There's an additional rectangular slot that was initially thought to be some sort of port for proprietary debugging tools, but it's now revealed to be an SSD expansion storage card slot, allowing you to expand your Xbox Series X's base memory.
• Kensington lock: Next to the sticker, there's a small rectangle with a padlock icon. This is a Kensington lock port that allows you to tie hardware down to a table or something of that nature.

What, no SPDIF?

Owing to a previous leak, we saw some ports on the prototype units of the Xbox Series X. That leak included SPDIF optical for some higher-end audio devices, like the Astro A50 headset. Astro has stated that its headsets are planned to work on the Xbox Series X, but hasn't yet described how they will work. Either Microsoft is planning some sort of HDMI adapter that will offer a SPDIF port as an optional extra, or Astro and others will have to move to a USB-interface for their devices instead.

If you can't wait for the Xbox Series X, there are a lot of options for picking up an Xbox One console today, and every game and accessory you pick up should carry forward to the next-gen console too.