Even though we knew the raw hardware specs of the Xbox One X going into E3 2017, the official reveal provided the whole picture. The Xbox One X isn't a new generation console, though. Instead, it's more of a premium model in the existing lineup. The new console will work with existing games and accessories, and all forthcoming games will work just fine on the Xbox One, Xbox One S and Xbox One X.
So what are the most significant difference from a tech-spec perspective? Let's break it all down.
Xbox One X vs. Xbox One S technical specifications
| Category | Xbox One X | Xbox One S |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | eight core CPU at 2.3GHz | eight core custom AMD CPU at 1.75GHz |
| Storage | 1TB (more options could be announced) | 500GB, 1TB or 2TB launch edition |
| Memory | 12GB of GDDR5 RAM at 6.8GHz with 326 GB/s bandwidth | 8GB DDR3 RAM |
| Graphics | Six teraflop GPU at 1,172 MHz, 40 compute units | Custom Radeon GPU with 1.23 teraflop |
| Ports | HDMI-in; HDMI-out; one front-facing USB 3.0 ; two rear-facing USB 3.0; IR receiver/blaster; SPDIF digital audio; Ethernet | HDMI-in; HDMI-out; one front-facing USB 3.0 ; two rear-facing USB 3.0; IR receiver/blaster; SPDIF digital audio; Ethernet |
| Optical drive | 4K UHD Blu Ray | 4K UHD Blu Ray |
| Price | $499 | From $249 |
So, what does that mean?
The Xbox One X is twice the price of the Xbox One S, and it's also smaller and 40 percent more powerful than any other console on the market today.
The hardware is a great deal more advanced, with the older AMD hardware in the Xbox One S replaced by newer, more efficient and powerful hardware from the same manufacturer. The CPU in the Xbox One X is made using a 16nm process and has a unique liquid cooling system that manages temperature on a system and component level.
Xbox One X is smaller and a WHOLE lot more powerful.
There are some similarities, too, including the 4K UHD Blu-ray player on both. The Xbox One S remains the best value 4K UHD Blu-ray player on the market today, undercutting most dedicated players. Both consoles have the same connectivity options, but importantly, the Xbox One X also has an internal power supply, too. (The days of the brick really are gone. Hallelujah.)
There are differences and similarities in the games, too. All Xbox One games will work on both consoles, but while the Xbox One S supports HDR, the Xbox One X adds 4K resolution and more detailed textures. Indeed, games that are "Xbox One X enhanced" truly will look more spectacular on the newer console. It's not just for 4K folks, either, as even at 1080p these same games will look better than ever before.
That said, there's a $250 price difference between the two. If playing Forza Motorsport 7 at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second (FPS) sounds exciting, the Xbox One X may be worth the added cost. But at half the price, the Xbox One S is now a tremendous entry point into the Xbox ecosystem.
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