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Microsoft Xbox Series S
85
Engadget Review
The Xbox Series S is undoubtedly the most adorable console of the next generation, but its tiny size comes at a cost. It can’t play games in 4K, doesn’t have a disc drive and has just 362GB of usable storage, unless you buy a pricey expansion card. Quick resume, faster loading times and improved framerates make this a solid next-gen console, but with slightly less staying power than the Series X.
It's cute, but storage space is going to be a real issue.
Jessica CondittNovember 05, 2020
Pros
- Compact design
- Improved game performance
- Huge backward-compatible library
Cons
- No 4K gameplay
- Limited storage capacity
- Lower-quality backward-compatible games
Microsoft
Xbox Series S
Engadget
85
Critics
5 reviews74
AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE
Users - Not yet scored
N/A
AVERAGE USER SCORE
View All Critic & User Reviews
Microsoft Xbox Series S
- Critic Reviews (5)
- 74AVERAGE CRITIC SCORE5 ReviewsPocket-Lint80Next-gen liteThe smallest and cheapest entry into next-gen gaming is also the most truncated - in resolution, a few features and, most notable, storage size. However, it is also a great jumping on point for those who aren't as hardcore as others, yet still want a very capable device. The Xbox Series S is fun, friendly and a significant upgrade on the Xbox One - although you might need to put some cash aside for an external hard drive or two.Wired UK70A cool little console with a big identity crisisThe Xbox Series S is a great bit of kit, and it deserves praise as a lower priced entry point to the next gen. Microsoft's account management is also so good now that anyone who starts with Series S and later upgrades to Series X – or waits for what feels like an inevitable mid-generation hardware revision – will have the better versions of any games they buy here waiting for them when they do. Yet in and of itself, it feels like merely a good enough option, a half step into the next gen rather than a real entry point.IGN70The Game Pass machineThe Xbox Series S has its place and could shine as a second console, but it's hard to recommend as your primary gaming platform due to its 1440p resolution and claustrophobic storage capacity.TechRadar70The Xbox Series S is a next-generation console with a couple of caveatsThe Xbox Series S is a great entry point into next-gen gaming for those who have no qualms about buying games digitally, or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, without the sizable financial outlay required to own a full-blown next-gen console. However, it has significantly less storage, prioritises 1440p resolution for gaming and does without the 4K HD Blu-Ray drive of the Series X.The Verge80SMALL CONSOLE, BIG POTENTIALThe Xbox Series S is full of unknowns right now. The use case for this console isn’t as obvious as some might think. It’s not necessarily the best budget option, thanks to the storage situation. Yet, it looks ideal for a bedroom TV, for Xbox Game Pass, or as a Fortnite console. If you can deal with the storage and you’re only playing on a 1080p TV, then this should make Xbox games shine like never before. I’m just not sure what else it will deliver for the next generation of games we’re all excited about.
Key Specs
GAME FORMAT
Downloadable
CONTROLLER TYPE
Wireless
VIDEO OUTPUTS
HDMI
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