The Xbox Series X is one of two new consoles, and it draws impressive numbers. It resembles a subwoofer or two Borg cubes stacked on top of each other. It looks less adventurous than the unique PlayStation 5 design. The Xbox Series X looks like a small desktop computer, discreet and almost invisible in an entertainment center. Everything is very mature. Read this Xbox Series X Review.
The Microsoft Xbox Series X is the opposite of its predecessor, a console that turned out to be many things, none of which were dull, although many were outrageous. Microsoft discussed anything but video games in its Xbox One release in 2013. The console reflected these priorities.
Xbox One included a tour bag with technical gadgets. The originally mandatory Kinect device allows you to control menus and applications with hand and voice gestures. The instruction manual encouraged new owners to connect the cable box to the game console, and voila, the Xbox became a central multimedia hub.
A “direct” user interface can display MLB chart results from one application while browsing Netflix in another window. The new stuff went beyond the hardware itself and included projects like Microsoft’s SmartGlass app. It was a forgotten attempt at other screen integration with players playing on their tablets while enjoying Halo.
Xbox Series X vs. PS5
The battle between PS5 and Xbox Series X is tough. We have tested the PS5 and Xbox Series X, and we can rightly say that we are impressed with both systems. Both new consoles offer up to 8K resolutions, a high frame rate, powerful processors, and fast SSDs. But which of the two systems is the best slot machine, and which offers the best library?
Read on to find out how each system works in PS5 vs. Xbox Series X deal. And know that, as always, the “best” console is the one that supports the games you want to play.
Design
Whether you like the design of a console depends on your personal preferences. The system is strange; it is also difficult to change from vertical to horizontal configuration, and the standard version has an asymmetrical and ugly design. The front panel is sensitive to fingerprints. The “Power” and “Disc Eject” buttons cannot be separated. I rarely recommend taking a break from buying a console to wait for the finer redesign. However, it would help if you considered this with the PS5.
On the other hand, the Xbox Series X is still quite bulky but better handles the space. Instead of looking like an oversized router, the Xbox Series X is an elegant black box that looks like a small tower of computers, at least vertically.
In addition, it has a well-defined switch and pairing button to simplify wireless connections. The only advantage the PS5 has over the Xbox Series X is a USB-C port, which is a big problem, especially with more USB-C adapters. But while the Xbox Series X’s design is much more conservative, it’s much more meaningful overall.
Playing Style
Both systems ran the game in 4K at 60 frames per second, and neither of them seemed to have any significant difference in terms of smoothness in animation, lighting, etc. However, the pop-up structure seemed a little more noticeable on the Xbox Series X. Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition told a similar story, although there are some minor differences in lighting this time.
Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles offer Ray Tracing features. While the X-ray tracing of the Xbox series was a bit more extensive in Devil May Cry 5, providing contrast between light and shadow, especially in strange landscapes red and purple games. The Xbox X series also seemed slightly softer when I turned on performance mode at 120 frames per second.
However, it isn’t easy to evaluate the performance of these two games, as they are both designed for PS4 and Xbox One, rather than exclusively for PS5 and Xbox Series X. I can also talk about great games like Spider-Man: Miles Morales and Gears 5, but it is impossible to compare them directly. Both work very well, although the PS5 has slightly faster charging times.
Performance
Comparing the performance of PS5 and Xbox Series X is difficult right now. So I qualitatively compared two games on the two systems: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition. The first is a title in the open world that makes it easy to measure charging times as you travel fast from a distant point on the map to another. The latter is a fast and frantic action game where you immediately notice a decrease in frame rate.
First, Sony’s ambitious claims about PS5 charging times are not exaggerated. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla entered the game from the main menu less than a minute. The fast ride from one point to another took less than 10 seconds. While the Xbox Series X took longer to load the game (almost a minute), the fast travel time was the same.
Cloud Gaming
Cloud games are not a big deal for PS5 or Xbox Series X, as you can download games and play them naturally on both platforms. However, as cloud gaming grows over the next few years, it’s good to know where all the companies are at the beginning of this generation of consoles. PS5 has PlayStation Now, which lets you stream a wide range of PS3 and PS4 games to PS5 or PC. You can also download specific PS4 titles. Unfortunately, it costs at least $8 per month and does not work on mobile platforms.
As described above, the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs $15 per month and lets you stream games to Android. However, you still need to download the titles to a console or computer. So far, neither Sony nor Microsoft’s cloud service has been completed. The Xbox Series X is a little better because it offers a mobile option, while the PS5 is a little better because it offers a streaming option for non-gaming computers. It looks like a tie.
Games
PS5 and Xbox Series X have fundamentally different approaches to gaming libraries. Xbox Series X assumes that you are playing the same game that you skipped on Xbox One and that you want all your favorites to work well across the board.
PS5, on the other hand, has released several exclusive titles along with the new console, although most are also available on PS4, to be honest. PS5 has the most exciting game selection. In terms of exclusive titles, the PS5 started with Spider-Man: Miles Marvels, Demons Souls, Sackboy: A Big Adventure, and the surprisingly charming Astro arcade.
Xbox Series X games include fan favorites like Gears 5, Ori, Will of the Wisps, and Forza Horizon 4. While the Xbox Series X changes are impressive, not all of these games are new and available on Xbox One, PC, or both.
Both consoles are well-equipped with third-party titles such as Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Borderlands 3, Fortnite and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, etc. In addition, they both got Cyberpunk 2077, Madden 21, and Destiny 2 late last year. Both systems also have good backward compatibility features, although its section is below.
Backward Compatibility
Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X have good backward compatibility features. However, there is no denying that Xbox continues to return to Microsoft’s library. Xbox Series X is not only compatible with almost all Xbox One games. It is also compatible with many original Xbox 360 and Xbox games. However, it does not include all of Microsoft’s hits on backward compatible games.
The PS5 can play almost any PS4 game on the market, but compatibility does not go beyond that if you have PlayStation Now streaming service for PS3 games. However, it’s not the same as playing games you already have on a console.
Xbox Series X vs. Xbox One S
The Xbox Series X covers all the physical media and digital distribution basics. It has an optical drive that supports Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs and a 1 TB SSD. In addition, there is plenty of storage space and the ability to play physical versions of games.
Xbox Series S is a fully digital console without an optical drive. It means that Blu-ray discs or the physical version of the games cannot be played. It also has half the storage space with a 512 GB SSD. That’s why it is also responsible for the much lower price.
Xbox X Series Specs
- Important Exclusive: Halo Infinite, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Forza Motorsport 8, Decay State 3
- Compatibility: With previous versions, Pick Xbox 360 and original Xbox games / All Xbox One games
- CPU: 8 GHz 8-core AMD Zen 2 processor
- GPU: 12.0 Teraflop AMD RDNA 2
- Memory: 16 GB GDDR6 RAM
- Resolution: Up to 8K
- Frame Rate: Up to 120 frames per second frame rate
Shorter Charging Times
The Xbox Series X is super-fast, thanks to the NVMe SSD. We saw that the Xbox Series X reduces the game’s loading time by ten seconds compared to how it worked on the Xbox One S. The Xbox Series X loaded faster and faster. In some cases, in a few seconds, and in others almost half. To give you an idea of how fast these charging times are, we have set the charging time for a game by clicking the Next button on the menu screen for the same game on Xbox One S and Xbox Series X.
While some titles have higher loading speeds than others, it’s worth saving a few seconds. The titles like Ori and Blind Forest load quickly than we expected. The difference is less noticeable, but SSD performance on titles like Sea of Thieves shines. We have seen Sea of Thieves’ charging time, which ran from 100 seconds to only 35.
We discovered that the few charging screens presented to us lasted seconds with the next generation of titles. The speed advantage has been proven by Yakuza: as a fast kite, which takes the form of a taxi ride. When we agreed on the trip, it took us about 4.7 seconds to quickly get to another neighborhood. Nevertheless, it was an improvement over our experience on Xbox One.
Storage
The Xbox Series X 1TB Custom NVMe SSD offers 802 GB of usable storage, with 198 GB reserved for system files and the Xbox operating system. We downloaded 18 games in different sizes before using the console’s expandable memory. It’s a little tight, but we recommend that you purchase the Seagate Storage Expansion Card.
Suppose you want to take advantage of features like Quick Resume and countless titles available through the Xbox Game Pass. It is important to note that genuine next-generation titles will likely consume more storage space once the changes have been implemented.
We were able to test Seagate’s 1 TB expansion card for the Xbox X series with our console. It’s not cheap at $ 219.99 / £ 219.99 / AU $ 359, but we have it. We thought it was easy to use when we found it. We inserted the card on the back of the Xbox, and it ran out of storage for extra terabytes opened. When the console detects that it is approaching the storage capacity, it will ask you if you want to install it on the card and offer you fairly deleting games is an easy way to free up space.
If the expansion card is a bit expensive, you can always connect a hard drive or SSD from an external device using the console’s USB 3.1 port. However, it should be noted that these can only play Xbox One and backward compatible games. You can store your Xbox Series X games on your external hard drive or SSD, but only an NVMe SSD can play Xbox Series X-optimized titles.
Good Thing About Xbox Series X Memory
The good thing about Xbox Series X memory is that when you install (or uninstall) games, you can select specific parts of the games you want to install instead of the full version. So, for example, you can download Doom Eternal multiplayer mode, but not the promotion, or vice versa. We are happy to see how many games will support this type of installation feature in the future, as it is a welcome feature and should help with memory management.
On the side, the Xbox Series X controller feels familiar but slightly different. Improved touch structures and a refined geometry for a more ergonomic and comfortable gaming experience. At first glance, the Xbox Series X controller does not seem like a particularly drastic change from its predecessor. It has a familiar shape, and buttons and triggers are designed conventionally. However, a closer analysis shows the subtle variations that Microsoft has introduced.
First of all, the outside of the gamepad now has a matte surface. That is similar to the design of the console. Although it looks nice, it has its drawbacks: The Black Hand control that comes with the console detects scratches and scuffs you feel, and given the number of practical weather regulators it exposes to, it is tough to keep the look tip-top condition for years.
However, other controller color options are available, and some may be less likely to wear. However, there is a point of discussion, and in general, we have found that the Xbox Series X control looks and feels like a premium control. In addition, the trigger, handle, and bumper of the newly built cushion now have a tactile framework, making the control unit feel much safer in our hands.
Ports
However, the design of the control unit has not changed. The 3.5mm audio jack and expansion port are at the bottom. The USB charging port and pairing button are at the top, and the Xbox screen, menu, and buttons are at the bottom frontal.
In addition to cosmetic changes, the Xbox Series X control also offers feature enhancements. We found that the controller responds better, possibly due to the lower latency that Microsoft experiences. It was straightforward when it connected the game controller wirelessly to various devices, including Xbox One, Bluetooth, an iPhone 11, and a Mac.
AA batteries power the X-Series controller. But if you want to avoid the hassle of changing or recharging batteries all the time, you can invest in a Play and Charge set (a rechargeable battery that you can use to charge the controller while playing or between sessions) or connect it.
- Quick recovery is transparent.
- Excellent compatibility with previous versions of games and accessories
- Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS
- There are more entertainment apps than ever before
- Innovative Delivery makes it easy to switch between consoles
- The Xbox app (beta) makes it easy to manage and access your console on the go
Xbox Series X offers several features and significantly improves the quality of life. For example, by integrating a Blu-Ray player and accessing entertainment applications, the console can use as a home entertainment system at the same time.
Xbox Series X Controller
Xbox Wireless Controller is the primary game controller for Xbox One and Xbox Series X / S game consoles. It is also released for use on Windows computers and is compatible with other operating systems, like macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
The controller retains the overall design of the Xbox 360 controller. In addition, the controller has several design changes, such as a revised shape, redesigned analog sticks, side buttons, and triggers. As well as new vibration motors in the triggers to enable haptic feedback.
Three revisions have been made with various changes in the control unit’s design and functionality. Microsoft also markets the Elite Wireless Controller. A premium version for professional gamers includes replaceable parts and programming features.
In turn, each of the above variants has been offered in different color choices, some of which have patterns associated with specific games. In addition, both Xbox Series X and Series S introduced an updated version of the controller, whose shape and ergonomics were further improved.
Size
Although the control unit is the same size as its predecessor, the bumper and trigger have been rounded and lowered a few millimeters, making the control less bulky. The old Xbox One controls felt pretty bad if you’re someone with small hands, but this simple change improves comfort in subtle yet noticeable ways. Perhaps the most notable changes to the controller are adding the Del button and the hybrid D-Pad.
The share button works as a user-friendly slider to take screenshots of your game. One-click captures a snapshot while holding down the button for a long time to record a standard 15-second video. It’s much easier than on Xbox One, where you have to press the start button and then X or Y, but we found it a bit annoying to take a quick screenshot; your experience may vary depending on the size of your hands.
The Hybrid D-Pad, on the other hand, is intended to offer a happy medium between the classic D-Pad on the Xbox One controller and the interchangeable, disc-shaped, faceted D-pad on the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller. It is a type of traditional D-pad that is placed on a disc. Again, this is a minor but welcome change meant to give more control and influence over the D-pad and generally make you feel more comfortable.
Release Date
Xbox Series X will be launched at participating retailers worldwide on November 10, 2020. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X is a video game console for personal use.
Internally, Microsoft was pleased with the Xbox One’s two-console approach and planned a similar strategy for the fourth-generation Xbox, with the goal that the advanced model at least doubled the Xbox One X.
The High End -Model was first teased as “Project Scarlett” at E3 2019, while the name and design as Xbox Series X were presented at The Game Awards at the end of December. In September 2020, Microsoft introduced the lower model as the Xbox Series S.
I hope this Xbox Series X Review will help you out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s included with Xbox Series X?
Xbox Series X Console comes with the following accessories:
- Xbox Series X Controller
- A power Cable
- High-Speed HDMI Cable
- Two AA batteries
Additionally, you can purchase the game pass separately. You can also increase your console’s storage with a Seagate Storage Expansion Card.
Does the Xbox Series X come with a headset?
Xbox Series X doesn’t come with a Headset. Anyone buys the console, and they had to purchase the Headset separately.