Xbox Series S can run Gears 5 multiplayer at 120 FPS, loads The Outer Worlds in 12 seconds

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Next-gen performance in a much smaller box.

Xbox Series S
Xbox Series S (Image credit: Microsoft)

What you need to know

  • The Xbox Series S was recently announced following a couple of major leaks.
  • Today, Microsoft detailed the technical specifications for the console, with the same CPU as the Xbox Series X.
  • We also got to see Gears 5 and The Outer Worlds running on Xbox Series S at higher framerates and loading faster, respectively.

After months and months of speculation, the Xbox Series S was finally announced following a couple of leaks. The console is a digital-only system with a retail price of $299. In order to hit that price, it doesn't quite have the beefy graphical specs of the Xbox Series X. It does feature the same SSD tech and the same 8-core CPU just clocked at 3.4Ghz with SMT, or 3.6Ghz without it, which you should keep in mind when trying to figure out which console is right for you.

You can take a look at the video below for a deep dive into how the system works via Jason Ronald, Director of Program Management at Microsoft. The video shows Gears 5 multiplayer running on Xbox Series S at 120 FPS, as well as The Outer Worlds loading in 12 seconds on Xbox Series S compared to 53 seconds on Xbox One S.

The Xbox Series S is set to release on November 10 alongside the Xbox Series X.

Xbox Series X/S

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Samuel Tolbert
Samuel Tolbert

Samuel Tolbert is a freelance writer covering gaming news, previews, reviews, interviews and different aspects of the gaming industry, specifically focusing on Xbox and PC gaming on Windows Central. You can find him on Twitter @SamuelTolbert.
8 Comments
  • I've been a game pass subscriber almost since the beginning and the Series S is starting to make so much sense. I was on the fence about getting a Series X because Halo got delayed. $500 seems like a lot without a marquee game there. But $300 with access to next-gen titles, next-gen graphical features, improved older titles, EA games (not a big EA gamer but it's a perk), 1440p, up to 120FPS, and considerably more power than my One X, all that seems like a solid deal. Most importantly, the first crop of next-gen titles (usually) aren't a significant leap over the previous gen. It takes a year or two before the gap really shows. I could chill with a XSS and then upgrade to a XSX when the time is right. All that said, I'm still leaning towards a XSX.
  • I'm gonna spring for the X. Assuming my finances improve.
  • I heard Xbox All Access, lets you pay for the console in installments, and it gives you 24 moths to pay it off. So if that is the case i'll be getting the X on day one.
  • Also don't forget that you can take your games anywhere with you thanks to xCloud, that is a great perk.
  • outer worlds? how about how fast Witcher 3 loads
  • The Outer Worlds was a good game to test it on as it had some significant load times. TW3 should be around the same from what I remember.
  • I wonder if there will be a 4K/60 option for Gears 5 on the S, or if MS won't allow it.
  • Any idea of how Assassin's Creed Valhalla will run on the Series S? 1440p 60fps?