They've been a long time coming, but they're almost here. Microsoft has outlined plans to soon open preorders for Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, its two next-generation home consoles, headed to market November 10. The company kicks off purchases on September 22, 2020, split between the premium 4K-geared device, and its more affordable counterpart.
Microsoft confirmed our world-first reports on the Xbox Series X price and Xbox All Access information earlier today. The Xbox Series S starts at $299 in the U.S., also available at $25 per month via its Xbox All Access financing program. The Xbox Series X launches with a $499 retail price, included via Xbox All Access for $35 per month, too. U.S. preorders are expected to open via the Microsoft Store, with third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and GameStop expected to follow.
The Xbox Series X represents Microsoft's pinnacle headed into the next console generation, packing leading hardware specifications and furnished with the newest features. The device packs the latest CPU and GPU architectures from AMD, targeting 4K resolutions, with some titles already gunning for 120 frames-per-second. The company also swapped in a new custom solid-state drive (SSD) storage solution, designed to cut load times and streamline next-gen experiences.
Xbox Series S is a more affordable entry into next-gen, accompanying Xbox Series X, but scaled back to the core features. With the device capable of native 1440p resolutions at 120 FPS and 4K upscaling, its lower-tier GPU and RAM combination shaves down the price. The console also features half the onboard storage with a 512GB SSD and no disc drive, making this a digital-only console.
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S come as Microsoft looks to phase out the Xbox One family, embarking on a new generation of consoles, and future games to pair. The early indications look promising, with both consoles delivering leaps in graphical fidelity, cuts to load times, and previously inaccessible features like ray tracing and high refresh rate support. And even if Microsoft's previous in-house blockbuster, Halo Infinite, has fallen into 2021, many third parties have committed to experiences from the November launch.
Let us know whether you plan to buy Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S in the comments.
Xbox Series X/S
Main
- Xbox Series X: Everything we know
- Best games coming to Xbox Series X/S
- List of Xbox Series X specs
- What is the Xbox Series X release date?
- How much does Xbox Series X cost?
- Why you can't preorder Xbox Series X yet
- Best Xbox Series X Headsets
Matt Brown is Windows Central's Senior Games Editor, Xbox & PC, at Future. Following over seven years of professional consumer technology and gaming coverage, he’s focused on the world of Microsoft's gaming efforts. You can follow him on Twitter @mattjbrown.
