Alright ladies, let’s dive into the new Xbox consoles coming out later this year. To say that the Xbox series X/S is a different type of beast to deal with as opposed to the PS5 is a bit of an understatement. I know the die-hards have been chomping at the bit, so let’s get into it!!!
The console:
The Xbox Series consists of 2 versions: the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S. They are as much alike as they are vastly different. Let’s take a look:
| Xbox Series X | Xbox Series S | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Custom AMD Zen 2, 8-core 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz with SMT) | Custom AMD Zen 2, 8-core 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz with SMT) |
| GPU | Custom RDNA 2, 12.15 TFLOP, 52 CU at 1.825 GH | Custom RDNA 2, 4 TFLOP, 20 CU at 1.565 GHz |
| RAM | 16 GB GDDR6 320-bit | 10 GB GDDR6 |
| Storage | 1 TB PCie Gen 4 NVME SSD | 512 GB PCie Gen 4 NVME SSD |
| I/O Throughput | 2.4 GB/s (raw), 4.8 GB/s (compressed) | 2.4 GB/s (raw), 4.8 GB/s (compressed) |
| External Storage | 1 TB expansion card, USB HDD support | 1 TB expansion card, USB HDD support |
| Physical Media | 4K UHD Blu-ray drive | Digital Only |
| Output Resolution | 4K at 60 fps | 1440p at 60 fps (with upscaling) |
| Color | Black | White |
| Backwards Compatibility | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $499 or $34.99/month for 24 months | $299 or $24.99/month for 24 months |
Now, just looking at the specs, the Series X is the faster, better console with a physical disc drive as well as the ability to play games digitally, but comes at a cost of an extra $200.
Release Dates:
Both versions will be released on 11/10/2020, unlike the roll out for the PlayStation 5.
What’s going on with those prices?
Let’s breakdown what is up with the prices for both versions of the Xbox Series:
Why is there an option to pay a monthly fee?
This is a new approach for pricing. You can pay a monthly fee that will include the system, controller, an Ultra-Highspeed HDMI cable, and a subscription to Xbox All Access. I see some pro and cons to this:
PROS:
- Don’t have to pay $499 or $299 upfront, which is very economical for parents looking for Christmas gifts.
- Xbox All Access is included in the monthly fee, which gives you Xbox Live Ultimate and access to new games Day 1.
CONS:
- To qualify for the monthly payment options, you have to be approved for Citizens One Line of Credit with 0% APR and has to be for a 24-month term.
- The overall cost of both systems, while using this method for 24 months is $839.76 and $599.76, respectively
- What are the consequences of missing a payment……..it’s unknown. I have not been able to find out what happens, but more than likely it would be a hit against your credit report since you ARE financing the console (pure speculation).
Games:
When it comes to games, it looks pretty good. Here are some of the games announced:
- Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga (exclusive) – no release date
- Cyberpunk 2077
- Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
- Fable (exclusive) – no release date
It’s kinda slim pickings for now, but there will probably be more as we get closer to launch date.
Final Thoughts:
I’m gonna pick up the Series X, but not Day 1. I am a HUGE Fable fan and the backwards compatibility makes for a good buy, but I’ll happily save up my money to get the system outright rather than do the finance plan. I can go ahead and pay for Xbox Live separately until the All Access becomes worth the value.
Let me know what you think by leaving a comment!
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