Dubbed “the most powerful gaming console,” Xbox One X is now official and will further perpetuate the Xbox pedigree. All three models will play the same library of Xbox One games. However, the newer models may play those games with more clarity and smoother framerates. If you are in the market for a top-end gaming console, you might want to consider buying one of the Xbox One models. Here’s what you need to know about the Xbox One family of consoles.
Xbox One
The original Xbox One was released in 2013, just a week after PlayStation 4. Measuring 333mm x 276mm x 78mm and with a weight of 3.9kgs, the Xbox One is a bit chunky and the largest of them all. However, if the size doesn’t put you off, the Xbox One is $70 cheaper than its successor. This console is the only one in the Xbox One family that comes bundled with Kinect. The Kinect enables motion and voice control out of the box. It can play the entire Xbox One games library including exclusives such as Gears of War 4, Halo 5, and third-party blockbusters such as Overwatch. Xbox One can also play hundreds of Xbox 360 games, thanks to its backward compatibility. Regarding entertainment, the Xbox One lacks the HDR and 4K capabilities found in the recent models. However, if you are still rocking with a 1080p screen, this is the best console for you. You will still be able to use your console to play Blu-ray disks, as well as have access to streaming apps such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO and more.
Xbox One S
The upgraded version of the Original Xbox One, the Xbox One S was released in August 2016. Microsoft did a stellar job at slicing the size and repacking the new console into a far more compact and attractive chassis that is nearly 40% smaller than its predecessor. But size and looks are not the only improvements, as Microsoft also did some serious iterations to the software, making Xbox One S one of the most powerful consoles on the market today. On another front, the One S now features a built-in IR blaster and power supply. The built-in IR blaster allows the console to easily communicate with your TV and cable box. Microsoft has also included a stand for propping the system up so it can stand vertically. This combination of flexibility and compactness makes Xbox One a much better fit for a living room.
Speaking of performance, this is one area where the Xbox One S doesn’t compromise. This console can stream 4K content from apps such as Netflix as well as play Ultra-HD Blu-rays. The One S gained the HDR playback support which is absent in its predecessor, Xbox One. However, only videos can play in native 4K; games are upscaled. Here are the tech specs:
Integrated AMD graphics clocked at 914MHZ 1.75 GHz 8-Core “Jaguar” CPU 8 GB DDR3 HDR and 4K support
Though the games won’t actually be playing in native 4K, they will look better and smoother than they would on Xbox One.
Xbox One X
Microsoft officially announced the would-be “most powerful gaming console” at E3, and the recently released hardware specs will make you inclined to agree. Formerly known as “Project Scorpio” during the development phase, the Xbox One X will be released on November 7, 2017. The One X features some beefy specs that Microsoft promised will deliver breathtaking visuals, faster load times and smoother frame rates. The One X will be the ultimate gaming machine. It packs 12 GB of DDR5 memory and an insane 6 Teraflop GPU (four times more powerful than the 1.3 Teraflops of the original Xbox One). Here is the interesting part: Not only can it render native 4K UHD gaming (something that no other console currently can do), but it can also play games in HDR and higher frame rates, up to 60fps. While Xbox One S only upscales games to 4k, the One X is capable of playing them at native 4K resolution. Here are the tech specs of the Xbox One X.
AMD graphics with 6 teraflops GPU 12 GB GDDR5 2.3 GHz 8-Core AMD custom “Jaguar” CPU HDR and 4K support
Currently there are over thirty games that will receive free 4K updates, courtesy of the Xbox One X enhance program.
Conclusion
Now that you have some good knowledge about the Xbox One family of consoles, it should be easier to chose the right one for you. We hope the information provided will help you make a more informed buying decision. You might also want to check out our article on how to use an external hard drive with Xbox One. Feel free to comment and share.
