Key Takeaways
- The Xbox Series S offers a budget-friendly option by strategically sacrificing processing power and storage.
- The PlayStation 5 is a strong competitor, but the Series S offers a compelling price advantage, especially for offline gamers.
- Compare it to the Xbox Series S and consider a handheld gaming PC with its portability, low price, and diverse game catalog.
Consoles used to be simpler — the Super Nintendo, for example, could only be bought in one configuration unless you bought it in a bundle of some kind. But as systems became more powerful, they became more expensive, and one way to keep the price down was to offer less powerful versions; Microsoft’s Xbox Series S is one of the most recent examples of this.
Is it worth buying a Series S in 2024? It’s a dilemma created not just by the Xbox Series X, but by the rise of alternative devices and the demands of modern gaming.
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What is Xbox Series S?
A quick introduction
Microsoft/Pocket-lint
The Series S is identical to the Series X in most ways. It can run all of the same games and services, but it’s made some strategic sacrifices to keep the price down. Among other things, it uses less powerful processor technology, rated at 4 teraflops instead of 12, and games are limited to 1440p resolution instead of 4K to keep frame rates high.
Storage is also lacking: You can choose between a 512GB or 1TB internal SSD, whereas the Series X starts at 1TB and has a 2TB option. There’s also no disc drive, so the Series S can’t play physical copies of Blu-ray or DVD games or movies; any games you buy have to be downloaded from Microsoft.
The console’s only design win is its size: it’s much more compact than the Series X, making it easy to stow in an entertainment center or suitcase. You can buy (or build) an all-in-one case that includes a smaller display, but it’s probably not the best option for gaming in an economy-class airplane seat.
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Primary threat: PlayStation 5
Why buy an Xbox in the first place?
Simply put, Sony’s PlayStation 5 has surpassed both the Series S and X in popularity, driven by more popular exclusive games like Spider-Man 2 and God of War: Ragnarok, not to mention the momentum created by the success of the PS4. If you’re upgrading from a PS4, it makes sense to buy a system that lets you carry over your existing game library.
Even if you don’t have an old library or aren’t interested in exclusive titles, PS5 sales numbers suggest that many of your friends are on the platform. Some games naturally support cross-platform multiplayer, but you may need to buy a PS5 to be able to join your friends on a regular basis.
The Series S certainly has a big price advantage. Prices start at $300, while a discless PS5 is at least $450. With the money saved, you can easily buy games and extra controllers. In fact, if you mostly play offline, there may not be much reason to buy a PlayStation. Especially since Xbox Game Pass is considered to offer a better subscription catalog than PlayStation Plus. If you don’t care about playing AAA games at launch, Game Pass can actually save you money over buying every new title you’re interested in.
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Should I buy the Xbox Series X?
The big issue here is storage. The base Series S’s 512GB may technically be enough for the very casual gamer, but you may run out of space sooner than you’d expect given how much some games take up. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, for example, eats up over 200GB. If you don’t want to regularly uninstall software, you’ll have to pay an extra $50 for the 1TB model, at which point you might be tempted to buy the Series X, where the price difference is closer (albeit at $150).
If storage space isn’t an issue, the S is definitely the way to go – it’ll save you money and space, and the 1440p (or even 1080p) output is plenty sharp unless you’ve got a giant 4K or 8K TV – and even then, the lower resolution can be upscaled, so all you’re really getting from the native 4K output is reasonably crisp detail.
The X is targeted at people who want a top-notch experience, access to physical games, and/or something that doubles as a Blu-ray player. If you don’t need any of those things to have fun, the Series S will do the trick.
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Dark Horse: Portable Gaming PC
More options, more value
The Handheld PC might not immediately spring to mind as a competitor to the Series S, but it does offer a good value proposition: the 256GB LCD Steam Deck has been marked down to $399, and you might be able to find a used deck for less on sites like Facebook Marketplace. The Handheld PC also offers expandable storage via SD cards and the ability to switch between portable gaming and connecting to a TV, although the latter may require a dock and/or HDMI cable.
The catalogue of PC games is huge, with decades-old titles still playable, and since games don’t need to be certified by the platform holder, there’s a huge variety of indie releases alongside AAA offerings. Many Xbox games can be played on PC, too, because Microsoft wants you to play them on Windows. There’s also a PC version of Game Pass if you want that, but it’s not compatible with Steam Decks except via the cloud; Windows handhelds don’t have this issue.
If portability isn’t a concern and price is your number one priority, the Series S might be the better choice. It might be hard to find a handheld for $300, and better models could be as expensive or even more expensive than the Series X. The Steam Deck OLED will set you back at least $549, while the ASUS ROG Ally X is $800.
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Should you buy an Xbox Series S in 2024?
It’s worth considering the future of the platform
It’s possible, but I wouldn’t do it without seriously considering my interests. It’s not the best Xbox, it’s not the best console, and it has outdated specs so it pales in comparison to modern PCs. But if you just want a good-looking game on your TV for a reasonable price, go for it. There’s no point in spending the money on a Series X or PS5 unless you need the extra features.
If portability appeals to you, it might be worth saving up for a handheld PC. If you want something as convenient as the Series S for video gaming, keep in mind that you’ll need to invest in one or more Bluetooth controllers, as well as a dock and HDMI cable.
If all you’re looking for is an affordable way to play great looking games on your TV, give it a try.
2024 may be the last year you can buy the Series S at full price. Microsoft has already announced plans for the next-gen Xbox, which may not ship until 2026, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Series S discounted in 2025 as vendors try to clear inventory.
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