Important takeaways
- Microsoft has launched three new Xbox Series X/S models, namely the 2TB Galaxy Black Series X, 1TB all-digital white Series X and 1TB white Series S.
- The new Xbox Series X variants also include internal hardware revisions, such as a smaller 6nm chip, a redesigned motherboard and a copper heat pipe cooling system.
- These changes improve energy efficiency compared to the launch Xbox Series X models and run just as quietly.
Microsoft has released three new iterations of its Xbox Series X/S consoles, offering more storage space, a disc-free option, a new special edition system, and several other inherent improvements. While the platform holder doesn't have a rival to Sony's upcoming PS5 Pro, these new Xbox variants fill many gaps in Microsoft's current generation of consoles.
Four years into their lifecycles, the approaches used for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S have diverged quite a bit. Sony has regularly made small revisions to the PS5, whether it's more efficient SoCs, cooling system optimizations, a smoother vertical stand, or the redesigned PS5 Slim released last year. The Xbox Series X/S consoles, meanwhile, have remained exactly the same since they launched in Holiday 2020. New storage options and colors were introduced, but the Xbox console lineup hasn't changed on a core level.
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Xbox Giving Away Gold Indiana Jones Console
Xbox is announcing that they will be giving away a brand new, custom Series X console inspired by Indiana Jones and the Great Circle before the game's release.
Now Microsoft is adding three new consoles to the Xbox Series X/S family. These were first announced during this summer's Xbox Games Showcase and are now available for purchase. The heading is Galaxy Black Xbox Series Xa 2TB special edition console with a custom black-green color scheme and white dots meant to mimic the cosmos. This is followed by a new one white all-digital 1TB Series Xand finally one white 1TB Series S. While these may only look like surface-level changes, there's a lot more going on here internally, at least for the Series X consoles.
New Xbox Series X consoles bring many internal improvements
New Xbox Series X/S models and prices
- Xbox Series X, 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition: $599.99
- Xbox Series X, 1TB Digital Edition (White): $449.99
- Xbox Series S, 1TB (White): $349.99
Xbox Series X New internal changes
- Smaller, more power-efficient 6nm chip compared to the launch model's 7nm SoC
- At idle, the 2TB Series X draws 10W less power and the 1TB all-digital draws 23W less compared to the launch model
- While gaming, the 2TB model draws 16W less power and the 1TB all-digital draws 11W less compared to the launch model
- The motherboard has been redesigned and the SSD shield has been removed
- New cooling system for copper heat pipes instead of vapor chambers on the launch model
- No measurable changes in fan noise or exhaust gas temperatures
YouTuber Austin Evans recently posted a video tearing down the Galaxy Black and discless Series X versions. A close inspection revealed many changes inside the new Xbox Series X models, the most prominent of which is a smaller 6nm chip. The shrunken SoC slightly improves power efficiency by at least 10W when idle and up to 16W during gaming. The motherboard has also been restructured and the vapor chamber cooling system ditched for a more conventional copper heat pipe design. Overall, these changes are more in line with the PS5's previous hardware versions, rather than the Slim model.
As is usually the case with console hardware releases, Microsoft will be able to manufacture the updated Xbox Series X systems at a cheaper price. The company hasn't confirmed whether it broke down on console production, but given how poorly the Xbox Series X/S duo is selling, Microsoft is likely still losing money on each unit.