Xbox Series S Review
Zen 2 · 4 TFLOPS RDNA 2 · 1440p target
Specdex verdict The Xbox Series S is a competent mid-range pick when the price is right — see our cheaper-and-better alternatives below for context.
Microsoft's budget current-gen console — 20 CU custom RDNA 2 GPU at 4 TFLOPS, 1440p target up to 120 FPS, 512 GB SSD, no disc drive. The cheapest path into the Xbox library. Launched November 10, 2020 at $299.
Specdex doesn't run benchmarks in-house. The verdict is an editorial assessment based on manufacturer specs and public reviewer consensus. See methodology.
Xbox Series S versus its closest rivals
- +Cheapest path into Game Pass + Quick Resume
- +Compact white form factor
- +120 FPS target at lower resolutions
- −512 GB SSD fills fast
- −10 GB total RAM splits between 8 GB fast + 2 GB slow
- −No disc drive
Who's the Xbox Series S for?
Quick verdicts for the most common buyer profiles, derived from the sub-scores above.
Compute scores trail current top-tier — look at our step-up alternatives below if performance is the priority.
Mid-tier pricing at $299 — review whether the score-per-dollar lines up against the cheaper alternatives we recommend.
Configurations
Available options for the Xbox Series S.
In the box
What you get when you unbox the Xbox Series S.
- Console
- Controller
- HDMI 2.1 cable
- Power cable
- Quick-start guide
Standard contents — region/SKU may vary; confirm at retailer.
Sources & benchmarks
Cited, not generatedSpecdex does not run benchmarks in-house. We're rolling out cited public benchmark data category by category — PassMark for CPUs and GPUs is wired today; DXOMark, RTINGS, Geekbench, and NotebookCheck will follow.
Sources we use when available: PassMark for CPU/GPU, Geekbench Browser for synthetic, DXOMark for camera scores, RTINGS for TVs, monitors, and headphones. See methodology.
Specifications
Verified against Microsoft · 2026-05-13| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| CPU | Custom AMD Zen 2 8C @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz with SMT) |
| GPU | Custom RDNA 2, 20 CUs @ 1.565 GHz, 4.006 TFLOPS |
| RAM | 10 GB GDDR6 (8 GB @ 224 GB/s + 2 GB @ 56 GB/s) |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage | 512 GB internal SSD |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 275 × 151 × 65 mm |
| Weight | 1.93 kg |
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Output | 1440p target up to 120 FPS |
Cheaper alternatives to the Xbox Series S
Same category, at least 20% cheaper, best-scoring picks from our catalog.
Step up from the Xbox Series S
Higher-scoring consoles if you've got more to spend.
More from Microsoft
Also consider
Where the Xbox Series S appears on Specdex
Curated lists, spec rankings, and buying guides where this product is mentioned or ranked.