Xbox Series X Vs Playstation : Price And Availability In 2021
Both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X retail for $499 in the U.S., albeit with a cheaper PlayStation 5 Digital Edition in production, which cuts the price to $399. Budding Xbox owners wanting to save on next-generation gaming will need to consider Xbox Series S, which delivers much of the same but targeting HD TVs over 4K resolution. But the biggest challenge right now is their availability, with limited stock dominating the conversation around these devices.
The new Xbox and PlayStation consoles are hard to find in early 2021, with limited supply and record demand fostering a challenging landscape for buyers. Recent restocks continue to sell out in seconds, with a thriving resell market valuing the consoles with high price markups. That’s expected to continue throughout the year, only worsened by current world events.
Xbox Series X
Xbox Series X is Microsoft’s new flagship, as its most powerful console with over 12TF GPU performance and a custom SSD. It boasts up to 4K resolution and 120 FPS, full backward compatibility across four generations, and ray-tracing support.
The Broad Goal For Xbox Series X: Make It Easier To Play Games On Whatever Device You Want With Whoever You Want To Play With
Microsoft’s been talking about a new Netflix-like video game streaming solution for awhile now, called Project xCloud. You can even use it yourself for free it’s currently in beta, and is set to go live soon.
The idea is you can play whatever games you want on whatever device you want . That plan is still in the works, and is a part of the vision for the next generation of Xbox but so is a physical disc drive and a digital storage system as well.
But this isn’t a video game streaming box. Xbox Series X is very much a video game console in the traditional sense.
In the long run, Microsoft wants Xbox Series X to be the centerpiece of a broader strategy to get people playing games on whatever they want, wherever they want, whenever they want, even without owning a physical video game console.
New Games No Hardware
Say you dont own an Xbox or a gaming PC, but you do have an Android phone. Does Microsoft have any next-gen gaming options for you? Thanks to game streaming, it does. On September 15th, Microsoft added game streaming to Xbox Games Pass Ultimate, which costs $14.99 a month. The feature, which was known previously as xCloud, could give you a way to play many of the biggest Xbox Series X games without having to own any gaming hardware at all. You can stream them to a device as simple as an Android phone, for example .
Game streaming isnt an entirely new idea Sony launched its PlayStation Now service way back in 2014 to a muted response but Microsoft is taking a much more interesting approach. Rather than focusing on older titles, as Sony did with PlayStation Now, Microsoft says its new games will be available to stream the day they release and lists recent first-party titles like Forza Horizon 4, Gears of War 5, Tell Me Why, The Outer Worlds, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps as being among the 150-plus games available to stream at launch.
Microsoft promises to let you stream major Xbox games straight to your phone.Game streamings future on iPhones is uncertain
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Xbox Series X Vs Xbox Series S Price
The Xbox Series X costs $499 / £449 / AU$749 and launched on November 10, 2020. The console is packed with cutting-edge technology, and goes head-to-head with the PS5, which also costs $499. The price point may be too expensive for some, but it puts the Xbox Series X in a strong position to compete with Sonys hardware.
The Xbox Series S launched alongside the Series X and its price is much lower at just $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$499. A $200 saving will be very appealing to the more cost-conscious consumer.
Latest Xbox Console Update Adds New Game Accessibility Feature Tags
The latest update for Xbox consoles now has several accessibility features, including color filters.
Microsoft has released a brand-new Xbox console update that features Game Accessibility Feature Tags, along with additional accessibility features including color filters, audio settings, and more.
First, this month’s console update introduces new and improved color filters on Xbox Series X|S, making gaming easier for players with color blindness or color vision deficiency. This feature works on current titles in the Xbox game catalogue and will help future titles as well.
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The color filters will let players customize the visual experience to distinguish between colors that may otherwise appear similar. The feature can be found in the Settings > Accessibility > Color Filters menu on the Xbox consoles. Players can also turn filters on and off from the guide in Profile & System > Quick Settings without leaving the content when viewing.
Update volume and audio output settings have also been added for all Xbox consoles, with options like “Mute speaker audio when headset attached” included in the Additional Options, along with a new Audio Testing & Details screen. Volume and audio output settings have been reorganized to make relevant settings easier to access. To access, players can go to Settings > Audio Testing & Details.
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The Look: We Wanted To Design A Console Where The Form Was Driven By The Function And The Function As I Said Was To Really Play The Highest Power Most Immersive Games Possible
The design of the Xbox Series X, first revealed on December 12 at the 2019 Game Awards, is a major departure from traditional game console design.
Rather than looking like futuristic DVD player, like so many game consoles before it, the Xbox Series X resembles an austere PC tower. It has a disc slot for Blu-ray discs, a glowing Xbox button for turning the console on, and there’s at least one USB plug hiding out on the lower right corner. We’ve yet to see what it looks like around back, but the top is just a massive air duct for cooling.
In an exclusive hands-on with Xbox Series X, GameSpot’s Peter Brown described the console’s size as such: “Series X’s square footprint is roughly as wide as an Xbox One controller and three times as tall.”
Moreover, it can be oriented horizontally or vertically, which should allow it to be easily fit into home entertainment centers.
Is The New Xbox Backward Compatible With Older Games
The Xbox Series X and Series S are backward compatible with all but a handful of Xbox One titles which were based around the no longer supported Kinect sensor. The Series X and Series S will also play the hundreds of Xbox 360 and Xbox titles that Microsoft made the Xbox One backward compatible with as well. Almost all backward-compatible titles will have a variety of graphical enhancements.
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Can Xbox One S Play Discs
Since the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition wont support a disc collection, the standard Xbox One S is an ideal alternative. Unlike the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, this device features an optical disc drive, with support for physical disc-based Xbox One games, along with 4K Blu-ray and DVD playback.
Microsofts Two New Consoles
This week, Microsoft released its two new Xbox consoles. Theres the $499 Xbox Series X, and a cheaper $299 Xbox Series S. You can read our reviews of both of them by following the links below.
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Xbox Series S review
Its not unusual for console manufacturers to offer a couple of different hardware options at launch, but normally, the differences are minor. The PS3, for example, was initially available in two models. There was a version with a 60GB hard drive as well as a cheaper version with a smaller 20GB hard drive, no Wi-Fi support, and fewer ports. Meanwhile, Microsoft also originally sold a Core version of the Xbox 360 in 2005, which included compromises like including a wired rather than wireless controller and omitting a hard drive.
The differences between the Xbox Series S and Series X are more substantial and have a big impact on how games look. While Microsoft says the Series X is targeting running games at 60fps at a full 4K resolution, the Series S instead targets a lower 1440p resolution at 60fps. Its a big power disparity, similar to what we saw between the Xbox One and the Xbox One X, but this time, the two consoles were available on day one, rather than releasing years apart.
The Xbox Series X comes complete with a disc drive.Microsofts Series S is less powerful and digital-only.
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Us: Xbox Series X Order Details
The Xbox Series X costs $499 in the US while the all-digital Xbox Series S is $299. Many stores are out of stock so be prepared to search high and low chances of a deal aren’t too high, we’re afraid. One place you can buy the new Xbox Series X is StockX, but be prepared to pay more than the list price. Buyers are currently asking around $400 for the Series S and $700 for the Series X. You’ll also want to make sure the console has the right plug for your region.
- GameStop: Series S in stock
- Best Buy: Series S bundles in stock
- Walmart : Series X and S in stock from third parties
- : available from third-party sellers
Backwards Compatibility On Xbox Series X
Another of the Xbox Series X’s best features is the breadth of its backwards compatibility. There are well over 1,000 backwards-compatible titles available, meaning youll be hard-pressed to find an older game you have that isnt supported on the Series X.
As mentioned previously, we found these titles loaded faster and simply played better improved stability means fewer frame rate drops, which makes older games feel nicer to play, even if they’re otherwise a little outdated by the standards of modern blockbusters.
This backwards compatibility also extends to Xbox accessories. We found that we could easily connect the original Xbox Wireless Controller and the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 to the Xbox Series X with no issues, and we were also able to connect our headsets.
Any officially licensed Xbox One accessory that connects either wirelessly or via a wired USB connection should work on the Xbox Series X, such as the Xbox Wireless Headset however, its worth noting that optical port connections arent supported, although some of these products may work with a firmware update.
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What Are Their Faves
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6 OF 7: HELP US PICK A CONSOLE THAT FITS YOUR GAMING STYLE
6 OF 7: HELP US PICK A CONSOLE THAT FITS THEIR GAMING STYLE
Auto Hdr On Xbox Series X
Like the Xbox One, the Xbox Series X allows for calibration of HDR for games. We’d advise setting this before playing any games, as it ensures the balance of contrast is spot-on, giving you the best visuals possible.
For our initial review, we primarily had access to a selection of backwards-compatible titles which are the best indicator of the boost in performance the Xbox Series X delivers over its last-gen counterparts. With the above settings enabled, we found that the games immediately looked better on the Xbox Series X which isn’t particularly surprising, given that Microsoft has implemented native HDR for these titles.
We go into detail as to how this performance boost improves Xbox Series X Optimized titles further down, but in short, when playing backwards-compatible titles on the Xbox One S and Xbox Series X versions side-by-side we could clearly see the visual upgrade.
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Xbox Series X Controller Vs Playstation Dualsense
Microsoft builds upon the Xbox One controller, now with added functionality for Xbox Series X.
Microsoft unveiled Xbox Series X alongside the latest revision of its controller, building upon the proven Xbox One design with further enhancements. The signature addition is a new dedicated “Share” button, mimicking the feature popularized by the PlayStation 4’s DualShock and the Nintendo Switch. The key enables fast video and screenshot capture and sharing, building upon the Game DVR from Xbox One.
That pairs with a new hybrid D-Pad inspired by the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller, circular-shaped with five defined square surfaces. Textured trigger grips come standard, which makes a huge difference compared to Xbox One.
Speaking with Xbox leadership, GameSpot also detailed an “ever-so-slightly smaller” controller silhouette for Xbox Series X, in response to user research. While a subtle change, Microsoft hoped to nail down ergonomics across the broadest range of Xbox buyers. The proprietary Xbox Wireless protocol also returns, extending efforts to reduce input latency.
Like the Xbox Elite Series 2 Wireless Controller, the Series X controller features USB Type-C however, it takes AA batteries. Rechargeable batteries packs are compatible but optional.
The next PlayStation controller, named the DualSense, introduces new advances in haptics.
Best Xbox Console 2021
Microsoft’s Xbox consoles allow you to play thousands of hours of action-packed video games, plus all the entertainment features to satisfy the living room. The arrival of Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S means you have more options than ever, but the Xbox One family is still far from obsolete in 2021. Whether you need the best in 4K gaming or an affordable way to play, we’ve rounded up the best Xbox consoles to help you decide which is best for you.
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Xbox Versions: Each Edition
Aside from the special collectors editions of Xbox consoles, there are only nine different models that have taken the Xbox name in gaming history. Throughout its lifetime, Microsoft has sought to keep the brand relevant to the gaming industry and even looks to develop products and services geared toward the future.
Xbox One System Software
Xbox One operating system, sometimes called Xbox OS is the operating system for the Xbox One. It is a Windows based operating system using Hyper-Vvirtual machine monitor and contains separate operating systems for games and applications that can run on the console. It is located on the internal HDD for day-to-day usage, while also being duplicated on the internal NAND storage of the console for recovery purposes and factory reset functionality.
Since launch, Microsoft has been updating the OS monthly, with updates downloaded from the Xbox Live service directly to the Xbox One and subsequently installed, or by using offline recovery images downloaded via a PC.
The Xbox One allows users to download applications that add to the functionality of the dashboard. From June 2014 onwards, entertainment apps no longer require the user to be signed into a valid Xbox Live Gold account in order to use the features advertised for the given app.
The current public version of the Xbox One system software is 10.0.16299.5101, that was released on February 7, 2018.
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Second Generation: Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 was released as the successor of the original Xbox in November 2005, competing with Sony‘s PlayStation 3 and Nintendo‘s Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles. As of June 2014, 84 million Xbox 360 consoles have been sold worldwide. The Xbox 360 was officially unveiled on MTV on May 12, 2005, with detailed launch and game information divulged later that month at the Electronic Entertainment Expo . The console sold out completely upon release in all regions except in Japan. Several retail configurations of the core Xbox 360 model were offered over its lifetime, varying the amount of RAM and internal storage offered.
The Xbox 360 showed an expanded Xbox Live service , the ability to stream multimedia content from PCs, while later updates added the ability to purchase and stream music, television programs, and films through the Xbox Music and Xbox Video services, along with access to third-party content services through third-party media streaming applications. Microsoft also released Kinect, a motion control system for the Xbox 360 which uses an advanced sensor system.
The second major revision of the Xbox 360 was the Xbox 360 E, released in 2013. It featured a case style similar to the upcoming Xbox One, and eliminated one USB port and the S/PDIF, YPbPr component and S-video connections, but otherwise shared the same specifications as the Xbox 360 S.
Xbox Series X Vs Xbox Series S Verdict
Microsoft may be onto something here. By offering two consoles that target different audiences, consumers ultimately have more choice and more ways to enter into the Xbox ecosystem. If only the best will do, pick up an Xbox Series X, but be prepared to pay a premium. Want to enter the next generation without breaking the bank? The Xbox Series S is a fantastic entry point, and one with a seriously tempting price.
Microsoft seems to have created two appealing iterations of its console, without one appearing less attractive than the other. Crucially, it will now be able to fight the PS5 on two fronts: price and performance. The Xbox Series S costs significantly less than the PS5.
By creating an argument for Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S, Microsoft has essentially done its best to turn consumers heads where it might not have done so were it a straight fight between Xbox Series X and PS5. And thats surely a win for Xbox as a whole.
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