Microsoft Xbox One S offers a more streamlined gaming experience with new features, including a 4K TV. But here is the question arises should you buy this console or not? Read this guide and get your answer.
Specifications of Xbox One S
| Manufacturer | Microsoft |
| Model | Xbox One S |
| Processor | 1.75 GHz Custom 8 core x86 AMD Jaguar |
| Flash Storage | 8 GB |
| Internal Storage | 500 GB |
| Supported Storage | USB flash drive / Cloud storage / External hard drive |
| Memory | 8 GB RAM + 32 MB |
| Graphics | AMD Radeon Graphics Core (914 MHz) |
| Resolution | 2160p (4K UHD) 60 Hz |
| Optical Drive | Ultra HD Blu-ray (up to 50 GB) DVD CD |
| Output and input connectors | 1 x IR output and 4 x USB 3.0 input |
| WIFI | Wifi 5 (802.11ac) Dual Band (2.4 GHz, 5GHz) |
| Ethernet | 1 x 10/100/1000 MB Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN |
| Color depth | 24-bit traditional and 30 to 36 Deep color |
| HDR | 10 |
| Video Outputs | 1 x HDMI-in 1.4b / 1 x HDMI-out 2.0a |
| Audio Outputs | 1 x S/PDIF |
| Video Codecs | HEVC/H.265, AVC/H.264, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Part 2, VC1/WMV9 |
| Audio Codecs | AAC, MP3, MPEG1, WMV |
| Controllers | Supports up to 8 wireless or infrared controllers |
| Power Supply | 120 W (internal) |
| Weight | 6.4 lb or 2.9 kg |
| Dimension | 11.6 x 9.1 x 2.6 inch or 29.5 x 23 x 6.5 cm |
| Price | $441.38 |
Design
The Xbox One S had a complete transformation by Microsoft. However, the company has not confirmed what the S stands for, but our guess is Slim. The case is 40 percent smaller, which makes this console a little bigger than a PS4.
The design of this console is pretty attractive. The bumpy air conditioner-style grids have been swapped with a refined pinhole design. Moreover, the glossy black plastic, which was a dust magnet and agonized with scrapes, has also been ditched. It is all matte and has a white Armored trooper chic with black intonations.
However, the power switch is now a physical button, which is a lot less susceptible to accidental activation than the Xbox One touch-sensitive offering. There is a USB port and a controller pairing button at the front that was veiled away at the side in earlier Xbox.
Xbox One S Games
This console still does not have the same quality as AAA: Authentication Authorization and Accounting System sellers. It means for each Forza Horizon 3, there’s a Dead Rising 4, Halo 5: Guardians, or ReCore that was very dreadful.
However, it does not mean that this console does not have some must-play games. Super Hot and Ori and the blind forest are excellent. While Gears of War 4 was a bloody fun return for the cover shooter series. Moreover, the console combined with the third-party fare of Battlefield 1, Fifa 17, Final Fantasy XV, and many more.
So you will not be short of new games to play, and there are also old games to be digging back into in this gaming console.
Updated Features
User Interface
With this console, everyone can have their own personalized Home screen for instant access to their favorite games and entertainment. Once you sign into Xbox Live on any Xbox One S, the Home screen, games, content, profile, and save files come to you.
Updated Services
Xbox Live ensures next-gen gaming for gamers worldwide with this console. Online multiplayer experiences come to life with cloud-powered artificial intelligence, making classic experiences every time you play. Moreover, because every game is introduced by servers, host advantage, and player drops and jingle times should be much better.
HDR
It Supports video and gaming, letting you experience irony and more shining in games like Gears of Wars 4 and Forza Horizon 3.
Memory and Storage
This console gives you loaded memory for your games, demos, movies, apps, music, and more with 8GB RAM and 500GB hard drive.
Applications
Xbox One S supports many apps, and you can pin your favorites to your home screen, including Netflix, Twitch, Spotify, ESPN, Skype, Hulu, Peacock, Disney Plus, and YouTube. Some apps require app provider-specific subscriptions and other requirements.
Furthermore, broadband internet and an account on Xbox is required. The video streaming feature is only accessible on Xbox One S and the Xbox Video website, which requires Windows 7, 8, 8.1,10 or Mac OS 10.6.8+ with Safari 5.1+.
IR Blaster
On the Xbox One S, IR Blaster is integrated in the front and in the back to control your TV and cable box like a universal remote.
Wireless Controller
The white Xbox Wireless Controllers feels grips for improved comfort. The signal performance of the wireless controller really improved and ensured a more reliable connection to the console. Furthermore, Microsoft also added Bluetooth support to enable the wireless connection to your Windows 10 device.
Explore the Web
You can also explore the web on your TV with Internet Explorer and Bing with your voice to browse your favorite sites with ease.
4K Streaming
Xbox One S lets you stream 4K content from associates like Netflix and Amazon Video.
Games with Gold
This feature is for paid Xbox Live Gold members only. Every participating game (selected by Xbox) is accessible for download from the Xbox Store in a specific window. But keep in mind that the available games may vary by region. However, some games are only available for download by adult account holders 18+.
UHD Blu-Ray
This UHD Blu-ray Disc is a built-in feature for players to play in UHD Blu-ray Discs natively.
Cross Platform
With the free Xbox SmartGlass application for Windows 10, Windows Phone, Android, and iOS, you can use your tablet or phone to outspread, improve, and control what’s playing on your Xbox One S. Moreover, the amalgamation of the controller, Kinect, and Xbox SmartGlass techs reveal prospects for developers to bring you more advanced games.
HDMI Pass-Thru
It connects your cable box to your Xbox OneS for watching your favorite shows with the OneGuide.
Backward Compatibility
You can play many Xbox 360 games on Xbox One S. Experience both generations of games on this console, including digital and disc-based titles, with advanced features like Game DVR and in-home Streaming to Microsoft Windows 10.
Additionally, you can keep all your game saves, add-ons, and hard-won successes from Xbox 360. With your Xbox Live Gold subscription, you can play multiplayer games and chat with friends across Xbox One and Xbox 360.
Cortana
This feature works like Siri on iOS, tvOS, or Google Assistant on Android devices. With Cortana, you can come to control and navigate your Xbox One S, which is a step ahead of the earlier Kinect-only voice commands.
Hitech Verdict
All of the above is taken into account. It is really hard to dislike the Xbox One S. Its slimmer and sexier design makes this console look more stylish than the previous Xbox consoles.
However, the drawback is that someone who has recently bought an Xbox One is now facing the difficult decision of buying an expensive edition. And think that the advanced performance 4K HDR streaming and the quality storage is really worth rebuying or not.
