The Xbox Series X is the long-awaited new console coming from Microsoft following in a long line of consoles from the same family that have been with gamers for almost two decades.
The original Xbox was released in 2001, with the Xbox 360 arriving in 2005, followed by the Xbox One in 2013. Although there have been significant upgrades and changes between these models, the new Xbox Series X will be the first major generational change in Xbox family for over seven years.
Originally codenamed “Project Scarlett” by Microsoft, the new Xbox Series X was officially announced at The Game Awards 2019 with a trailer that gave fans and gamers a first glimpse of the fourth generation console from the Xbox family.
Xbox Series X quick facts
Xbox Series X release date: 10th November 2020
What can I play on it? Halo Infinite, Hellblade 2, Assassin’s Creed Vahalla and more. You can also access more via a monthly Xbox Game Pass subscription.
Xbox Series X price: $499, £449
Xbox Series S price: $299, £249
Does Xbox Series X have VR? Not at launch, but expect it later.
Can I play my Xbox One games on Series X? Yes, they are backwards compatible.
When is the Xbox Series X release date?
It has now been announced that the new Xbox Series X release date will be 10th November this year and it will be the most powerful Xbox to date. There will also be a more affordable version of the console named the Xbox S which will be released at the same time. Pre-orders will begin from 22nd September.
It was expected that the new console would be on sale for the holiday period of 2020, just like the PS5 from Sony. Therefore the best guess was always that the X Box Series X would be released around October, November or December, with the most most likely month being pitched as November to ensure there’s plenty of time to buy the device and get it under tress all over the world.
Bloomberg’s Dina Bass tweeted about this – looks like she was right!
Microsoft CFO Amy Hood says new Xbox is still on track for the November holidays launch.
— Dina Bass (@dinabass) July 22, 2020
She added this came from an event where she asked Microsoft’s CFO Amy Hood about the release.
Xbox Series X price: How much will X Box Series X cost?
The Xbox Series X console will cost £449 here in the Uk and $499 stateside, it has now been announced. There will also be a more affordable alternative version of the new console which will be called the Xbox Series S. This console will retail at the lower price point of £249/$299.
Xbox Series X Specs: What do we know about the Xbox Series X?
CPU: 8x Cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz w/ SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU
GPU: 12 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU
Die Size: 360.45 mm2
Process: 7nm Enhanced
Memory: 16 GB GDDR6 w/ 320b bus
Memory Bandwidth: 10GB @ 560 GB/s, 6GB @ 336 GB/s
Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
I/O Throughput: 2.4 GB/s (Raw), 4.8 GB/s
Expandable Storage: 1TB Expansion Card (matches internal storage exactly)
External Storage: USB 3.2 External HDD Support
Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray Drive
Performance Target: 4K @ 60 FPS, Up to 120 FPS
The Xbox Series X will be the most powerful console that Microsoft have ever produced and will go head-to-head with Sony’s brand new PS5 for the Christmas 2020 market.
Like the PS5, Microsoft will be adding an SSD capability for storage, but will also have a physical drive for games.
It is also understood that current Xbox One peripherals like the controllers will work on the new Series X.
Xbox Series X design: What does the Xbox Series X look like?
A trailer revealed what the new Xbox Series X looks like and it has a whole new look. The shape of the device is different from its predecessor, oblong in shape and when upright looking more like a gaming PC – with a prominent curved grill on top- it’s a good looking console.
The Xbox Series X has an upright tower design like a gaming PC, but you can sit it horizontally as well vertically. The console in the trailer is black with cooling vent indents on the top. The light inside looks green. The logo is in the top left-hand corner and there’s a disc drive vertically.
Port wise there’s the HDMI 2.1 output port, three USB 3.2 ports, one networking port and an expanded storage slot and a power input port.
Size wise it’s 15.1cm x 151.cm and 30.1cm and weighs 4.45kg/9/8lbs.
Xbox Series X controller
Microsoft is releasing a new controller with the console. The new Xbox Wireless Controller has a refined shape and size. The idea is to make it more accessible following on from the Xbox Adaptive Controller. There’s also a dedicated share button that lets you share screenshots and videos with friends. As well as that there’s a new feature called Dynamic Latency input which lets you synchronise “input immediately with what is displayed” making it more precise and responsive.
Xbox Series X Games
There’s been some news on the game front. If you see the tweet below the team have said there will be transparency – and the “next step is not too much of a wait (games).”
Reviewed plans yesterday for continued sharing through launch. Team is doing great work and adapting. I've never been more excited about Xbox plans. We've heard you, you want transparency/authenticity. We plan to keep showing that way, next step is not too much of a wait (games)
— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) April 23, 2020
So expect Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga and Halo Infinite. The Xbox games will also be backwards compatible.
What about Xbox Series S?
Codenamed Project Lockhart, the Xbox Series S, is the cheaper, digital-only alternative to the new Xbox Series X.
The lower-cost console had been rumoured for a while along with the disc-less feature, and faster CPU. Think PS4 Pro without the disc dive. Microsoft has said that Xbox Series X will be part of a family of consoles and it seems they were true to their word.
For more news, visit our technology section.
from Radio Times https://ift.tt/35vAZpT
