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A series of Xbox Series boxes.Sam Machkovech
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The $299 model on top of the $499 model.Sam Machkovech
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Different technical sales pitches.Sam Machkovech
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Back of Series X box.Sam Machkovech
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Back of Series S box.Sam Machkovech
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POWER YOUR DREAMS, times two. This is how each box looks when first opened.Sam Machkovech
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A small caddy is tucked into each box with additional accessories. It's small for a reason: Like with other recent Microsoft game consoles, Xbox Series does not use external power bricks.Sam Machkovech
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Each console comes with the same stuff: HDMI 2.1 cable, power cable (identical to those used for the Xbox One S and Xbox One S), quick-start guide, warranty guide, an updated Xbox Wireless Controller, and two AA batteries.Sam Machkovech
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More from the quick-start guide.Sam Machkovech
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I liked how the Series X looked midtear, so I snapped a shot of it, like it was some sort of ridiculous cupcake being unwrapped.Sam Machkovech
You may have noticed a faint trickle of unboxings and painfully limited previews of new consoles at Ars Technica as of late, and today, I have more of the same to offer. This time, I can finally confirm receipt of Microsoft's $299 Xbox Series S, now in addition to the $499 Xbox Series X I've been testing for over a month.
When we went down this road with Series X earlier this month and Sony's $499 PlayStation 5 one day ago, here's how things began: we announced that we'd gotten the device in question and offered a mild tease while ensuring you, Ars readers, that we were merely diving in with tests and impressions ahead of a more formal review. Today's gallery revolves specifically around the final, retail hardware Microsoft sent us for both flavors of its Xbox Series line; the Series X I've previously shown off has been a "near-final" prototype (likely one meant for use at events like E3, before those went kaput).
Hence, I finally get to yank them out of their boxes (above), then present them in a mild comparison gallery (below). Unlike prior generations, neither new Xbox comes with a physical coupon for subscription services like Xbox Game Pass or Xbox Live Gold, arguably because Microsoft has shifted toward offering those directly to brand-new customers once said customers connect consoles to the Internet. (Apologies in advance to longtime Xbox subscribers hoping for a fun 14-day re-up in the box.)
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Xbox Series S (left), next to Xbox Series X (right). Two consoles... but only one has a disc drive.Sam Machkovech
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Same comparison, now with more of Series S's Bluetooth speaker-like vibe.Sam Machkovech
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Xbox comparison from above.Sam Machkovech
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Reminder that the green dot array on Series X varies based on whatever angle you view it from.Sam Machkovech
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Two new Xbox consoles, getting cozy in horizontal orientation.Sam Machkovech
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Series X (left) and Series S (right) from behind.Sam Machkovech
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A closer look at identical ports on both consoles, only in different places.Sam Machkovech
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Xbox Series S posing on top of a PlayStation 5.Sam Machkovech
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If you can't tell, the PlayStation 5 is bigger.Sam Machkovech
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Seems even bigger from above.Sam Machkovech
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With its stand attached in horizontal position, PlayStation 5's body (with white shell attached) maxes out at roughly 4.25 inches high. Xbox Series X's horizontal orientation is a bit taller, at 6 inches of height.Sam Machkovech
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Both systems add a little bit of visual flair when you look at them from an angle.Sam Machkovech
With both consoles' retail versions in hand, I can now confirm I'm full-steam ahead on preparing their reviews and comparisons. While I can't say anything yet, I'm laser-focused on the $299 question as of late: how will the same games scale on both the "up to 4K" power of Series X and the "up to 1440p" power of the discless Series S? Plus, of course, I have all kinds of other tests in mind: power draw, noise, memory limitations, and so on. (Whatever you want to know, ask away in the comments, and I'll keep those queries in mind as I get to "work.")
While I can't yet say exactly when those reviews will run, you can be confident that they'll arrive in time for the consoles' upcoming November 10 launch at online and brick-and-mortar retailers.
Listing image by Sam Machkovech
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