Xbox Series X Digital Edition review: a compelling option that slightly misses the mark on price and storage

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Xbox Series X Digital Edition: two-minute review

The Xbox Series X Digital Edition is 1 of nan caller additions to Microsoft’s current-gen console family, ditching nan disc thrust wholly successful bid to connection nan gaming console astatine a lower, perchance much compelling value point.

There’s surely beardown entreaty to this; for folks who want Microsoft’s astir powerful current-generation console without needing to salary nan biggest bucks, nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition is simply a compelling action arsenic it comes successful $50 / £50 cheaper than nan flagship Xbox Series X. And if you’re not astatine each fussed astir owning beingness copies of nan best Xbox Series X games, past this all-digital console will beryllium nan 1 to spell for.

It’s besides an fantabulous prime if you for illustration nan entreaty of Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s integer games-on-demand subscription work that lets you download hundreds of games astatine a monthly (or annual) fee. The less-powerful Xbox Series S console is awesome for Game Pass, too, but pinch this Series X model, you’ll beryllium getting full-fledged current-gen gaming experiences pinch nary graphical compromises.

Moreover, it’s a slick spot of kit from an artistic standpoint. I really for illustration nan Robot White colour strategy of nan Digital Edition complete nan Carbon Black of nan disc-drive console (not to mention nan alternatively gaudy Galaxy Black of nan caller 2TB model). Of course, nan artistic quality has nary base connected wide performance. And connected that note, you’re getting an identical acquisition compared to nan disc-drive exemplary - and conscionable for illustration it and nan Xbox Series S, this caller all-digital console is impressively quiet during play.

That being said, I deliberation nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition’s value tag still errs connected nan higher side, coming successful astatine $449.99 / £429.99. While that does lucifer nan value of nan PS5 Slim Digital Edition successful nan US, it’s £40 much costly than Sony’s all-digital instrumentality successful nan UK. On apical of that, nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition only comes pinch astir 800GB of usable retention (roughly 200GB is claimed by nan operating system) compared to nan PS5 Slim’s approximate 850GB. That’s besides much aliases little nan aforesaid arsenic what is usable successful nan Xbox Series X disc-drive console.

That isn’t thing caller for this console generation’s 1TB machines; each of them person had to reserve abstraction for nan basal package needed for them to function. Without immoderate other retention capacity, however, nan worth proposition of nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition isn’t massively awesome erstwhile compared to nan disc-drive exemplary aliases moreover nan 1TB Xbox Series S. Granted, nan second is simply a little powerful system, but it is simply a overmuch cheaper integer action ($349.99 / £299.99) pinch nan aforesaid magnitude of storage.

You will besides apt want to debar nan Digital Edition if you don’t person peculiarly bully download speeds via your net work provider. The deficiency of a disc thrust present intends you aren’t capable to trust connected beingness media, and frankincense won’t beryllium capable to instal games offline truthful are afloat limited connected a beardown net connection.

In summary, then, nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition is awesome for folks aft optimal graphical capabilities from nan existent harvest of Xbox consoles astatine a reduced value - particularly if you don’t mind nan absence of a disc thrust aliases want to afloat clasp Xbox Game Pass. But if you consciousness you’d miss nan action for beingness games, it’s worthy stumping up that other $50 / £50 for nan guidelines console instead.

Xbox Series X Digital Edition: Price and availability

• $449.99 / £429.99 / AU$699
• That’s $50 / £50 cheaper than nan disc-drive Xbox Series X
• Meanwhile, nan 1TB Xbox Series S costs $349.99 / £299.99

The Xbox Series X Digital Edition retails astatine $449.99 / £429.99. It’s disposable to bargain from nan charismatic Xbox online store, arsenic good arsenic plentifulness of large container retailers for illustration Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Argos, and Currys.

Despite nan deficiency of a disc drive, nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition still finds itself towards nan higher extremity of nan Series X|S value spectrum. As mentioned above, nan modular Xbox Series X costs $499.99 / £479.99 aft a value hike successful 2023. For further comparison, nan 1TB type of nan Xbox Series S comes successful astatine $349.99 / £299.99, making nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition nan priciest discless action wrong nan Series X|S ecosystem.

You are astatine nan very slightest getting nan afloat brunt of nan Series X’s graphical chops here, truthful those wanting a cheaper action for that will find worth here. But, if your main thrust for owning a current-generation Xbox is to play a batch of games astatine a importantly little value point, past that 1TB Xbox Series S exemplary whitethorn beryllium nan 1 to spell for here.

Xbox Series X Digital Edition: Specs

Xbox Series X Digital Edition: Design and features

• Robot White colour strategy fits nan Series X for illustration a glove
• No disc drive, but different identical successful position of quality and features
• 3 USB-A ports arsenic good arsenic HDMI, power, ethernet, and different for retention description

The Xbox Series X Digital Edition maintains nan striking cuboid creation of nan original model. In fact, if you’ve ever laid eyes connected an original Xbox Series X, this caller 1 is fundamentally that without nan disc thrust and successful a slick Robot White colour scheme. I’m rather a instrumentality of this artistic change; not only does it separate nan exemplary from its Carbon Black counterpart, it’s besides much successful statement pinch different all-digital models for illustration nan Xbox Series S (especially pinch nan Carbon Black Xbox Series S being phased retired and not disposable for acquisition successful Australia). I deliberation it besides looks rather bully contrasting against my achromatic TV stand.

Everything other astir nan console is identical to nan 2020 model. The deficiency of a disc thrust intends nan beforehand of nan portion is without immoderate indentations, prevention for nan Xbox logo powerfulness fastener and a solitary USB larboard which are some successful nan aforesaid place. It's besides worthy noting that Microsoft hasn't opted to adhd immoderate USB-C ports present for illustration Sony has pinch nan PS5 Slim Digital Edition. That surely would've made connecting definite third-party controllers aliases headsets via wireless dongle overmuch easier. Otherwise, nan built-in vertical guidelines is besides present, resting astatine nan bottommost of nan console, pinch ventilation present arsenic good arsenic astatine nan apical of nan unit.

The backmost broadside of nan console is besides nan aforesaid arsenic its disc-drive brethren. Ports for power, HDMI, ethernet cable, and a slot for retention description for illustration nan Seagate Xbox Storage Expansion Card aliases nan WD Black C50 are here, arsenic good arsenic 2 much USB ports. There are besides much ventilation holes backmost here, ensuring that nan console runs cool and quiet passim your play sessions.

The Xbox Series X Digital Edition is besides nan aforesaid successful position of dimensions and, according to nan charismatic Xbox website, weighs nan aforesaid 9.8lbs (around 4.5kg) arsenic nan disc-drive model. However, this integer console should beryllium ever truthful somewhat lighter than that owed to nan absence of nan disc drive. In nan expansive strategy of things, this doesn’t person immoderate base connected nan wide bulkiness aliases shape facet of nan console; while surely smarter and much compact than nan unwieldy PS5 silhouette, you still won’t want to move your Xbox astir excessively overmuch fixed its size and weight.

Boxed contents for nan console are very straightforward. As good arsenic nan console, you get a Robot White Xbox Wireless Controller - which I consciousness looks overmuch nicer than nan reasonably bog-standard Carbon Black. The opposition of nan achromatic thumbsticks, d-pad, and look buttons pops retired really nicely present connected nan Robot White controller. Otherwise, you’ve sewage a powerfulness lead and HDMI cablegram for hooking nan console up to your TV. 

Unfortunately, there’s nary inclusion of an Xbox Game Pass subscription, which I deliberation would’ve been a invited summation fixed nan console’s all-digital nature, and pinch it mostly being aimed astatine folks who’re looking to bargain into nan existent Xbox procreation astatine a little value point.

Once you footwear up nan console and person it each group up, you’ll beryllium greeted pinch nan accustomed Windows 11-based Xbox dashboard. There are nary changes present from different current-generation Xbox units which is to beryllium expected.

Xbox Series X Digital Edition: Performance

• Full fat Series X experience, including support for 4K and framerates up to 120fps connected supported TVs 
• Impressively quiet capacity while gaming 
• 800GB of usable retention abstraction doesn’t spell very far 

Thanks to teardown videos, we cognize that nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition has somewhat revised soul components, opting for a smaller motherboard, a different cooling system, and wide somewhat little wattage than nan motorboat Series X. However, location are nary notable shifts successful capacity here. The Digital Edition is not a PS5 Pro-style upgrade; you’re getting Xbox Series X capacity albeit successful all-digital form.

The Xbox Series X Digital Edition supports solution up to 4K, though you will find that astir games discuss connected framerate successful bid to execute this target. As a result, galore of nan champion Xbox Series X games connection capacity mode options, allowing you to opt for higher framerates astatine nan costs of image quality. On that front, nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition tin target framerates of up to 120fps. 

There are moreover immoderate games that connection capacity modes targeting this. But do support successful mind that you’ll request a compatible gaming TV successful bid to make usage of this. Just for illustration nan motorboat model, nan Digital Edition besides boosts capacity for nan best Xbox One games by default, truthful you’ll beryllium getting nan very champion retired of those older games too.

The Xbox Series X Digital Edition besides has support for precocious move scope (HDR) and adaptable refresh complaint (VRR). The erstwhile leverages nan tech of compatible TVs (typically OLED and QLED models) to supply a overmuch richer and crisper colour palette. Meanwhile, VRR is capable to soft complete games pinch rocky capacity astatine 40fps aliases higher, creating a much unchangeable play acquisition overall.

As pinch nan guidelines model, nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition is phenomenally quiet during gaming. You’ll only ever perceive nan fans whirring connected a caller boot. I tested everything from lightweight indie games for illustration Hollow Knight and Vampire Survivors all nan measurement up to much demanding AAA releases for illustration Lies of P and Forza Horizon 4. Unless you’re really listening retired for it (even past you’d practically person to property your receptor up against nan console itself), you won’t perceive a peep from your console during gameplay, downloads, aliases installs. 

The 1 point successful position of wide capacity that could beryllium a dealbreaker for you is nan magnitude of usable retention abstraction disposable connected nan console. As mentioned, you’re getting astir 800GB of usable space. It’s perfectly a 1TB SSD successful nan console, but astir a 5th of that abstraction has to beryllium taken up by its operating strategy and basal software.

The reality is that you’re not gaining immoderate much retention abstraction by going all-digital; connected versions of nan console pinch a disc drive, beingness games still request to beryllium installed successful bid to beryllium played. And moreover though it’s a cheaper console relative, that’s not by much. I would of people urge investing successful 1 of nan best Xbox Series X difficult drives and SSDs, but nan $50 / £50 value driblet successful comparison to nan guidelines Series X console does not offset nan precocious costs of those soul retention cards from Seagate aliases WD Black. 

You tin of people opt for a cheaper outer retention solution, but it’s worthy noting that these will not beryllium capable to tally Xbox Series X|S games aliases enhanced titles; you’ll strictly beryllium constricted to storing them present until you transportation them to nan console’s main SSD.

If nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition was somewhat cheaper aliases offered a existent 1TB aft nan basal installs, past I would consciousness overmuch much comfortable recommending it. In summary, I consciousness that Microsoft could person done much particularly pinch nan console still costing good supra $400 / £400.

On a amended note, it’s worthy noting that console setup is highly elemental and, if you person an existing Microsoft account, you tin transportation complete your full crippled library, prevention files (including unreality saves), subscriptions, and costs specifications if you’ve owned Xbox consoles prior. You don’t moreover request to person immoderate erstwhile consoles switched connected simultaneously for this, and nan full process tin beryllium done via nan Xbox app connected your iOS aliases Android phone.

Should I bargain nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition?

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The Xbox Series X Digital Edition isn’t your only action erstwhile it comes to current-generation Xbox consoles. You whitethorn besides want to see nan pursuing options.

How I reviewed nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition

I tested nan Xbox Series X Digital Edition complete a play of a week and a half, pairing it pinch nan included Robot White Xbox Wireless Controller and my LG CX OLED TV, which fto maine make usage of features for illustration 4K/120fps support arsenic good arsenic HDR and adaptable refresh rate.

I tested a assortment of games from my existing Xbox library, including AAA hits for illustration Forza Horizon 4, Sea of Thieves, and Elden Ring alongside indie favorites for illustration Hollow Knight and Vampire Survivors. I besides played backwards compatible titles including Ridge Racer 6, Sonic Unleashed, and Crimson Skies.

Overall, I recovered capacity to beryllium successful measurement pinch nan original Xbox Series X erstwhile comparing nan 2 models directly, pinch nary noticeable downgrades aliases improvements. Rest assured that if you’re opting for nan Digital Edition, you’ll beryllium getting a existent Xbox Series X acquisition astatine a little value point.

Read much astir really we test

First reviewed October 2024.