The Xbox One S is a smaller Xbox One that supports 4K video output, but not native 4K gaming. Games don’t really run any differently on it from before, apart from some minor resolution up-scaling on the new new hardware.
What, you want slightly more information? Fine, I guess I’ll do my job and actually write a full-length review…
It’s not exactly small, but smaller than previous models
The Xbox One S is primarily being marketed as a smaller, sleeker Xbox One console, and without question it is more slimline than the original hardware. What is important to note is that this reduction in size only really serves to bring it in line with the rough dimensions of a PS4 – it’s not exactly small, but smaller than previous models. It basically brings the system down to the size that its competitor reached a few years back.
The only other space-reducing change made to the console of note is that it now features an internal power supply, no longer requiring a crazy-large external power brick to run.
The console only currently comes in matte white, which looks stylish and, more importantly, picks up minimal fingerprints when transported. The power button is now a physical button rather than a touch activated spot, which I wildly prefer.
The new controller has some nicer hand grips, and it connects more readily to Windows 10 PC’s wirelessly over Bluetooth, but otherwise it feels very similar to a standard Xbox One controller.
Lastly, don’t expect to be using your Kinect with the Xbox One S unless you want to go to the trouble of getting an adapter, not included in the console, which requires its own external mains power to operate.
Let’s get into the nitty-gritty: the console’s 4K support.
The Xbox One S upscales games to 4K so that your 4K TV isn’t displaying a non native resolution. This is not designed to improve the visuals of the game, and has a negligible effect on how games look. Do not buy the Xbox One S expecting it to make your games look better, unless you already have a 4K TV and displaying a 1080p signal on your screen is causing you display issues, because there won’t be any marked improvement.
A few rare games have seen minor performance increases for some users, but this is only has a minor effect on a very limited number of titles.
It’s also important to note that while the Xbox One S supports 4K HDR (High Dynamic Range, which allows for a wider range of colours), it doesn’t support the HDR competitor Dolby Vision. This will have a notable effect on the way images are displayed, and the range of colours you experience on some TVs.
As a 4K streaming box and BluRay player, the Xbox One S looks fantastic. HDR10-supported BluRay movies in particular, like The Lego Movie, look amazing when run on the console. I was able to pick out details like thumb prints on characters I had not spotted since my original cinema viewing of the movie.
HDR10-supported BluRay movies in particular look amazing when run on the console
If you’re looking for an Xbox One model that’s smaller, runs video content nicely in 4K and upscales other content for TV resolution consistency, and understand it won’t make games look or run any better, the Xbox One S is the box for you. If you’re looking for games to look or run better, what you’re probably better off doing is just waiting for the Scorpio to release some time next year.
It’s a better box than the original console release, but I’m hard pressed to recommend upgrading unless you’re looking for very specific features.
Manufacturer: Microsoft
MSRP: £349.99 (2TB Edition)
Input: HDMI, standard power adapter
- Smaller design
- No external power brick
- 4K video output
- Minimal game performance bump
- No Dolby Vision support
A nice new look with a few handy tweaks. Don’t expect this to make your games run significantly better, because it won’t.
%
Laura Dale
Laura's gaming journey began in the 90′s when she was given a SNES by her older brother with Mario paint. From that day video games were all she thought about day or night, be it playing them, designing them, discussing them or writing about them.
I want it. I’m willing to live between the first XBOX One and the Scorpio. The thing is, I don’t know if it’ll be worth getting since I can get most game the X1 has on my PS4.
*games 🙂
Laura, is the D-pad on this controller better? It looks better. I had a lot of trouble with button presses registering properly on the original; especially up and down.
How does Xbox One S get an 8/10 and the PS4 slim get a 9? As you yourself pointed out, the One S has some significant feature upgrades for both gaming and non-gaming. The PS4 slim is just a smaller box. I’m just wondering how you justify your review scores, because to me they don’t make sense.
Also, the “bad” points that you list above are knocks against the additional features. The PS4 slim has no performance bump whatsoever, no 4k support of any kind, and no HDR compatibility (HDR 10 or Dolby Vision), and these don’t appear to be negatively noted in your review. Seriously, what gives??
I’m sure she’s waiting for her free PS VR that Yoshida promised her for this obviously biased review. Let’s see, smaller size? 4K streaming and Blu-ray? HDR video? Slight performance boost as verified on Digital Foundry? And yet only an 8?
And on the other side? Cheaper design? NO OPTICAL PORT? No bundled games at all and will probably be at the same price as the base model X1S? Yet she still gives it a 9?
Just shows the bigotry that “reviewers” like this slob has against the X1S is just astounding.
Laura, I enjoyed your review of the PS4 Slim, especially I appreciate your video (which surprisingly Sony hasn’t had taken down yet). As others here have mentioned, I’m disappointed with your rating of the Xbox One S as it compares to your rating of the PS4 Slim. You count as a negative the 11% performance bump on the One S over the original Xbox One. While the PS4 Slim, which has a 0% performance bump, you neglect to hold to the same standard. Also, regarding the 2 flavors of HDR, which the Xbox One S supports HDR 10, you count as a negative that the Xbox One S does not support the Dolby HDR Standard. At the same time, the PS4 Slim supports NEITHER HDR flavor, but amazingly it evades your scrutinization.
I think if you take a moment to ponder these factors you may come to the conclusion that perhaps you haven’t given the Xbox One S a fair shake. Take care and stay blessed…