At Gamescom 2024, Microsoft unveiled three new versions of the Xbox Series X|S. While performance remains unchanged, the new models boast updated colors and increased storage capacity.
Pre-orders for the new Xbox Series X|S are now open, with the consoles set to hit shelves starting October 15 in select markets, and up to two weeks later in others.
The flagship console in this release is the Xbox Series X 2 TB Galaxy Black Special Edition, featuring a sleek galaxy black finish and a built-in 2 TB SSD. It’s designed to accommodate heavy-hitting games like Call of Duty Black Ops 6. This edition retains the Ultra HD Blu-ray drive and is priced at $599, $100 more than the standard version still available on the market. For gamers looking to save $150 but still want a new console, there’s the Xbox Series X 1 TB Digital Edition in “Robot White.” However, it lacks the optical drive present in the original version released four years ago, making it $50 cheaper.
The third option is the Xbox Series S 1 TB Digital Edition, also in “Robot White,” priced at $349, the same as the 2023 model.
It’s been four years since the Xbox Series X|S launched in the global console market, and Microsoft has opted not to make any upgrades to its hardware. The consoles still feature the AMD Zen 2 + RDNA 2 architecture, with the updates limited to aesthetics and SSD capacity. This strategy is aimed at maximizing profits, but its success hinges on sales. Gamers who already own an Xbox Series X|S are unlikely to purchase a new one simply for color changes or additional storage.
