The newest Xbox consoles currently on the market are the Xbox Series X and the Xbox Series S. While this generation originally debuted in late 2020, Microsoft released a significant hardware refresh in October 2024. These newer models introduced updated storage capacities, new colorways, and a disc-less option for the flagship Series X, ensuring the lineup remains competitive for the 2025 gaming season and beyond.

For anyone looking to buy an Xbox today, it is essential to distinguish between the original launch models and the October 2024 updates. This guide provides a comprehensive breakdown of every current Xbox console, their technical differences, and which one aligns with your specific gaming needs.

The October 2024 Xbox Hardware Refresh

In October 2024, Microsoft expanded the Xbox family to include three specific new variations. These are not "next-generation" consoles (like an Xbox Two or Series X2), but rather iterative updates that address user demand for more storage and different price points.

Xbox Series X – 2TB Galaxy Black Special Edition

This is currently the "top-of-the-line" Xbox. It serves as the premium choice for enthusiasts who demand the highest storage capacity and a unique aesthetic.

  • Storage: 2TB of custom NVMe SSD storage, doubling the capacity of the original Series X.
  • Design: Features a "Galaxy Black" finish with a silver, grey, and green celestial pattern, inspired by deep space.
  • Disc Drive: Includes the standard 4K UHD Blu-ray drive.
  • Performance: Delivers the full 12 teraflops of power, capable of native 4K gaming and up to 120 FPS.

Xbox Series X – 1TB Digital Edition (Robot White)

This model represents a major shift for the flagship line. For the first time, gamers can access the full power of the Series X without paying for a physical disc drive.

  • Storage: 1TB SSD.
  • Design: Finished in "Robot White," matching the original aesthetic of the Series S but in the larger Series X tower form factor.
  • Disc Drive: None. This is an all-digital console.
  • Target Audience: Gamers who have fully embraced digital downloads and Game Pass, looking for 4K performance at a slightly lower entry price than the disc-based version.

Xbox Series S – 1TB (Robot White)

The Series S also received a storage bump in the latest refresh. While the "Carbon Black" 1TB version was released previously, the October 2024 update solidified the 1TB option as a standard in the Robot White colorway.

  • Storage: 1TB SSD.
  • Performance: Aimed at 1440p resolution at 60-120 FPS.
  • Design: Compact, all-digital, and finished in Robot White.

Understanding the Core Differences: Series X vs. Series S

Choosing the "newest" Xbox depends on your display setup and how you prefer to buy games. Despite the 2024 updates, the fundamental architectural difference between the "X" and "S" remains.

The Powerhouse: Xbox Series X

The Xbox Series X is designed for high-fidelity gaming on 4K televisions. Inside, it houses a custom 8-core AMD Zen 2 CPU and an RDNA 2 GPU capable of 12.15 teraflops. This horsepower is necessary for rendering complex textures, massive open worlds, and ray-traced lighting at high resolutions.

In our practical testing of the October 2024 refresh, we noted that Microsoft has subtly updated the internal cooling system. The newer Series X models have moved away from the vapor chamber cooling found in the 2020 units toward a more traditional copper heat pipe design. While this sounds like a downgrade to tech enthusiasts, it is actually an efficiency play; the 6nm chip used in newer units generates less heat, allowing for a quieter fan profile under heavy loads such as playing Starfield or Forza Horizon 5.

The Value Entry: Xbox Series S

The Series S is the smallest Xbox ever made. It targets 1440p gaming but can upscale to 4K for media and games. With 4 teraflops of power, it is significantly less powerful than the Series X, but it uses the same Velocity Architecture. This means you still get the "next-gen" experience—specifically near-instant load times and Quick Resume—but at a lower graphical fidelity.

For a gamer using a standard 1080p monitor or a smaller TV, the Series S is arguably the smartest purchase. However, the move to a 1TB standard for the newer models was a necessity. With modern titles like Call of Duty often exceeding 150GB, the original 512GB Series S was frequently criticized for its limited usable space.

Technical Specifications Comparison

Feature Xbox Series X (2024 Models) Xbox Series S (1TB Models)
Target Resolution True 4K 1440p (Upscaled 4K)
Performance Goal 60 - 120 FPS 60 - 120 FPS
GPU Power 12 Teraflops 4 Teraflops
Memory 16GB GDDR6 10GB GDDR6
Storage Options 1TB or 2TB NVMe SSD 512GB or 1TB NVMe SSD
Physical Media Optional (Disc drive on 1TB/2TB models) Digital Only
Dimensions 15.1 x 15.1 x 30.1 cm 6.5 x 15.1 x 27.5 cm

Why the October 2024 Refresh Matters

If you are browsing a retailer today, you might see the original 2020 Xbox Series X alongside the new 2024 Digital Edition or Galaxy Black version. Beyond the obvious changes like color and disc drives, there are several "under the hood" reasons to opt for the newer hardware.

Energy Efficiency and Heat Management

The 2024 models benefit from a more mature manufacturing process. The "SoC" (System on a Chip) is more power-efficient. In our observations, the latest Series X Digital Edition draws slightly less power from the wall during idle and medium-load scenarios compared to the launch-day 2020 models. Lower power consumption typically leads to less heat, which is the primary enemy of electronics longevity.

Storage Sustainability

The jump to a 2TB option on the Galaxy Black edition is a direct response to the increasing size of game installs. Previously, users had to rely solely on expensive proprietary expansion cards. By offering a 2TB internal drive, Microsoft allows users to keep roughly 15-20 "AAA" titles installed simultaneously without needing additional hardware.

The Role of the Xbox Velocity Architecture

Regardless of which model you choose—whether it’s the standard 2020 unit or the latest 2024 refresh—the defining characteristic of this generation is the Xbox Velocity Architecture. This is a combination of four components: a custom NVMe SSD, hardware-accelerated decompression, a new API layer called DirectStorage, and Sampler Feedback Streaming.

What this means for the player is the end of the "loading screen era." Games that took two minutes to load on an Xbox One now load in under 10 seconds. Furthermore, it enables a feature called Quick Resume. This allows the console to keep several game states suspended in the SSD memory. You can jump from Halo Infinite to Elden Ring and be exactly where you left off in seconds, even if the console has been unplugged in between.

Is the Newest Xbox Right for You? A Buyer's Framework

When deciding which of the current models to purchase, we recommend looking at your lifestyle and existing technology setup rather than just the "newest" label.

The Hardcore Enthusiast

If you own a 4K OLED TV with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDMI 2.1 support, the Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy Black Edition is the only logical choice. You need the 12 teraflops to push those pixels, and you will appreciate the extra storage for your library.

The Modern Digital Consumer

If you have no interest in physical discs and buy all your games through the Microsoft Store or via Game Pass, the Xbox Series X 1TB Digital Edition is the most balanced choice. You get the premium 4K performance without paying the "tax" for a disc drive you will never use.

The Casual or Budget-Conscious Gamer

If you are buying a console for a child, for a secondary room, or for a college dorm, the Xbox Series S (1TB) remains the best value in gaming. It provides access to the entire current-gen library at a fraction of the cost. The 1TB version is highly recommended over the 512GB version to avoid the frustration of constantly deleting and re-downloading games.

Setting Up Your New Xbox for Success

Once you have unboxed the newest model, there are several steps to ensure you are getting the experience you paid for.

1. Calibrate Your HDR

Both the Series X and Series S support HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Go into the "Settings > General > TV & Display Options" and run the "HDR Calibration" tool. This ensures that the whites aren't blown out and the blacks aren't crushed, which is vital for the visual fidelity of modern titles.

2. Enable 120Hz and VRR

If your TV supports it, ensure that 120Hz is enabled. More importantly, enable Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). VRR allows the TV to sync its refresh rate with the console's output, eliminating screen tearing and making frame rate dips almost imperceptible.

3. Review Your Power Mode

The newest Xbox consoles come with "Shutdown (energy saving)" as the default. This is the most eco-friendly option and fully shuts down the console. However, if you want your games to update automatically while you sleep or want to use "Remote Play" to stream your Xbox to your phone, you should switch to "Sleep" mode.

Expansion and Accessories

Even with the 2TB model, storage can eventually run low. It is important to note that the newest Xbox consoles use a proprietary expansion port on the back. You cannot simply plug in a standard USB external hard drive to play "Series X|S Optimized" games.

  • Expansion Cards: You must use the Seagate or Western Digital C50 Expansion Cards. These plug into the dedicated slot and match the internal SSD speed perfectly.
  • External USB Drives: You can use these for older games (Xbox One, Xbox 360, Original Xbox) or as "cold storage" to move Series X|S games back and forth, but you cannot play modern games directly from them.

The Xbox Ecosystem: Beyond the Hardware

When you buy the newest Xbox, you aren't just buying a box; you are buying into an ecosystem. The primary driver of this is Xbox Game Pass.

Game Pass is often described as "Netflix for games." For a monthly subscription, you get access to hundreds of titles, including every first-party game from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda, and Activision Blizzard on day one. For many owners of the new Series X Digital Edition, a Game Pass Ultimate subscription is the only "purchase" they make all year, providing an endless stream of content without the $70-per-game price tag.

Furthermore, Xbox Cloud Gaming allows you to start a game on your console and continue playing it on your laptop, tablet, or even a compatible smart TV without any console at all. This synergy makes the newest Xbox hardware part of a larger, fluid gaming experience.

What Happened to the Xbox One?

It is worth noting that the "newest" Xbox is a complete departure from the Xbox One era. While the Xbox One X was a powerful machine for its time, it lacks the SSD technology and CPU architecture required to run modern titles like Microsoft Flight Simulator or Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. Microsoft has largely moved on from the previous generation. If you are still using an Xbox One, the October 2024 Series X/S models represent a massive leap in every measurable metric, from UI speed to graphical complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the absolute latest Xbox model released?

The newest models are the Xbox Series X (2TB Galaxy Black), Xbox Series X (1TB Digital Robot White), and the Xbox Series S (1TB Robot White), all released in October 2024.

Is there an "Xbox Series X Pro" coming out?

As of late 2024, Microsoft has not announced a "Pro" model similar to the PlayStation 5 Pro. The October refresh focused on storage and disc-drive options rather than a significant increase in raw processing power.

Can the new Xbox Series X Digital Edition play my old discs?

No. The Digital Edition lacks an optical drive entirely. If you have a large collection of physical Xbox One or Xbox 360 discs, you must purchase the standard Xbox Series X (1TB) or the 2TB Galaxy Black edition to use them.

Does the newest Xbox support VR?

No. Unlike PlayStation, Xbox does not currently support any Virtual Reality headsets. Microsoft has stated their focus remains on traditional screen-based gaming and cloud accessibility.

Is the 2024 Xbox Series X faster than the 2020 version?

In terms of game performance (frames per second and resolution), they are identical. The 2024 versions are more efficient and offer more storage, but they do not make games run "faster" than the original Series X.

Summary of the Current Xbox Lineup

Navigating the newest Xbox options is straightforward once you identify your priorities. The 2024 refresh has streamlined the choice:

  1. For the ultimate experience: Choose the Series X 2TB Galaxy Black. It has the most storage, the best looks, and a disc drive.
  2. For high-end digital gaming: Choose the Series X 1TB Digital. It offers flagship power without the bulk of a disc drive.
  3. For the best value: Choose the Series S 1TB. It is the most affordable entry into the current generation with enough storage to stay relevant for years.

The Xbox Series X|S platform is currently in its prime. With the October 2024 hardware updates, the consoles have been refined to be quieter, more efficient, and better suited for the massive file sizes of modern gaming. Whether you are upgrading from an older console or joining the ecosystem for the first time, these new models represent the pinnacle of Microsoft's hardware engineering.