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Xbox Series S
Xbox Series S hub: 2026 price for the 512GB and 1TB models, no disc drive, where to buy new, used or refurbished, trade-in value and whether the Xbox S is…
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Is the Xbox Series S next gen?
Yes. It plays every current Xbox game, just at lower resolutions than the Series X.
How much is the Xbox Series S?
$499.99 for 512GB and $599.99 for the 1TB black model in the US since August 1, 2026.
Is the Xbox Series S worth it?
Yes for 1080p or 1440p screens and Game Pass players; the Series X is better for 4K TVs and disc games.
When did the Xbox Series S come out?
The Xbox Series S launched on November 10, 2020, alongside the Series X.
Is the Xbox Series S good for Game Pass?
Yes. The Series S is a cheap way into Game Pass, but its storage fills quickly, so consider the 1 TB model or an expansion card.
Does the Xbox Series S have a disc drive?
No. It is digital only, so you buy games from the store or play them through Game Pass.
How much storage does the Series S have?
The base model has 512 GB, and a 1 TB version is also sold. Game installs fill this quickly, so many players add an expansion card.
Can the Series S play Series X games?
Yes, Series X and Series S share the same game library, with the Series S usually running at a lower resolution.
The Xbox Series S, often just called the Xbox S, is the smaller and cheaper current Xbox. It plays every Xbox Series X|S game, but targets 1080p to 1440p instead of native 4K, has about 4 teraflops of RDNA 2 graphics and 10GB of memory, and has no disc drive. It is the most affordable way into Xbox Game Pass. This hub covers the Xbox Series S price, the 512GB and 1TB models, where to buy one new, used or refurbished, and whether the Xbox Series S is worth it in 2026.
When did the Xbox Series S come out?
The Xbox Series S came out on November 10, 2020, the same day as the Xbox Series X. It launched at $299.99 with 512GB of storage. A 1TB model in Carbon Black arrived in September 2023.
Is the Xbox Series S next gen?
Yes. Despite the lower price, the Xbox Series S is a full current-generation console. It has the same Zen 2 processor family, the same fast SSD architecture, ray tracing support and Quick Resume as the Series X, and it plays every new Xbox game. The difference is resolution and graphics detail, not which games you can play. People sometimes search “Xbox 1 Series S”, but the Xbox One S is a different, older console from 2016.
Xbox Series S price
| Model | US price since Aug 1, 2026 | Color |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox Series S 512GB | $499.99 | Robot White |
| Xbox Series S 1TB | $599.99 | Carbon Black |
How much is the Xbox Series S? $499.99 or $599.99 new in the US after the August 2026 price increase. That is a big jump from the $299.99 launch price, which makes deals and the used market more important than ever.
Xbox Series S 512GB vs 1TB
The Xbox Series S 512GB leaves only about 364GB for games, which can mean just three or four big titles. The Xbox Series S 1TB, in black, roughly doubles that. If you can afford it, the 1TB black model is the better buy. If you choose the 512GB version, budget for an expansion card; see Xbox Series S storage expansion.
Xbox Series S disc drive: does it have one?
No. Every Xbox Series S is digital only, and Microsoft does not sell an add-on Xbox Series S disc drive. Games come from the Microsoft Store or Game Pass. If you want to play discs, you need an Xbox Series X with a drive.
Where to buy an Xbox Series S
- Microsoft Store: both models at the official price.
- Walmart Xbox Series S: frequent bundles and Black Friday deals.
- Target, Best Buy and Amazon: regular stock; watch for gift-card promotions.
- Xbox Series S sale events: the biggest discounts usually come on Black Friday, when the Series S has historically been one of the most discounted consoles.
Used and refurbished Xbox Series S
A used Xbox Series S usually costs about $200 to $300 in late 2026, depending on the model, making it one of the cheapest current-gen consoles. Look on GameStop’s pre-owned section, Facebook Marketplace and Xbox Series S listings on eBay. A refurbished Xbox Series S from Microsoft or a big retailer costs a little more but includes a warranty. Check that the console has been reset, the controller works without drift, and both USB ports and the HDMI port are undamaged.
Xbox Series S trade-in value
If you are upgrading, the Xbox Series S trade-in value at retailers like GameStop is typically around $100 to $200 in store credit, depending on condition, storage and current promotions. Selling privately usually gets more money. Before trading in, sign out, remove your account and factory reset the console.
How games run on Xbox Series S
Most games run at 1080p to 1440p and 30 to 60fps on the Series S, with some offering 120fps modes at lower resolution. Popular games such as Fortnite, Call of Duty, Minecraft, EA Sports FC and 2K26 titles on Xbox Series S, including NBA 2K26, all have native versions. A few demanding games have lower settings or occasional features missing, such as some ray-tracing effects. GTA 6 is confirmed for Series S as well as Series X; see GTA 6 platforms.
Is the Xbox Series S worth it?
Is the Xbox Series S worth it in 2026? Yes, if you play on a 1080p or 1440p screen, rely on Game Pass, and do not need discs. It is ideal for kids’ rooms, second TVs, students and anyone who mostly plays popular online games. It is less worth it if you have a large 4K TV, want the best graphics, or already own many physical games. Compare it properly in Xbox Series X vs Series S and read who the Series S is for.
Getting the most from your Xbox Series S
- Pair it with Xbox Game Pass for hundreds of games without buying them one by one.
- Use a 1440p 120Hz monitor for sharper images and smoother frame rates than a 1080p TV.
- Use Xbox Cloud Gaming to try games before downloading them and save storage.
- Add rechargeable batteries for the controller.
Xbox Series S specs explained
The Series S uses an eight-core AMD Zen 2 processor at up to 3.6GHz, a 20-compute-unit RDNA 2 GPU at about 4 teraflops, and 10GB of GDDR6 memory. Its processor is almost as fast as the Series X, which is why games play the same; the smaller GPU is what limits resolution. It outputs up to 1440p at 120Hz and upscales to 4K for TVs, and it supports ray tracing, variable refresh rate and Dolby Atmos. It is also tiny, about 60 percent smaller than the Series X, and quiet, which makes it easy to fit under any TV or take to a friend’s house.
Xbox Series S for families
The Series S is the most popular choice for families. Set up Xbox Family Settings on your phone to control screen time, game ratings, spending and who children can chat with. Game Pass gives kids a large library of age-appropriate games without buying each one, and Minecraft, Roblox and Fortnite all run well. Because it has no disc drive, you never have to worry about lost or scratched discs.
Common Xbox Series S problems
- Running out of space: uninstall unused game modes and add an expansion card.
- Games look soft on a 4K TV: that is expected; the console renders below 4K. A 1440p monitor often looks sharper.
- Controller disconnects: update the controller firmware. See controller fixes.
- Slow downloads: use a wired connection and see our Xbox troubleshooting guide.
Series S or wait for the next Xbox?
Microsoft has confirmed that its next console, Project Helix, is in development, but reports point to a 2028 launch at a much higher price. The Series S will keep receiving new games for years, just as the Xbox One did after the Series X|S launched, and your digital library and saves will move to the next Xbox. For anyone who wants to play now on a budget, buying a Series S today is still a sensible choice. Track the next generation on our Project Helix page.