Xbox Series S

The Xbox Series S launched in 2020 as one of gaming's best value propositions, and for most of the current console generation it earned that reputation. In 2026, the picture is more complicated. Microsoft's third round of hardware price increases, effective August 1, 2026, pushed the 512GB Xbox Series S to $499.99 — $200 more than its launch price and now the same as the Nintendo Switch 2 at its September 2026 rate. The reason is industry-wide: DRAM and NAND flash prices have risen dramatically due to AI data center demand, and Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo all implemented significant price hikes within a short window. Even at $499.99, the Xbox Series S still offers a distinct proposition. It runs the same games as the Xbox Series X — just typically at 1440p rather than 4K — and provides complete access to Xbox Game Pass, including all first-party Microsoft releases on day one and EA Play integration. Grand Theft Auto 6, launching November 2026 exclusively on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S (no PC version at launch), can be played on the Series S, making it the most affordable entry point for that title on Xbox. The hardware itself remains impressive for its size. The compact white chassis is genuinely small and operates nearly silently even under load. Quick Resume, fast load times, and support for features like auto-HDR and DirectX ray tracing (in supported titles) provide a noticeably modern experience. Where it falls short is the 512GB SSD: modern game installs routinely exceed 50–80GB, and the proprietary storage expansion cards that provide the simplest upgrade path are expensive. Frame rates and resolution targets in demanding games can be lower than the Series X version, and the absence of a disc drive limits options for physical game ownership and used game purchases. The Xbox Series S no longer stands alone as a budget pick given its current pricing, but for buyers who prioritize Game Pass access over 4K output or disc support — and don't want to spend $300 more for the Xbox Series X — it remains a logically positioned entry point into the Xbox ecosystem.