What Is The Latest Version Of Xbox

Which Xbox is the newest? A brief timeline of Microsoft's latest consoles

How to enable 120Hz on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S

(Image credit: Microsoft)

If you've been tasked with buying an Xbox either for yourself or as a gift, but aren't quite sure which Xbox is the newest, then you've come up to the right place. It's admittedly like shooting fish in a barrel for Xbox'south obtuse naming conventions to trip upwards consumers who aren't as tech-savvy or as in the know, and then nosotros're here to make certain you lot don't accidentally end up buying the wrong model.

Over the last decade, we've had several unlike Xbox models launch, all at varying toll points and classification to meliorate tell them apart from other models. We experience Microsoft could have done a meliorate task at the naming system for its consoles, though, especially if you're new to Xbox in full general and don't understand what consoles came before the latest systems.

If you're feeling a chip lost when trying to figure out which Xbox is the newest, fearfulness non. The following guide volition walk y'all through not only the latest Xbox models but also the older ones that you may wish to avoid if yous're shopping for the latest and greatest consoles Microsoft has to offering.

Xbox consoles launched over the last decade

Black and white Xbox One — (Epitome credit: Microsoft)

A decade agone, there weren't all that many Xbox consoles to worry about. Now, though, the number of Xbox models available on the marketplace has increased exponentially. Equally such, for more casual buyers, finding out which Xbox is the newest can seem like a bit of a minefield.

First up is the original Xbox One, which launched in 2013, and is the oldest model featured in this guide. A few years later on, Microsoft launched improved versions of that console - the Xbox One South and Xbox One X.

The Xbox One S was comparable to the original Xbox One in terms of specs simply was a more compact car than its bulky predecessor and was more easily identifiable cheers to its white aesthetic. In that location was also an Xbox One S All-Digital panel, a lower-priced unit that lacked an optical disc drive.

The Xbox One Ten was a more powerful unit, capable of enhancing certain games to 4K resolution and a higher framerate. At the time of its launch in 2017, the Xbox One X was the virtually powerful Xbox console one could purchase. Nevertheless, information technology has since been surpassed by the latest Xbox consoles on the market.

To make things a little easier on consumers, Microsoft has since discontinued product on all Xbox Ane models, shifting its focus to the Xbox Ane'southward successors - the Xbox Serial 10 and Xbox Series Due south. Notwithstanding, that doesn't mean you won't still observe Xbox One consoles online or on the high street, so it's still important to know the key differences before you purchase.

Which Xbox is the newest?

Microsoft has non ane, merely two Xbox consoles that currently serve as its latest models - the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Note the reusing of the X/Southward naming convention, as was the instance with the Xbox One'due south follow-up models. In this case, though, there is no "base" Xbox Series panel to worry about.

Both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series South were launched on the aforementioned day in tardily 2020, technically making them both the newest Xbox console on the marketplace. There are many fundamental differences that set the consoles apart, however, and then buying the right model for you will come down to a number of factors.

The easiest manner to tell the consoles autonomously is in appearance. As unlike the PS5 and PS5 Digital Edition, it'due south actually very like shooting fish in a barrel for a casual observer to tell apart the newest Xbox consoles at a glance. The Xbox Series X is a large blackness cuboid, featuring an optical disc drive on the front of the unit of measurement. You might call up information technology looks a bit like a mini fridge, then does Microsoft, equally the visitor actually launched an Xbox Series 10 mini fridge to capitalize on the jokes surrounding its appearance.

The Xbox Serial S is a much sleeker model. It's the brand's smallest console to engagement, featuring a clean, matte white stop and a smaller rectangular build.

The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's powerhouse for this generation of consoles. Information technology'southward capable of outputting a 4K resolution at a buttery smooth 60fps (frames per second), and select games support 120fps, ordinarily at a lower resolution to compensate. A 12 teraflops processor and 1TB SSD (solid country bulldoze) likewise permit for lighting fast load times, plenty of storage, and much easier handling of intensive post-processing effects, such every bit particles or reflections.

The Xbox Series S, meanwhile, is a decidedly less powerful console than its sibling. However, it's withal absolutely worth buying in 2022, largely thank you to its lower price signal and more reliable availability, making information technology a fantastic entry point into the Xbox ecosystem.

The Xbox Series Southward is a digital-simply panel, and so physical discs tin can't exist used. Additionally, it has a smaller 512GB SSD and a less powerful processor, and 4K support is rare, with most games instead ranging between 1080p and 1440p resolution. Notwithstanding, the SSD is identical to that of the one found in the Xbox Series 10, meaning you're still getting supremely fast load times across your games.

Which Xbox Series console should I buy?

A couple of factors to consider when choosing which of the newest Xbox consoles to buy are toll and availability. Your preferred Xbox Serial console will largely come down to your upkeep and / or willingness to await on new stock.

That'due south considering the Xbox Series X is ofttimes fairly difficult to come by, thanks in large role to the ongoing global chip shortages that aren't just affecting availability of Xbox Series X and PS5, but likewise PC graphics cards and servers needed for online games.

Fifty-fifty if you lot practice accept an piece of cake time finding Xbox Serial X stock, its higher price tag is another matter. At $499 / £449, it's certainly the more premium of Microsoft'due south ii current-gen machines.

The Xbox Series South is a good bargain cheaper at $299 / $249, making it a fantastic selection if y'all want an easier way to explore the Xbox ecosystem, and get admission to services similar the fantastic Xbox Game Laissez passer. The Xbox Serial S, by and large, is too much easier to buy thanks to a more reliable level of availability at online retailers.

where to buy Xbox Series X UK — (Image credit: Microsoft)

At present that you understand which Xbox is the newest, and how to differentiate the Xbox Series X/S from the older Xbox I line-upwards of consoles, yous should be better prepared to make an informed purchase on the right Xbox model for y'all or your gift recipient.

Recall that while Microsoft retains its X/Southward naming convention usage, the key signifier here is the use of "Serial" over "One" - with the sometime classification representing the newest and best that the Xbox brand has to offer.

You may also come across special edition consoles online or on the high street, such equally the Halo Space Xbox Series X. While these are usually limited and thus much harder to buy, merely know that if yous do spot 1, the only big difference will usually be the exterior'south design.

Otherwise, all you demand to know when shopping for the newest Xbox is to go along an center out for that "Serial" moniker. And so, once you've figured out whether the Xbox Series Ten and Xbox Series S better fit your budget and preferences, you'll have effortlessly bought yourself i of the latest and greatest Xbox consoles on the market today.

Xbox Series X vs Xbox Serial S: which Xbox is right for y'all?

Rhys is a Staff Author for TechRadar, and while relatively fresh to the role, he's been writing in a professional capacity for years. A Media, Writing and Production graduate, Rhys has prior experience creating written content for HR companies, restaurants, app developers, Information technology sites and toy sellers. His true passions, though, lie in video games, Tv set, sound and home entertainment. When Rhys isn't on the clock, y'all'll normally detect him logged into Final Fantasy xiv.