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Xbox One S Review: More Than Just A Console

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Xbox One S Review: More Than Just A Console


Michael Grothaus

21/02/2017 – 6:07pm

It’s Microsoft’s best-engineered console yet, this is our review of the XBOX ONE S!

£249.00

It’s a rare feat that a company could drum up excitement around a repackaged almost-four-year-old games console, but that’s exactly what Microsoft has done with the Xbox One S. First announced early last year and then finally shipping last autumn, the Xbox One S served as a rebranding and redesign for Microsoft’s signature entertainment device.

To be fair, Microsoft warned everyone that they shouldn’t expect to see any performance improvements in the Xbox One S over its predecessor–but they also were pretty damn confident that that really didn’t matter, because they believed everyone was going to lose their $#!T over its new design.

I’ve spent the past few months playing around with the Xbox One S. So, has this not-quite-next-gen console impressed? Is it that much better than the original Xbox One? And should you get it, or hold out for Microsoft’s next Xbox console, codenamed Scorpio, which is coming in late 2017? Here’s our review.

Xbox One S review: Specs and Performance

First things, first, let’s get the specs and performance out of the way. The Xbox One S features a 1.75GHz AMD 8-core CPU, a 914 MHz AMD Radeon GCN, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and comes in 500GB or 1TB storage options (as well as a limited launch edition 2TB model, which you may still be able to find online). Given that this is seen as the successor to the original Xbox One, you might be surprised to learn that you’ll see virtually no horsepower difference between the One and One S.

Yes, technically it does have a slightly faster CPU and better GPU, but even Microsoft has said the improvements are so minute they will have “literally no impact” on gaming.

And that’s been pretty much my experience. I saw no difference in playing a huge open world multiplayer like Star Wars Battlefront on my brother’s original Xbox One and on my Xbox One S. But then again, Microsoft warned I wouldn’t, so this wasn’t a letdown. While it’s true the Xbox One S adds support for HDR gaming, you need to have both games and a television that support HDR. But I’ll get to that in a bit. For now, I want to move on to one of the biggest features of the Xbox One S–its design.

Xbox One S review: Design

This is where the Xbox One S really shines. Microsoft deserves a round of applause for the design of the Xbox One S. Physically speaking, it’s gorgeous. It’s not an easy feat to design a white entertainment device that doesn’t look like a bad ripoff of an Apple product, but Microsoft has done it.

The Xbox One S is beautiful and thin and a staggeringly 40% smaller than its predecessor. This is all the more amazing considering that Microsoft found a way to build in the power supply that used to reside in the external power brick. That’s right, the Xbox One S simply has a thin power cord that runs from it to the wall…just like your lamp.

But what I found myself loving even more than its beautiful, small design was the fact that the Xbox One S can now stand vertically. This gives you entire new options of fitting the Xbox into your current entertainment center setup. It’s ability to stand vertically does require that you buy an optional £15 stand, but the stand is some high-quality engineering, which feel solid and robust and won’t even cause your Xbox One S to wobble–not even a little.

The ability to stand the Xbox One S vertically also gives you a chance to show off the Xbox One S’s design a little better, if that’s your thing. You can, of course, choose to lay it horizontally if you want.

Even after owning the Xbox One S for a few months now, I’m still impressed with its design, especially whenever I go to a friend’s flat and they have the original Xbox One–the old thing just looks unwieldy and bulky now.

Xbox One S review: 4K, Blu-Ray, and HDR

Moving on from its design, two big new features of the Xbox One S include support for 4K, a built-in Blu-ray player, and HDR. Let’s tackle these one at a time…

First, know that the Xbox One S doesn’t support native 4K gaming. That’s a bummer, I know, because the PS4 does. On the Xbox One S, games will only be upscaled to 4K resolution–they won’t be true 4K. Though this can make some games look a bit better, if you have a 4K television, upscaling is no substitute for full 4K gaming. If you want that, you’re going to have to wait for Scorpio.

But while the Xbox One S may not offer native 4K gaming support, it does offer native 4K streaming support and also supports 4K Blu-ray discs. The built-in 4K Blu-ray player, which supports UHD Blu-ray playback (4K Blu-ray discs) is particularly nice as it saves you from having to go out and buy a dedicated 4K Blu-ray player. It’s also nice that you can now use the Xbox to stream 4K video from supported providers including Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Video, and a few others. However, the drawback here is that you won’t get to see the Xbox One S’s 4K benefit if you don’t own a 4K telly. But at least it’s ready for when you do get one.

The Xbox One S also allows for high-dynamic-range (HDR) color support for games. So, if the developers take advantage of HDR in their games, those games on the Xbox One S will have brighter whites, deeper blacks and more natural colors. There are some games, such as Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3, that offer HDR support, and if your game does, I’m pleased to say you will notice a difference in color quality on the same game played on an Xbox One S versus an Xbox One. However, just as with 4K video, you need to make sure your telly supports HDR, if not, you won’t see a lick of difference in color quality.

Xbox One S review: Controller

The Xbox One S’s design improvements aren’t limited to the console itself. The controller has gotten some nice evolutionary upgrades as well. For starters, the included controller now comes in white to match the Xbox One S’s body. It also feature a new textured grip, which makes it a lot easier to hold while playing long gaming sessions.

The new controller works via Xbox Wireless and also, for the first time ever, Bluetooth. This means that the controller can also be used with other PCs, smartphones, and tablets that support Bluetooth controllers. This is a HUGe benefit for gamers who might like to use their Xbox controller with a Windows 10 game. We’re so glad Microsoft added Bluetooth support–it goes to show just how much thought they put into packing as many missing features from the original Xbox One into the S. And they didn’t stop there: the new controller also has twice the range of the original Xbox One controller, thank to, yep, the Bluetooth connection.

The one thing I really wish Microsoft would have done with the controller is to add a built-in mic so you could issue voice commands or chat to your friends without needing an optional headset. I imagine it would have been no problem for Microsoft to added a mic button that, when pressed, allows you to give the Xbox voice commands or operate Cortana–just like the mic button on the Apple TV remote allows you to operate Siri. Well, perhaps Microsoft is saving such a feature for the Scorpio controller.

Xbox One S review: Kinect and Remotes

One thing you may not like about the Xbox One S is that Microsoft decided to ditch the dedicated Kinect port. Yep, if you have a Kinect and want to use it with your new Xbox One S you’ll need to buy a Kinect-to-USB adapter. However, as I was never a Kinect user, this doesn’t bother me one bit. Matter of fact, I think Microsoft choice of not offering a dedicated Kinect port shows you just where the company see the accessory heading: nowhere.

While the Kinect port may be gone, the Xbox One S gives you something better: an IR blaster. This means you can now configure your Xbox One S to turn on other devices including your TV, your cable box, and even your audio/video receiver. This small change really cements the Xbox One S’s place as the heart of your entertainment center. Now that your Xbox One S can control everything, is there any reason to have your television’s input set to any other device?

Xbox One S review: Price and Verdict

For being the best version of the Xbox ever, the Xbox One S’s price is pretty damn astounding. It’s only £249 for the 500GB version–though you can often find it for up to £40 cheaper via various bundle and online deals–and only £299 for the 1TB edition. You can still find places that sell the 2TB edition for £399 as well.

I won’t lie: I love the Xbox One S. It’s become the home entertainment device I use most often, thanks to its new IR blaster that allows it to control all my other home entertainment peripherals. While the Xbox One S won’t wow you from a performance standpoint if you already own an Xbox One, its design is truly something to marvel at. And if you own a television capable of 4K and HDR video, it may be hard NOT to buy an Xbox One S even if you already own the previous gen box.

While there are some things to nitpick: the fact that the vertical stand is an extra add-on and the lack of a dedicated Kinect port, in the end, the Xbox One S just has too much to offer in too beautiful a package to say this is anything less than a five-star device and Microsoft best home entertainment product yet.

Michael Grothaus 21/02/2017 - 6:07pm

It’s Microsoft's best-engineered console but, that is our evaluate of the XBOX ONE S!

£249.00

It’s an extraordinary feat that an organization may just drum up pleasure round a repackaged almost-four-year-old video games console, however that’s precisely what Microsoft has completed with the Xbox One S. First introduced early remaining yr after which in spite of everything delivery final autumn, the Xbox One S served as a rebranding and redesign for Microsoft’s signature leisure software.

To be truthful, Microsoft warned everybody that they shouldn’t be expecting to peer any efficiency enhancements within the Xbox One S over its predecessor–however additionally they have been lovely rattling assured that that actually didn’t topic, as a result of they believed everybody used to be going to lose their $#!T over its new design.

I’ve spent the previous few months enjoying round with the Xbox One S. So, has this not-quite-next-gen console inspired? Is it that a lot better than the unique Xbox One? And will have to you get it, or grasp out for Microsoft’s subsequent Xbox console, codenamed Scorpio, which is coming in past due 2017? Right here’s our assessment.

Xbox One S evaluation: Specifications and Efficiency


First issues, first, let's get the specifications and function out of the best way. The Xbox One S includes a 1.75GHz AMD 8-core CPU, a 914 MHz AMD Radeon GCN, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and is available in 500GB or 1TB garage choices (in addition to a restricted release version 2TB type, which you should still be capable of in finding on-line). For the reason that that is noticed because the successor to the unique Xbox One, you may well be stunned to be informed that you simply’ll see nearly no horsepower distinction between the One and One S.

Sure, technically it does have a rather quicker CPU and higher GPU, however even Microsoft has stated the enhancements are so minute they're going to have "actually no have an effect on” on gaming.

And that’s been just about my revel in. I noticed no distinction in enjoying an enormous open global multiplayer like Megastar Wars Battlefront on my brother’s unique Xbox One and on my Xbox One S. However however, Microsoft warned I wouldn’t, so this wasn’t a letdown. Whilst it is true the Xbox One S provides reinforce for HDR gaming, you wish to have to have each video games and a tv that improve HDR. However I’ll get to that during a little. For now, I need to transfer directly to probably the most largest options of the Xbox One S–its design.

Xbox One S evaluate: Design


That is the place the Xbox One S in point of fact shines. Microsoft merits a spherical of applause for the design of the Xbox One S. Bodily talking, it is stunning. It’s no longer a very easy feat to design a white leisure software that doesn’t appear to be a nasty ripoff of an Apple product, however Microsoft has finished it.

The Xbox One S is lovely and skinny and a staggeringly 40% smaller than its predecessor. That is all of the extra superb making an allowance for that Microsoft discovered a strategy to construct within the energy provide that used to are living within the exterior energy brick. That’s proper, the Xbox One S merely has a skinny energy twine that runs from it to the wall…identical to your lamp.

However what I discovered myself loving much more than its stunning, small design used to be the truth that the Xbox One S can now stand vertically. This provides you with whole new choices of becoming the Xbox into your present leisure middle setup. It’s skill to face vertically does require that you simply purchase an not obligatory £15 stand, however the stand is a few top of the range engineering, which really feel forged and strong and gained’t even reason your Xbox One S to wobble–no longer even just a little.

The power to face the Xbox One S vertically additionally provides you with an opportunity to blow their own horns the Xbox One S’s design just a little higher, if that’s your factor. You'll be able to, in fact, make a selection to put it horizontally if you wish to have.

Even after proudly owning the Xbox One S for a couple of months now, I’m nonetheless inspired with its design, particularly each time I'm going to a chum’s flat and they have got the unique Xbox One–the previous factor simply seems unwieldy and hulking now.

Xbox One S assessment: 4K, Blu-Ray, and HDR

Shifting on from its design, two giant new options of the Xbox One S come with make stronger for 4K, a integrated Blu-ray participant, and HDR. Let's take on those separately…

First, know that the Xbox One S doesn’t fortify local 4K gaming. That’s a bummer, I do know, since the PS4 does. At the Xbox One S, video games will best be upscaled to 4K solution–they gained’t be true 4K. Even though this will make some video games glance a little higher, when you've got a 4K tv, upscaling isn't any exchange for complete 4K gaming. If you wish to have that, you’re going to need to stay up for Scorpio.

However whilst the Xbox One S would possibly not be offering local 4K gaming strengthen, it does be offering local 4K streaming beef up and in addition helps 4K Blu-ray discs. The integrated 4K Blu-ray participant, which helps UHD Blu-ray playback (4K Blu-ray discs) is especially great because it saves you from having to head out and purchase a devoted 4K Blu-ray participant. It’s additionally great that you'll be able to now use the Xbox to flow 4K video from supported suppliers together with Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Video, and a couple of others. On the other hand, the disadvantage here's that you simply gained’t get to peer the Xbox One S’s 4K get advantages for those who don’t personal a 4K television tube. However no less than it’s in a position for while you do get one.

The Xbox One S additionally lets in for high-dynamic-range (HDR) colour make stronger for video games. So, if the developers make the most of HDR of their video games, the ones video games at the Xbox One S could have brighter whites, deeper blacks and extra herbal colours. There are some video games, akin to Gears of Conflict 4 and Forza Horizon 3, that supply HDR enhance, and in case your recreation does, I’m happy to mention you'll realize a distinction in colour high quality at the similar recreation performed on an Xbox One S as opposed to an Xbox One. Then again, simply as with 4K video, you wish to have to ensure your television tube helps HDR, if no longer, you gained’t see a lick of distinction in colour high quality.

Xbox One S evaluate: Controller


The Xbox One S’s design enhancements aren’t restricted to the console itself. The controller has gotten some great evolutionary upgrades as smartly. For starters, the incorporated controller now is available in white to compare the Xbox One S’s frame. It additionally function a brand new textured grip, which makes it so much more uncomplicated to carry whilst enjoying lengthy gaming periods.

The brand new controller works by means of Xbox Wi-fi and in addition, for the primary time ever, Bluetooth. Which means the controller can be used with different PCs, smartphones, and pills that give a boost to Bluetooth controllers. This can be a HUGe get advantages for players who would possibly like to make use of their Xbox controller with a Home windows 10 recreation. We’re so satisfied Microsoft added Bluetooth improve–it is going to turn simply how a lot idea they put into packing as many lacking options from the unique Xbox One into the S. They usually didn’t prevent there: the brand new controller additionally has two times the variety of the unique Xbox One controller, thank to, yep, the Bluetooth connection.

The only factor I actually want Microsoft would have completed with the controller is to upload a integrated mic so you must factor voice instructions or chat for your pals without having an not obligatory headset. I believe it will were no drawback for Microsoft to added a mic button that, when pressed, lets you give the Xbox voice instructions or function Cortana–identical to the mic button at the Apple TV faraway permits you to function Siri. Smartly, most likely Microsoft is saving one of these function for the Scorpio controller.

Xbox One S assessment: Kinect and Remotes

One factor you would possibly not like concerning the Xbox One S is that Microsoft made up our minds to ditch the devoted Kinect port. Yep, when you've got a Kinect and need to use it together with your new Xbox One S you’ll want to purchase a Kinect-to-USB adapter. Then again, as I used to be by no means a Kinect consumer, this doesn’t trouble me one bit. Topic of reality, I feel Microsoft selection of no longer providing a devoted Kinect port presentations you simply the place the corporate see the accent heading: nowhere.

Whilst the Kinect port could also be long past, the Xbox One S will give you one thing higher: an IR blaster. This implies you'll be able to now configure your Xbox One S to activate different units together with your TV, your cable field, or even your audio/video receiver. This small exchange actually cements the Xbox One S’s position as the guts of your leisure middle. Now that your Xbox One S can regulate the entirety, is there any explanation why to have your tv’s enter set to some other software?

Xbox One S assessment: Worth and Verdict

For being the most productive model of the Xbox ever, the Xbox One S’s worth is lovely rattling astounding. It’s most effective £249 for the 500GB model–although you'll be able to incessantly in finding it for as much as £40 less expensive by means of more than a few package and on-line offers–and most effective £299 for the 1TB version. You'll be able to nonetheless in finding puts that promote the 2TB version for £399 as smartly.

I gained’t lie: I really like the Xbox One S. It’s turn into the house leisure software I exploit maximum regularly, because of its new IR blaster that permits it to regulate all my different house leisure peripherals. Whilst the Xbox One S gained’t wow you from a efficiency perspective in the event you already personal an Xbox One, its design is really one thing to wonder at. And in case you personal a tv able to 4K and HDR video, it can be onerous NOT to shop for an Xbox One S even though you already personal the former gen field.

Whilst there are a few things to nitpick: the truth that the vertical stand is an additional add-on and the loss of a devoted Kinect port, in spite of everything, the Xbox One S simply has an excessive amount of to provide in too stunning a package deal to mention that is anything else not up to a five-star software and Microsoft superb house leisure product but.

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