Slimmer Xbox One S does 4K and HDR, brings 2TB storage, new controller

By Dave Palmer and Kyle Wiggers Updated April 25, 2023

It’s official: Microsoft is releasing a slimmer, sleeker edition of its Xbox One hardware. Less than 24 hours before images of the so-called Xbox One S leaked in an advertisement, Microsoft formerly unveiled the compact console at its E3 press conference in Los Angeles. The highlights? It’s smaller, features a “slimmer,” stark white design and bigger hard drive, and supports high dynamic range (HDR) and 4K.

The Xbox One S is an evolution of Xbox One’s design: it also features a half-patterned exterior with prominent black accents. But unlike the first-gen Xbox One, the S can stand vertically and has a footprint a full “40 percent” smaller than its predecessor. Plus, it ships with a matching white controller that has subtle improvements over the current model: a textured grip, increased wireless range, and support for Bluetooth.

Recommended Videos

That’s not all the Xbox One S is packing. The new and improved console boasts a more practical 2TB hard drive that provides significantly more digital storage space than the current, 500GB model — welcome news considering the tendency of modern, graphics-heavy games to devour vast amounts of storage space. Another welcome change? The power supply for the Xbox One S is built into the console itself, which means no more bulky cords to keep furniture from pushing all the way against the wall — a constant annoyance from previous models.

On the software side of things, the Xbox One S’s headlining feature is support for 4K Ultra HD (UHD) resolution video and HDR. 4K, for point of comparison, is four times the resolution of a standard HD, 1080p TV, and has only slightly less visual quality than the Digital Cinema 4K at a modern movie theater. HDR, meanwhile, preserves the color and contrast of digital video, and gives a true-to-life and immersive feel. The Xbox One S won’t deliver the same experience on all hardware, though — you’ll need a TV or monitor that has 4K UHD and/or HDR capabilities to take advantage.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The Xbox One S retails for about $300 — the price of the current-gen Xbox One. It will go on sale in August.

Updated on 06-13-2016 by Kyle Wiggers: Added official Xbox One S launch details.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Dave’s technology geek-fest began with the classic Commodore 64 computer, which started a lifelong passion for all things…

Gaming

These 4 tips will help you max out your Xbox One controller’s battery life

Xbox One Recon Tech Controller

The Xbox One gamepad might be the best feature of Microsoft’s last-generation console, which makes the fact that it works on the Xbox Series X and S even better. Its comfortable triggers, easy-to-reach analog sticks, and, most importantly, energy-efficient design allow you to play games for weeks on end without having to swap out your batteries. Eventually, though, your controller is going to die -- and, likely, your character along with it-- and you’re going to have to replace those AAs if you want to continue gaming.

Thankfully, we're here to point out what works and what doesn’t when it comes to your battery life, so you can keep yourself in the game with minimal interruption.

Gaming

PS4 Slim vs. Xbox One S: Spec comparison

Xbox One S

Although we're not far from getting new, next-gen consoles, waiting to buy older hardware like the Xbox One S or PlayStation 4 Slim can be a fantastic way to save money. Microsoft and Sony's consoles have been fighting for the right to be the centerpiece of your media center for nearly two decades at this point. You may have friends who swear by the Xbox One and others who champion the PS4. Many of the same games come to both consoles, and it's often hard to tell the difference between them based on gameplay alone. When it comes to PS4 Slim vs. Xbox One S, how do you know which console to choose?

Firstly, you want to know that the Xbox One S and PlayStation 4 Slim -- both mid-generation redesigns -- are currently the standard hardware for their respective platforms. If you are dipping your toes in this generation of gaming for the first time today, your choice will likely come down to one of these two. While they offer similar experiences, both devices have their own strengths and weaknesses that could sway your decision. From specs to design to features to price, we've broken down every factor to help you decide between Xbox One S and PlayStation 4 Slim.

Gaming

Here’s every Xbox One X Enhanced game that supports 4K resolution

The Xbox One X clocks in as the most powerful video game console ever created. To maximize its increase in power, a number of games have received dedicated patches optimizing them for 4K visuals and better performance. These games, which Microsoft calls Xbox One X Enhanced, are the best showpieces for your new Xbox One X hardware, especially if you're pairing it with a 4K TV.

In addition to running in 4K, Xbox One X Enhanced games come with other clear upgrades. Players with 1080p resolution screens get supersampling on all games, which means the 4K games will still look better on your 1080p HDTV, even if it doesn't support 4K. Enhanced games also feature faster load times and better frame rates all around, all of which should alleviate a few long-standing criticisms of the Xbox One.