Update: You might be able to get the Xbox One S at a steep discount when it comes out in August.
When asked about if gamers would be able to trade up to an Xbox One S or Project Scorpio, the general manager of Xbox Services, Dave McCarthy told the Daily Star that “Some of our retail partners today do trade-in programs and that’s definitely going to be partnerships we continue to move going forward. We want to make that transition as smooth as possible.”
It’s unclear whether McCarthy was inferring a possible trade-in promotion Microsoft has planned or if he was just pointing out that gamers have an option when the next system comes out, but the statement shows that Microsoft is giving some thought to loyal gamers who want to stay ahead of the curve.
Original article below…
Microsoft has confirmed the existence of the Xbox One S, its souped-up new console which packs more power and less bulk.
Unfortunately for Microsoft the console leaked just hours ahead of its official reveal, but at least we can now put any lingering doubts to rest.
The S is 40% smaller than the standard Xbox One, with a new white case and porous new design – we’re nicknaming it ‘The Holey One’ – that also drops the bulky power block. Hooray!
Pricing will start at $299/£249 for the 500GB model, and it’ll be available in August. The 1TB version will cost $349/£299, and the 2TB monster will set you back $399/£349.
The real game-changer, of course, is the fact you can stand the console upright. What a time to be alive.
But enough about cosmetics: the new console will come with 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray support, and will be High Dynamic Range-compatible too.
The console will support the HDR10 standard of high dynamic range, so if your TV supports the technically more advanced Dolby Vision the Xbox One S will not be able to take full advantage of it.
The console’s 4K output isn’t just limited to video, the Xbox One S will also upscale regular HD video and games up to 4K.
Plus, it comes with a new wireless controller that features a textured grip, and a built-in IR blaster.
However, gone is the Kinect sensor port – if you want to use Kinect you’ll need a USB adapter – and in its place is a built-in IR blaster. “For fans that currently own a Kinect for Xbox One and plan to purchase the Xbox One S, we are offering a free Xbox Kinect Adapter,” says Microsoft.
How does it stand up against the PS4 Neo?
Of course, Sony has also confirmed that there’s an iterative PS4 update on the way – the long-rumored PS4 Neo (aka the PS4K). We don’t know what the console will be officially called, but Eurogamer reports it will also support 4K.
What’s slightly odd about the whole thing is that Phil Spencer recently said Microsoft would only move forward with a new console if it did so in “big numbers”.
“I want it to be a really substantial change for people – an upgrade,” he told Game Informer. The S is certainly an upgrade, but we wouldn’t call it a substantial one.
Alongside the HDR compatability, the One S also features a more powerful CPU and GPU than the standard Xbox One, which may result in higher framerates coming from some games. Whether this performance boost becomes widespread is unclear at this point, but Gears of War 4 apparently benefits from the upgraded hardware.
The Xbox One S should not be confused with Project Scorpio, which was announced by Microsoft as coming in late 2017. The company is promising that the new console will be the most powerful ever when it launches with six teraflops of graphical performance, nearly five times that of the current Xbox One.
In comparison the PlayStation Neo is said to pack a mere 4.14 teraflops of performance.
If you’re looking to upgrade your Xbox One, this might all mean that it’s worth holding off until next year.
Source: techradar.com
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Xbox 360 and PS3 before also had revisions that changed the insides a bit. This time however the changes in the Neo and to a much lesser extent the Xbox One S are a bit more extensive. The Scorpio is a new beast but thus far is not proven. It could be rejected and the whole 4K gaming thing could fall flat on its face. Same could happen to VR, so don't sweat it! Fun time to be a gamer!
Does the S model come with a SSD hybrid drive or is it a standard 5400RPM spinning drive?
"The S is certainly an upgrade, but we wouldn't call it a substantial one"
I have to respectfully disagree with this statement! The Xbox One S is not an upgrade, its a revision of the predecessor. Think of it the same as the OG Xbox 360 that was white with component video on launch, and the next revision was black with HDMI support. The PS3 also ended up with a slim model in its lifetime as well. This also happens with smartphones. iPhone 6 & iPhone 6 S the next year etc.
£199 by christmas? m$ like to f early adopters in the a
On that last line: "If you're looking to upgrade your Xbox One, this might all mean that it's worth holding off until next year".
Would you suggest this for an Xbox 360 user like me then? Do we know if it will be backwards compatible like the Xbox One is?
Unless you are going to be doing the whole 4K thing and VR is important, then I would say the S is the one to get now, then look at the the Scorpio S down the road, I'm sure it will happen!
On the 4th paragraph I think you meant 1TB. Great article otherwise, I hate the fact consoles feel the need for an upgrade after only 4 years, they say it is not and that games will support both but that is only true for now. Soon enough (1year maybe) they will feel that the original consoles are a hindrance and instead of working around it they will give it up.
Thank you for the advice! I'm not doing VR or 4K anytime soon. So I'll stick to the Xbox One Slim!