Microsoft's packaging is simple with easy pull tabs that give way to the carefully wrapped Xbox Series X console, controller, HDMI 2.1 cable, a power cable.
Part of the reason why the Xbox Series X is so chunky is because it has an optical drive. If you've still got a love for Blu-rays, DVDs, or games on a physical disc, this is the Xbox to get. However, if you've already migrated your games and movies to digital, the Xbox Series S may be better, though it's only capable of performance at 1440p and not 4K at up to 120 fps.
The Xbox Series X has three USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports (one on the front and two on the back), an HDMI 2.1 out port, an Ethernet port and a Storage Expansion slot. I'm all for more USB ports, but I really wish at least some of them were USB-C ports instead of them all being USB-A. Even the PS5 has one USB-C port.
The Series X comes with an unassuming black HDMI cable. USE THIS ONE. It's tempting to simply use an HDMI cable you already have plugged into your TV. To ensure you're getting proper 4K resolution at 120 fps, use the HDMI that comes in the box. I know it's short, but unless you're sure your existing HDMI cable is capable of the higher resolution and frame rate, use the included one.
Compared to the last-gen Xbox One consoles, you'll notice the Series X doesn't have a Kinect, HDMI In, or Optical Audio ports. Nixing the first two ports makes sense considering Kinect is no more and connecting a cable TV box into the Xbox wasn't popular. But removing the Optical Audio port has upset some people. Xbox boss Phil Spencer explained why.
“We also, frankly, know how many people use it today on the console. So I know you do, but we see it. So we also kind of do the math of we have to put a part in every console that X percent of people use, is there a better place for us to spend that money if we can support it in different ways.”
The Xbox Series X controller isn't very different from Xbox One gamepad. It largely looks and feels the same with a few subtle tweaks. The triggers have a dotted pattern for more grip, the D-pad is more ergonomic for your thumb (great for fighting games), and there's a Share button.
All of this power translates to bigger and prettier games that run at 4K resolution with up to 120 fps in HDR. Most games will run at 60 fps, but game developers can unlock higher frame rates should they choose to. The Series X also supports HDR at up to 8K resolution, but let's be real: 8K TVs are still way too expensive for everyone.
We're nowhere near close to unlocking the full capabilities of the Xbox Series X. We've got tons of games to test in the coming months, backward compatibility performance to critique, and so much more. And does Xbox's launch really count until Halo Infinite comes out in 2021?
We'll have more thoughts and deeper dives on the Xbox Series X and its launch games in the coming days and weeks. In the meantime, unless you have to have ray-tracing and the faster game loading times, there aren't many exclusive launch titles that aren't also coming out on Xbox One to justify the Series X yet. And that's OK! Microsoft doesn't really care whether you play games on Xbox Series X, S, Xbox One consoles, on PC, or via Android. That's the beauty of Xbox's cross-platform strategy: games work on whatever device you want to play on.
Looking for more gadget reviews? Check out these 🔥 stories:
📸 Pixel 5 vs. iPhone 12: Which takes better night photos?
📲 9 key iPhone 12 and 12 Pro differences you need to know
👾 Cyberpunk 2077 OnePlus 8T is the sickest phone collab of 2020