Our verdict
The Xbox Series X is Microsoft's most powerful console. TechRadar lists a custom 8-core Zen 2 processor, a 12-teraflop RDNA 2 graphics chip and 16GB of fast memory. Its 1TB custom NVMe SSD (solid-state drive) loads games quickly, though TechRadar lists 802GB as usable after the system takes its share. It plays games at 4K and 60 frames a second, with up to 120 frames a second in supported games, which needs a TV with an HDMI 2.1 port. Quick Resume lets you jump back into suspended games without a loading screen, and a 4K Blu-ray drive plays discs. We checked £669 for the 1TB disc console on 1 August 2026.
Buy it if
- You want the most powerful Xbox with a disc drive and a large SSD
- You have a 4K TV, ideally with HDMI 2.1 for 120Hz play
- You like resuming games instantly with Quick Resume
Skip it if
- You mostly want PlayStation exclusives
- You do not have a 4K TV and only play casually
- You want to avoid ongoing costs for games and subscriptions
How it would fit your home
4K gaming on a modern TV
With an HDMI 2.1 port on your TV, supported games can run at up to 120 frames a second. On an older TV you still get 4K at 60 frames a second.
Switching between games
Quick Resume keeps several games suspended so you can jump back in seconds. It suits anyone who plays in short bursts.
Physical discs and older games
The 4K Blu-ray drive plays game discs and 4K films. Backward compatibility means many games from earlier Xbox generations run on it.
The details, in plain English
Performance
TechRadar lists a custom Zen 2 processor with eight cores running at 3.8GHz, and a custom RDNA 2 graphics chip rated at 12 teraflops, a measure of raw graphics speed. With 16GB of GDDR6 memory, the console targets 4K at 60 frames a second, and up to 120 in games that support it. Frame rate means how many pictures are shown each second: more looks smoother and feels more responsive. Not every game uses these top modes.
Storage and load times
The 1TB custom NVMe SSD is much faster than a traditional hard drive, so games load quickly and Quick Resume can hold several suspended games. TechRadar lists about 802GB as usable after the system reserve, and modern games can be very large, so it fills faster than you expect. TechRadar found the official expansion card expensive when it reviewed the console.
Picture and sound
To get 120 frames a second you need a TV with an HDMI 2.1 port, according to TechRadar. The console supports Dolby Vision, a format that adjusts brightness scene by scene, for streaming and gaming, and Dolby Atmos through a compatible headset or soundbar. Our existing notes also list 8K output, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos and 3D spatial sound; check those against your TV and sound system.
Games and ownership costs
Game Pass, Microsoft's subscription, offers a library of games, including first-party titles from release day. TechRadar found the exclusive line-up smaller than PS5's at launch. Backward compatibility brings older games across, with Smart Delivery sharing the right version between console generations. Prices for Game Pass change, so check the current cost.
Strengths and drawbacks
What it does well
- 1TB custom NVMe SSD, with about 802GB usable according to TechRadar, for a large game library
- 16GB of memory and a 12-teraflop graphics chip for 4K gaming
- 4K at 60 frames a second, and up to 120 in supported games on an HDMI 2.1 TV
- Quick Resume returns you to a suspended game without a loading screen
- 4K Blu-ray drive, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
What to watch out for
- Games, subscriptions and extra storage all add to the real cost
- TechRadar noted a smaller exclusive line-up than PS5 at launch
- Not every game supports 120 frames a second or full 4K
- Storage expansion cards were expensive at TechRadar's review
- The matte black finish shows scuffs easily, says TechRadar
At £669 for the 1TB disc console, the Series X is compared on storage, disc support, the available game library and likely extra costs, not only the price of the box. Compare it with the PS5 if exclusives matter to you, and confirm the price before buying.
Make the Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB easier to live with
Add-ons that answer a drawback we named above. Check compatibility with your exact model before buying.
Solves: techRadar lists about 802GB as usable after the system reserve, and modern games can be very large, so it fills faster than you expect.
Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S, 1TB Not yet reviewed by us
Adds game storage to address the review’s named usable-space limit. It does not solve the separate warning that expansion cards cost extra.
Check first: This is the Xbox expansion-card system, not a generic USB SSD.
Alternatives we have reviewed
| Product | Our verdict | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
 Microsoft Xbox Series X 1TB (this one) | Worth considering as a powerful, quiet console with a disc drive and a large SSD, if you accept that games, subscriptions and storage add to the cost. | £669.99RRP · 1TB disc console, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Microsoft Xbox Series X Digital Edition | The best console for anyone happy to pay for Game Pass and buy everything digitally, but it locks you out of discs for good | £619.99RRP · 1TB storage, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Microsoft Xbox Series S 512GB | A low-cost way into current Xbox games if you are happy to buy digitally and add storage later, but not the one to pick if you want native 4K or discs. | £429.99RRP · 512GB digital console, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
 Sony PlayStation 5 Slim (Disc Edition) | The safest conventional console for most game-first households, especially if you want to buy, borrow or resell games on disc, though Sony says new games will be digital only from January 2028. | £569.99RRP · disc drive, RRP recorded 12 Oct 2026 | Check price |
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Where our findings come from
Research-based review. We have not tested this console ourselves. Specifications and findings come from TechRadar's review and Microsoft's product information, and are theirs, not ours. Other listed sources cover PEGI age labels and Ofcom online safety information.