The Xbox One S is official. Microsoft kicked off its Xbox media event of the year earlier today at E3, Los Angeles by introducing the Xbox One’s younger cousin with a brief video outlining the new console’s salient features and announcing its availability in August, starting at $299. Slimmer, smaller and more powerful than its predecessor, the Xbox One S upgrade is identical to the one in the image leaked to the web just hours before the official reveal.
Here’s everything you need to know about Microsoft’s 2016 Xbox One S.
Design
The new updated console model comes with a redesigned form factor in a new, elegant “robot white” color shade. It is also slimmer, and overall 40% smaller than its predecessor, as can be seen in image comparison to the original 2013 Xbox One model below. Like the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 4, the new Xbox One S can also be set down horizontally or propped up vertically (finally!), whichever way you may prefer, with the help of an official accessory stand that will be sold separately to the console by Microsoft.
Features
As was expected, the Xbox One S offers support for 4K video playback, which means you can finally ditch that Blu-ray player that you barely use and stream Ultra HD content from the likes of Netflix and Amazon Video right on your console. Also mentioned at the event was HDR (High Dynamic Range) support for games. This addition will allow certain games to offer greater detail and more realistic visuals by expanding the contrast ratio between light and dark areas.
The console will come in 2TB, 1TB and 500GB variants when it goes on sale this fall, and will support all Xbox One games and Xbox Live services.
Other changes include an integrated power supply, and relocation of the pairing button as well as one USB port to the front of the device, which also houses a new IR blaster. As per the growing trend in commercial electronics these days, the Kinect port has been removed from the rear of the device to shave off a few extra millimeters from its size. The Kinect Xbox accessory will now connect to the console through a USB adapter, which will be free for Xbox One and Kinect owners who opt for the Xbox One S upgrade.
The new Xbox Wireless Controller boasts a textured grip and improvements to wireless connectivity, which entail greater reliability, twice the range, and easier connection to Windows 10-toting devices through the use of newly added support for Bluetooth.
Price And Release Date
The Xbox One S goes on sale this August, starting with the 2TB launch edition, which has been priced at $399. The 1TB and 500GB variants will be hitting the shelves later with $349 and $299 price tags respectively.
The Xbox One Vertical Stand will, as mentioned earlier, be sold separately for $19.99.
The console will come packed with a new Xbox Wireless Controller. Buying additional controllers will cost customers the usual $59.99 a pop.
Lastly, any Xbox One S buyers who already own an Xbox One and Kinect will have the aforementioned Xbox Kinect Adapter packaged with their new console. We couldn’t find any information as to what the accessory will cost to new customers. It is likely the adapter will be part and parcel of new Kinect purchases.
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