Windows Central Verdict
The Xbox Series X hardware will not disappoint, at least for gaming.
It’s now 2025, and the Xbox Series X enters its fifth year of service.
How are we feeling about it several years later?
The Xbox Series X can be set both horizontally or vertically.
However, the tide is changing.
Although forBlack Friday and Cyber Monday, the Xbox Series X disc-based version is also $50 off.
But how has the hardware held up over the past few years?
At the back you get standard power, ethernet, two USB, a CFexpress expansion card slot, and HDMI 2.1 in. There’s also a Kensington lock port.
The answer to that isextremelywell.
Here’s an overview of the general hardware experience with the Xbox Series X.
When initially revealed, the Xbox Series X stunned the internet with its size.
The Xbox Series X uses CFExpress expansion storage cards, made by WD_Black and Seagate.
Not long after, we discovered that its primary competitor, the PS5, also sports a similar volume.
The boosted size is to accommodate boosted power, and a boosted need for boosted airflow (boosted).
We’ll discuss that a little more in a minute, though.
The Xbox Series X is comparatively cool when compared to other devices running 4K games in such a compact configuration.
I will say that the port layout is a little more irritating than the Xbox One generation.
The ports on the Series X are haphazardly stacked on top of each other rather than neatly lined up.
Additionally, if you’re using a setup that requires SPDIF optical audio, you’re similarly left out.
We’ll discuss some of the OS features in the next section, in more depth.
On the topic of ports, Microsoft opted for a novel solution method for expandable storage this time around.
These are quite pricy options, although they have seen their price points tumble nearly by half since launch.
Quick Resume lets you boot back into modern games like Atomfall almost instantly.
NVME storage gets warm in your PC or laptop as well.
Here’s a breakdown of the speed improvements for the NVME setup Microsoft has for the Xbox Series X.
From a hardware perspective, the Xbox Series X is the best console Microsoft has ever built.
The new Xbox Store is a big improvement over previous versions.
The air coming out of the top vent will be roughly 55C to 60C at any given time.
But, it’s hardly worth blaming Microsoft for the laws of thermodynamics.
It’s alsoquieter.The Xbox Series X makes virtually zero sound in operation, save for a quiet murmur.
The Xbox Series X|S dashboard has improved a fair bit since its original incarnation, but future Xbox consoles should probably prioritize speed and responsiveness.
My laptop gets far hotter while running games, as do last-gen Xbox One and PS4 systems.
But a video game console is far more than its design.
The Xbox Series X could be called an Xbox One X Pro, and you wouldn’t be wrong.
And that could be seen as both a good and a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
Xbox Series X media support largely nails the basics, but there are some caveats.
The Xbox Series X|S no longer have IR blasters for controlling external devices.
Gears of War 5 is absolutely stunning on the Xbox Series X.
HDMI pass-through has been removed, meaning it can no longer integrate with your cable TV delivery.
Even SPDIF optical audio has been removed, eliminating access to high-end sound systems or headphone setups.
The selection is pretty good these days.
Source: Matt Brown | Windows Central
The RAM allocation for apps is also a bit painful.
I suspect improving this experience will be high on the agenda with the next Xbox generation.
The save states even persist if your console is turned off.
Microsoft’s “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” won strong critical acclaim, but it’s no longer exclusive to Xbox.
it’s possible for you to store several games into quick resume simultaneously.
The Quick Resume feature has also been improved since its launch.
Some games will lose audio, for example, before being rebooted.
The Xbox Series X is the best Xbox ever made, but the competition for our free time is harder than ever.
Microsoft also refreshed the Xbox store’s design across the board, making it incredibly speedy in the process.
The Xbox Series X dashboard also sports Dynamic Themes, which are animated and stylish.
However, the dashboard still doesn’t support HDR as of writing.
This makes your TV flicker in some scenarios when switching between viewing modes.
It’s not a big deal unless your TV is particularly slow at flipping viewing modes.
And sure, various fan-favorite features from the old Xbox One days are still missing.
Picture-in-picture for media apps is still gone, which was pretty handy for grinding segments in certain games.
Most of these problems are small, though, and don’t really impact the overall experience.
We now have a dashboard that has boosted speed, usability, and gaming above all else.
Almost everybest Xbox accessoryand all of yourbest Xbox headsetscarry forward from the previous Xbox One generation, too.
Could it be better?
What about new games, though?
Alan Wake 2 is one such example.
The NVME SSD alone has massive implications for game development.
Fast traveling in open-world games has become near-instant, compared to the sluggish speeds of yesteryear.
Loading screens have become brief to the point of irrelevancy.
The vast majority of games we’ve tested see similar speed enhancements, too.
It’s true thatXbox has some incredible momentum going into 2025.
Microsoft also just completed an acquisition of Activision-Blizzard.
There is an elephant in the room, though.
Microsoft revealed last year that it will no longer be supporting Xbox exclusive gamesmoving forward.
But only time will tell.
Even Genshin Impact and Death Stranding, previous PlayStation exclusives, have hit Xbox in recent months.
As we head through 2025, though, Xbox’s future platform vision is coming into view.
Xbox Series X review: Final thoughts and summary
The Xbox Series X is a spectacular console.
You play lots of games, and like to be on the cutting edge.
You have a 4K TV set that supports HDMI 2.1 features like FreeSync and HDR10.
Xbox’s “no exclusive games” strategy concerns you for the future of the platform.
If you’re a hardcore Xbox gamer, you’re likely already sold on the Xbox Series X.
The Xbox Series X is the best video game console Microsoft ever made.
And honestly, it’s now my personal pick for the best console ever made.
Microsoft’s place in the gaming industry is often under a level of scrutiny that others often avoid.
Since the purchase of ZeniMax and Activision, Microsoft has been under a microscope more than ever before.
