Xbox Series S: price, games, release date, specs, pre-order details - and how it compares to Xbox Series X

Microsoft has confirmed it will release a second next generation console.

The tech giant confirmed that it would launch the budget Xbox Series S following a supposed leak of details.

The console’s unexpected release along with its budget price have turned the heads of gamers who have been waiting expectantly for details on the Xbox Series X and Sony’s rival console the PS5.

The machine has been labelled “the smallest Xbox ever” by Microsoft.

How much does it cost?

Perhaps what’s most surprising about the Xbox Series S is its relatively low cost.

The console will retail for just £250 in the UK - £200 cheaper than the Xbox Series X.

The device will also be made available through its Xbox All Access programme, allowing players to split the cost across 24 months from £20.99 a month with no upfront cost, which includes Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Xbox Live to play online included.

Release date and pre-order details

The Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X will both be released on November 10.

Avid gamers will be able to pre-order the console later this month on September 22.

What’s the difference between the Series S and the Series X?

Microsoft has promised that both consoles are designed around the same technology, but the Series S will have lower performance.

But that £200 has to be made up somewhere.

Industry rumours suggest that the smaller S console will only be able to run digital downloads ruling out the use of discs.

It is also thought that the console will possess a slightly less powerful graphics card, meaning it won’t be able to run top spec games at higher resolutions.

The smaller console will also have smaller storage than its sibling console.

Specs comparison

A glance at the Xbox Series S specs shows impressive figures, but they are dwarfed by those of the Xbox Series X.

Xbox Series S

Frame rate: Up to 120 fps

Resolution: 1440p with 4K upscaling

Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD

Xbox Series X

Frame rate: Up to 120 fps

Resolution: Up to 8K

Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD

What games will I be able to play?

A new partnership with video game-maker Electronic Arts will bring more than 60 of the firm’s “biggest and best console and PC games” to Xbox Game Pass at no additional cost.

On release day, users will be able to buy and play next-gen versions of Gears Tactics, Tetris Effect: Connected, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, and Watch Dogs: Legion.

Other confirmed releases include: Halo Infinite, Cyberpunk 2077, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2, Outriders and The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.