How Xbox Series S works-Everything You need to know

How Xbox Series S works
Xbox Series S was released in 2020 and it has been really popular since then. It is a cheaper and less powerful version of the Microsoft’s most popular gaming console Xbox Series X. Microsoft release both of these consoles together.
Xbox Series S came after the Xbox One consoles, and as expected it has better performance, it is more powerful and has better graphics as well.
The Xbox Series S has a price tag of $300 which actually makes it very budget friendly. But price tag doesn’t explain the value of the console. There are a lot of concerns users have like how Xbox Series S works and what will be life span of this gaming console.
The future isn’t defined yet, so we tested the Xbox Series S in the present and are quite optimistic about the results. Apart from price and a few features, Xbox Series X is surely better than Xbox Series S. But this gaming console is also no less powerful or lacks in any way from its counterparts in the market.
Quick Overview of Xbox Series S
Xbox Series is one of the most beautifully designed gaming consoles. It is one of the most affordable and easy to find in the market consoles.
Design: The Xbox Series S is a small and compact console. It has a size of 10.8 x 5.9 x 2.6 inches only which is much smaller than Xbox One, Xbox Series X, PS5 and PS4. The console features a black and white design. It has a circular black vent on one side and rubber feet on both horizontal and vertical side, allowing it to be placed both ways. Its size is one of its most important selling points and it can easily fit in any gaming setup.
At the backside, you will find a set of ports which include an Ethernet port, two USB-S ports, an HDMI port, and a power port.
Interface: Before understanding the working of the gaming console, it is important to understand its design and interface. The interface of the Xbox Series S is very much similar to that of Xbox One.
Xbox Series S comes with a number of features ranging from Quick Resume to backwards compatibility.
Quick Resume: Quick Resume is one of the most impressive features of the Xbox Series S. this features allows you to suspend a good number of games, and switch between without having to restart or reload each game again and again. This feature can be used with about 4 to 5 games at a time. One thing about this feature is that it persists even after the console has been turned off.
Backward Compatibility: Xbox Series S offers a complete backwards compatibility with Xbox One apps. In addition to this, it is also compatible with a number of Xbox 360 and Xbox original titles.
Controller: The Xbox Series S comes with a controller which is identical to the Xbox one’s controller. It features an analog stick, a D-pad, four shoulder buttons, four front buttons, two option buttons and a power button.
However, it is exactly the same as the previous Xbox controllers and the difference can be felt only once you hold the controller. The controller doesn’t feature rechargeable batteries which is a drawback. It uses AA batteries.
How to Setup the Xbox Series S console
The Xbox Series S comes with the console, a power cord, Xbox wireless controller, and a high speed HDMI cable.
Once you have received the Xbox Series S console, the next question is where to place it? As said previously, the size of this console is pretty small and it fits most of the spaces.
Placement: The console can be placed vertically or horizontally. It is required to be placed on a stable surface, which has proper ventilation and doesn’t get exposed to direct heat. Another of the important things to keep in mind, while placing the console is to make sure that it has about 4 to 6 inches of clear space around it for ventilation purposes.
Setting up the console
- The console has a power cable port which is marked with a single raised dot. Connect the power cable to this port on the console.
- Connect the Power cable to a power outlet.
- Now for connecting the console to TV, use the provided HDMI cable. Plug the HDMI cable to the HDMI port which is marked with a single raised dash.
- The other end of the HDMI cable is to be connected to the HDMI port of the TV.
- To turn on the console, press the Xbox button
which can be found on the front side of the console.
- Now, open the Xbox app and complete the setup using the following steps:
- Open the Xbox app on your mobile, which can be downloaded from the App/Play store.
- Select Setup a console or search for “setup”.
- You will be seeing a code on the screen of your TV. Enter this code to connect to the Xbox app.
- To configure the console, follow the steps mentioned in the Xbox app. You will be required to verify or update the location and language.
- Connect the console to the Wi-Fi network and update the console.
- Sign-in and customize the settings of the console.
- Now you can connect the controller.
How to Connect the Xbox Series S Controller
The controller accompanied with the Xbox Series S isn’t rechargeable and is powered with 2 AA batteries. To connect the controller with the console follow the below mentioned simple steps:
- Insert 2 AA batteries in to the wireless Xbox controller.
- To turn on the controller press the Xbox button.
- To pair the controller with your controller follow these steps:
- Press and hold the Pair buttons on the console as well as the controller.
You will the pair buttons at the front of the console and on the back of the controller.
Xbox Series S Games
Since we have discussed the setup of the Xbox Series S controller and the console, we will now take a look at the games offered by this console.
Fortunately, the Xbox Series S can play the same games as the Xbox Series X console. Obviously, the performance will be different as the latter is more powerful.
One thing to note is that the Xbox Series S doesn’t have a disk drive. This means even it has 100% backward compatibility, it will only support the digital titles.
The Xbox Series S offers Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription service. Xbox Series S excels in this subscription. This service allows you to download more than 100 hit games with just a single monthly fee which usually ranges between $5 and $15. This service will allow you to play games like Halo and Gears of War series, Minecraft, The Outer Worlds, Sea of Thieves, Golf with Friends, Alan Wake and many more.
If you get the ultimate subscription of the Game Pass, you will also be able to download many of these games on your PC or stream many of these games on your Android device.
How Xbox Series S Works-Frequently Asked Questions
Does Xbox Series S require subscription?
Xbox systems, such as the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, no longer require Xbox Live Gold for free-to-play games. Free-to-play games on earlier hardware, such as the Xbox One S and original Xbox One, do not require an Xbox Live Gold subscription.
How do I get games on my Xbox Series S?
Simply navigate the specials and product pages in the Store app to buy a game from the Microsoft Store on your console. Go to xbox.com/games, search for the game you want, and click “buy” to make an online purchase from your desktop or mobile device.
Can you play Xbox Series S without Xbox Live?
Yes, you can play free online multiplayer games without subscribing to Xbox Live Gold membership. Overall, this implies that playing online with your buddies is no longer required for more than 50 free-to-play games.
How many games can the Xbox Series S hold?
The Series S can only carry a maximum of 10 games with an average size of 30–50GB each, and even that is pushing it. For players who participate in larger games, this number decreases even further.
What do I need with Xbox Series S?
An Xbox Series S console, controller, High Speed HDMI cable, and power wire are all included with the Xbox Series S. To complete the experience, you can add stand-alone purchases of Xbox Game Pass and the Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S.
Can I transfer my disc games to Xbox Series S?
For Xbox Series X|S, backward compatibility has been increased. Thousands of digital and disc-based games are currently playable on all four Xbox generations. Purchase them from the Microsoft Store or use an old DVD. All of the games and apps you own that are accessible for download can be found in My games & apps.
Is there a way to play disc games on Xbox Series S?
On the Xbox Series S, you cannot play physical games using an external disc drive. You couldn’t attach an external disc drive to your console if you bought one.
Can you play 2 players on Xbox Series S?
Yes, 2 players can play on Xbox Series S. To play two players split screen ensure that both of the controllers are recognized by the console and the light of the Xbox symbol is lit on both.
Does Xbox Series S have WIFI?
Yes, the Xbox Series S is has Wi-Fi and is compatible with Wi-Fi signals up to 802.11 dual band.
Can I use Xbox One controller on Xbox Series S?
Yes, you can use the Xbox One controller with Xbox Series S. Simply plug the Xbox One controller top the Series S console.
How Xbox Series S Works-Conclusion
The Xbox Series S is the perfect gaming console for young gamers under a budget. It has some amazing features with a great performance. The Xbox Series S is a simple to use console. The setup is simple and straightforward and is very similar to the previous models.
If you are a new user and wondering how Xbox Series S works, this is the perfect article for you. You will understand the setup of not only the console but the controllers as well. If you wish to avail some extra features like having a high 4k resolution, then there is no way of achieving this with the Xbox Series S and it is recommended to move to the better and more powerful console of Microsoft which is the Xbox Series X.
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