It also bears a passing resemblance to Microsoft’s adaptive controller, which is boxy, white, and features two large black circular pads. This striking design choice has drawn comparisons to a speaker and a washing machine. The overall form factor of the Series S is similar to the Xbox One S, but the Series S lacks an optical drive and includes a massive circular vent on one side. It's smaller than the Xbox One S, and Microsoft bills it as 'our smallest Xbox ever.' That's especially noteworthy since Microsoft and Sony went exceptionally big with their flagship consoles, the Series X and PlayStation 5.

I had seen pictures and videos of the console and the spec sheet, but I was still surprised at how compact this thing was when I unboxed it. The Xbox Series S is small, and it's almost impossible to oversell that point.

Gamers looking for a 4K UHD in HDR experience will need to pay a premium for the Series X, but the Xbox Series S offers an enticing alternative if you’re looking to save some money or haven’t yet made the jump to 4K. This console is remarkably compact and has a surprisingly low price point. It plays all the same games as its more expensive counterpart and has similar hardware, but its reduced processing power limits graphical output to 1440p for the most part. The Xbox Series S is a low-cost alternative to the Xbox Series X, Microsoft’s flagship next-gen console.

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