Xbox Series X specs, release date and price
Even though the Xbox One X can still be seen as a high-end, aspirational console, its replacement is on the horizon.
Formerly known as Project Scarlett, the Xbox Series X is being touted as Microsoft's "fastest, most powerful console ever" - echoing similar phrasing used prior to the launch of the One X in 2017.
However, unlike the One X, the Xbox Series X will be a next-generation machine through and through - designed to take gaming forward and directly rival the PlayStation 5.
So, here is everything you need to know on the next-gen Xbox games console.
Xbox Series X development and design
First teased in 2018, Xbox Series X was officially unveiled at The Game Awards on 12 December 2019.
It had previously been called Project Scarlett, when talked about in rumours and by Xbox boss Phil Spencer during E3 2019, but the official, final name is now nailed on. As is the design, which was also revealed in December.
The monolithic stack, which more resembles a mini-tower PC than a traditional games console, can be stood on its end vertically or placed horizontally - presumably to fit in a TV stand or AV rack.
It is stark and aesthetically more practical than pretty. We expect the grille at the top/right-hand side to be primarily used for heat dissipation, as the rumoured inner hardware will need plenty of cooling during operation.
A new Xbox Wireless Controller will also be released with the Xbox Series X, which comes with a new Share button in the middle and a similar D-pad disc to the one found on both the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 1 and 2.
What hasn't yet been confirmed is whether there will be a second, cheaper Xbox Series console in 2020, as previously rumoured.
It has often been reported that a second next-generation Xbox is in the works too, codenamed Lockheart - thought to be the natural successor to the Xbox One S.
Xbox Series X specs
While we now know what it looks like, we still don't know the full spec list for the Xbox Series X.
However, during the E3 2019 Xbox media briefing, Microsoft engineers revealed some interesting key details on Project Scarlett's hardware. And, more information has emerged here and there since.
For example, it was confirmed that the new console will utilise the latest chipsets and architecture from AMD - something confirmed during The Game Awards, with the processing unit said to be based on the powerful Zen 2 Ryzen CPU and Radeon RDNA.
This makes sense, as Sony has also confirmed that the PlayStation 5 will sport an eight-core CPU based on AMD's 7nm process. Also, AMD was also the chip partner for Xbox One (check out our Xbox One S review) and Xbox 360.
It will reportedly have 12 teraflops of power, double that of the Xbox One X.
This will allow the machine to achieve up to 8K resolution and run games in up to 120 frames per second. It will also use the internal hardware for real-time ray-tracing, as seen on the high-end Nvidia graphics cards released in the last couple of years.
16 GB of GDDR6 RAM will be on board too, with 13GB set aside for gaming. And it will utilise an SSD (solid-state drive) for storage, although we don't yet know the final size.
The spec, claims Microsoft, will enable the new machine to be four times more powerful than the Xbox One X.
The rear ports of the console have now leaked courtesy of a prototype with an identification label - someone is going to be in trouble.
We guess these could still be subject to change though, as there's no USB-C present - surely Microsoft would move to the new standard for a next-gen Xbox?
Xbox Series X features
We haven't yet heard much on its feature set, although we do know one thing; Xbox Series X will be fully compatible with all Xbox One accessories, controllers and games.
We're also fairly sure that it will support Xbox Game Pass - Microsoft's game download subscription service - and Project xCloud - the company's cloud gaming platform.
Xbox Series X games
We now know that all Xbox Series X launch games will also work on the existing Xbox One console series as well as Windows 10.
The console will launch with Halo: Infinite, the latest chapter in the Halo series and the first for the next-generation console. So that will also be available on existing Xboxes and Windows and won't be a Series X exclusive.
In addition, a sequel to Ninja Theory's superb Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice was announced alongside the Series X. It will be heading to the console next year.
Indeed, a trailer for the game gives us a glimpse at what the new console is capable of, as all the footage was captured entirely in-engine. Stunning stuff, especially when viewed in 4K on YouTube.
Speaking to games industry publication MCV, the head of Xbox Game Studios, Matt Booty said of the backwards compatibility: "We want to make sure that if someone invests in Xbox between now and [Series X] that they feel that they made a good investment and that we’re committed to them with content."
It is also possible that the new games will be available immediately on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Xbox Series X release date
Xbox Series X will be available from "Holiday 2020" so expect a launch in November or very early December. A more precise date is likely to be announced at E3 2020 in June.
Xbox Series X price
The only indication of price is the tag slapped on the Xbox One X when it first launched.
That was around £430, so at least one version of the Xbox Series X will be around that or over for sure. Lockheart might cut back on some of the spec to hit a lower price point.
Liked this? Check out our guide to the latest PS5 rumours
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