Tag: Xbox Series S

  • Microsoft Increases Prices for Xbox Series X, Series S, and Games

    Microsoft Increases Prices for Xbox Series X, Series S, and Games

    Key Takeaways

    1. Xbox console prices have significantly increased, with the Series S now at $379.99 and the Series X at $599.99.
    2. Additional console variants, including the 1 TB Series S and the Xbox Series X Digital, also saw price hikes, reaching up to $729.99 for the 2 TB Galaxy Black Series X.
    3. International pricing has risen, with the Series S priced at £299.99 in the UK and €349.99 in Europe, while the Series X costs €599.99 or £499.99.
    4. First-party game prices will increase from $69.99 to $79.99, and accessories like the Xbox controller and wireless headset have also been marked up.
    5. These price increases follow a drop in Xbox hardware sales, amidst rising production costs due to tariffs on imports from China.

    Xbox console sales are facing challenges, yet Microsoft is raising prices significantly. A major retailer in France raised the prices of the Xbox Series X and S overnight, hinting at broader price hikes. Specifically, the cost of the Series S (512 GB) has increased from $299.99 to $379.99, while the Series X (1TB) now costs $599.99 instead of $499.99. Gamers should also prepare to spend more on certain first-party games and accessories.

    Additional Price Changes

    Microsoft is advising retailers to update the prices of its other consoles as well. The 1 TB variant of the Xbox Series S now comes with a hefty price tag of $429.99. For those looking at the Xbox Series X Digital, it requires a $549.99 investment. Lastly, the 2 TB Galaxy Black Series X is now the priciest console offered by Microsoft, priced at $729.99.

    International Pricing

    Consumers in other countries will also see increased costs for Xbox consoles. The 512 GB Series S is listed at £299.99 in the UK and €349.99 in Europe. On the other hand, the 1 TB Series X is available for €599.99 or £499.99.

    The price hikes are not limited to consoles alone. Microsoft announced that starting this holiday season, some first-party games will be priced at $79.99 instead of the previous $69.99. The popular standard Xbox controller has now become less appealing, with a new price of $64.99. Likewise, the wireless headset from Microsoft will now have a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $119.99.

    Market Context

    This unwelcome update follows a Microsoft Gaming earnings report that indicated a drop in hardware sales. However, the company is seeing gains from cross-platform publishing and the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.

    While Microsoft has not given a reason for these price adjustments, they come on the heels of a similar price increase for the Sony PS5 in regions like Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Like the PlayStation, most of Xbox’s consoles are produced in China, where tariffs on US imports can reach 145%, causing some consumer electronics brands to halt shipments.

    Source:
    Link

    Microsoft Increases Prices for Xbox Series X, Series S, and Games
    Tags: , ,
  • PlayStation 6 Handheld Leaks Show Faster Specs Than Xbox Series S

    PlayStation 6 Handheld Leaks Show Faster Specs Than Xbox Series S

    Key Takeaways

    1. Sony is rumored to be developing a standard PlayStation 6 and a handheld model.
    2. The PlayStation 6 handheld is expected to use a 15W System on a Chip (SoC) with a 3nm architecture and fewer than 40 Compute Units (CUs).
    3. Performance of the PS6 handheld is anticipated to be between the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S.
    4. The handheld may run PS5 games natively but at reduced resolution and visual quality due to its specifications.
    5. There is currently no confirmed release date for the PS6 or its handheld version, with production phases for the SoC still ongoing.

    The upcoming PlayStation consoles are rumored to include a standard PlayStation 6 along with a handheld model. Although Sony hasn’t released any official details, there have been various leaks and rumors providing insight into the handheld version. Recent reports indicate that the PlayStation 6 handheld will utilize a 15W System on a Chip (SoC) built on a 3nm architecture. New leaks from the same source suggest that the number of Compute Units (CUs) will be significantly lower than the PlayStation 5, yet it is expected to outperform the Xbox Series S.

    Insights from NeoGAF

    Discussions on the NeoGAF forums, particularly in the thread titled “Do you agree with Chatgpt that PS6 portable can match the power of PS5 in all parameters by 2028?”, feature a well-known AMD leaker known as Kepler L2. Last month, this leaker disclosed that the PS6 handheld will be powered by a 15W 3nm SoC. Now, they have provided additional information, claiming that the console will have fewer than 40 CUs.

    Performance Expectations

    While the exact number of CUs remains unclear, it is suggested to be lower than the PlayStation 5’s 36 CUs. The leaker mentions that the performance of the PS6 handheld may fall between that of the Xbox Series S and the PS5. The Xbox Series S has 20 CUs, so it’s likely that the PS6 handheld will have more than that, at least 20.

    The SoC in the purported PS6 handheld is also reported to operate at very low voltages. Since no details have been provided about the GPU, it’s challenging to predict performance accurately. Previous leaks have suggested that the handheld could run PS5 games natively; however, considering its supposed specifications, it would likely do so at a reduced resolution and visual quality.

    Release Date Uncertainty

    Currently, there is no set release date for either the PS6 or the speculated PS6 handheld. The leaker has indicated that the SoC for the PS6 handheld will “tapeout,” which is the final design phase for integrated circuits just before production, a few months after the SoC for the standard PS6.

    Source:
    Link

    Tags: , ,
  • Xbox Series X Unavailable in Europe as Sales Decline

    Xbox Series X Unavailable in Europe as Sales Decline

    Key Takeaways

    1. Xbox Series X availability is declining due to reduced shipments by Microsoft, primarily affecting European markets.
    2. Gamers in the UK and Poland face significant challenges in finding the Xbox Series X, with major retailers often out of stock.
    3. The Xbox Series X Digital Edition is more accessible, as retailers prioritize disc-less systems in line with Microsoft’s focus on subscription services.
    4. Xbox sales are struggling, particularly in Europe, with only 38,581 units sold in 2025 compared to over 328,000 PS5 units.
    5. Retailers in South America are also experiencing stock shortages, leading to speculation that Microsoft may be redirecting production towards cloud services.

    With Xbox sales on the decline, one would think it should be easy for gamers to find a console available. But, due to less demand, Microsoft seems to have cut back on shipments to numerous European nations. The shortages are mostly affecting the Xbox Series X instead of the Series S. Many gamers are taking to social media to express their frustration in finding the console in stock. While Microsoft hasn’t officially declared the end of the console’s lifecycle, some retailers are beginning to give up on seeing new shipments.

    Stock Issues in the UK and Poland

    In the UK, finding the Xbox Series X is a real challenge for gamers. Major shops like Argos have it listed, but it often isn’t available for either delivery or pickup in various areas. Similarly, Polish gamers have been facing a tough time since December, which Microsoft attributes to the high demand seen during the holidays. There is a silver lining in Germany, as the Series X is still widely available at MediaMarkt and other outlets.

    Digital Edition Availability

    At the moment, the Xbox Series X Digital Edition, which doesn’t have a disc drive, is easier to find. Even in the United States, many retailers are prioritizing these disc-less systems and bundles. This strategy aligns with Microsoft’s growing focus on subscription services and streaming platforms such as Xbox Game Pass. The Xbox Series S is widely available, although it does not offer the 4K functionality found in the Series X, PS5, and PS5 Pro.

    Sales and Future Prospects

    Regardless of whether Microsoft comments on it, the situation of Xbox sales looks quite dire. This is particularly evident in Europe, where recent data from VGChartz indicates only 38,581 units sold in 2025. Conversely, while PS5 sales have also decreased, Sony has still managed to sell over 328,000 consoles. With so many customers opting against the Series X, the extremely low supply is puzzling.

    Retailers in South American nations like Brazil and Chile are also reporting a worrying lack of consoles in stock. Some gamers theorize that Microsoft may be focusing its production of Series X hardware primarily for its cloud services. The company maintains an interest in creating a new Xbox console in the future, but fans may have to wait quite a while for that to happen.

    Source:
    Link

    Xbox Series X Unavailable in Europe as Sales DeclineXbox Series X Unavailable in Europe as Sales Decline
    Tags: , ,
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Optimized Graphics on Xbox Series S

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Optimized Graphics on Xbox Series S

    Key Takeaways

    1. Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has received positive feedback due to its strong performance across various platforms, including the Xbox Series S.
    2. The game runs on CryEngine, which was chosen for its suitability for open-world environments, despite past challenges with lower-end systems.
    3. Consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5 offer two performance modes: fidelity (30fps at 1440p) and performance (60fps at 1080p), with the PS5 Pro achieving 60fps at 1296p.
    4. Optimizations for the Xbox Series S, despite its limitations, have improved performance on PCs and more powerful consoles.
    5. Players report a smooth gaming experience with minimal lag, even on less powerful systems.

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has been seeing lots of players and getting good feedback. One reason for this success is how well the game runs on various platforms. Among those is the Xbox Series S, which pushed Warhorse Studios to enhance the visuals of this action RPG. In a chat on the Iron Lords Podcast, PR manager Tobias Stolz-Zwilling shared insights on how the Series S has aided in improving the performance of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2.

    Developer Insights

    Interestingly, the game runs on CryEngine, which was known for putting pressure on lower-end systems in the past. However, Daniel Vavra, co-founder of Warhorse Studios, had some criticism towards other options prior to the release of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. Even though Unreal Engine is often praised for its flexibility, Vavra noticed that open-world games faced challenges while using it. Ultimately, the choice Warhorse Studios made for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, with its vast maps, proved to be the right one.

    Performance Modes

    On consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5, the medieval RPG from Warhorse Studios offers two modes: fidelity and performance. The fidelity mode runs at 30 frames per second and 1440p, whereas the performance mode increases the frame rate to 60fps, albeit at 1080p. For the PS5 Pro, it maintains a steady 60fps at 1296p with PSSR upscaling, which makes the graphics look crisper.

    Despite having less power, the Xbox Series S is confined to a setting of 30fps and 1080p. Nevertheless, rather than decreasing quality across all platforms, the optimizations for Series S also help boost performance on PCs and more powerful consoles. Many gamers know that lowering shadow and reflection details can quickly enhance frame rates in various games. The CryEngine’s somewhat older lighting techniques contribute positively to performance. Nonetheless, the maps in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 remain vibrant and engaging.

    Smooth Experience

    A lot of newer games face issues with laggy visuals, especially before developers roll out updates. However, players of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 are enjoying a seamless gaming experience, even on the Xbox Series S and less powerful PCs.

    Source:
    Link

    Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Optimized Graphics on Xbox Series SKingdom Come: Deliverance 2 Optimized Graphics on Xbox Series S
    Tags: , ,
  • Xbox Early Black Friday Deals: Huge Discounts on Games for PC & Xbox

    Xbox Early Black Friday Deals: Huge Discounts on Games for PC & Xbox

    Microsoft has kicked off its Xbox Black Friday deals almost two weeks ahead of the big shopping event. The range of discounts includes exciting offers on some top games currently on Xbox, whether you prefer classic strategy titles, blockbuster AAA games, or indie gems that have built a loyal fanbase.

    Highlights of the Sale

    The Xbox Black Friday sale features a wide array of games, with many seeing discounts of up to 85%. A significant number of these titles are exclusively available for the Xbox Series S (starting at $299.99 on Amazon) and Series X (beginning at $448 on Amazon) consoles.

    Important Note

    It’s worth noting that Notebookcheck cannot be held liable for any price changes made by retailers. The prices or deals mentioned here were accurate at the time of writing, but they may change over time or have limited availability.

    Tags: , ,
  • The Xbox Series S Toaster: Transitioning from Memes to Market, Now Available at Walmart

    The Xbox Series S Toaster: Transitioning from Memes to Market, Now Available at Walmart

    Xbox Series S Toaster: A Fun Addition to Your Kitchen

    Microsoft has once again surprised its fans with a new addition to its line of kitchen appliances – the Xbox Series S toaster. What started as a fun meme has now become a real, fully functional toaster that resembles the sleek design of the Xbox Series S console. And the best part? You can get your hands on one for just $39.99 at Walmart.

    A Toasting Experience Like No Other

    The Xbox Series S toaster stays true to its primary function – toasting bread. It comes with features such as a shade selector for custom browning and a two-slice capacity that can accommodate various types of bread, including bagels and waffles. But what sets this toaster apart is its branding. With the iconic Xbox logo imprinted on your toast, your breakfast routine just got a playful touch of gaming fun.

    Embracing Gamer Culture

    Walmart's listing for the Xbox Series S toaster perfectly captures its appeal. No more breakfast-induced jump scares or cold toast while searching for the perfect save point. This toaster is a subtle nod to gamer culture, allowing you to integrate your love for Xbox into your kitchen. It's a quirky and unique way to start your day.

    From Memes to Reality

    The Xbox Series S toaster owes its existence to the meme-filled launch of the Xbox Series S itself. With its distinct design, the console inspired various comparisons, including doorbells and boomboxes. Somewhere along the way, the idea of a toaster shaped like the Xbox Series S took hold, and now, thanks to Microsoft's embrace of the unexpected, it has become a reality.

    Connecting with the Audience

    The Xbox Series S toaster is a prime example of how tech giants can connect with their audience in unexpected ways. It shows that Microsoft understands its fanbase and is willing to have some fun along the way. The toaster, along with the previously released Xbox Series X mini fridge, demonstrates the company's ability to turn memes into tangible products that fans can enjoy.

    Is It Worth It?

    So, is the Xbox Series S toaster worth adding to your countertop? That's for you to decide. If you're a die-hard Xbox fan or simply enjoy quirky kitchen gadgets, this toaster might be the perfect addition to your collection. It's a conversation starter and a way to show off your love for gaming in a unique way. Share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know if this toaster is a must-have for you.

    Tags: , ,