12 Cons of Xbox Series S You Should Know (Review 2024)

Microsoft Xbox Series S, positioned as a choice, in their latest console range has garnered attention for its compact build and lower cost. Despite these aspects, there are drawbacks that need to be taken into account.

This article delves into the downsides of the Xbox Series S touching on concerns such as storage capacity, absence of a disc drive potential long-term performance issues, heat management challenges, and overall ecosystem difficulties within the Xbox platform.

If after reading all these cons, you still want to buy the product, congratulations! You’re making a well-informed decision, and you won’t regret your purchase!

Restricted Storage Space

In terms of storage capacity one notable drawback of the Xbox Series S is its space availability. While the console boasts a 512 GB solid-state drive (SSD), 364 GB is usable once system files are factored in. Given that modern AAA games often exceed 100 GB in size storing games can quickly deplete the storage. This problem is exacerbated by the increasing size of game updates and downloadable content (DLC).

Expanding storage presents its set of challenges. Although the Seagate expansion card effectively adds space it comes with a price tag—almost equivalent to that of the console itself. This makes upgrading storage an option for gamers, on a tight budget. External hard drives offer a budget option but it’s worth noting that games optimized for the Series S cannot be played directly from these drives, which limits their practicality.

Lower Performance Compared to Series X and PS5

The Xbox Series S targets a different market segment compared to the higher-end Xbox Series X and Sony PlayStation 5. It focuses on achieving an upscaled 1440p resolution, then 4K leading to a drop in image quality on 4K displays. This reduction in detail is evident in games with demanding graphics.

Despite Microsofts claims that the Series S can handle 1440p at 120 frames per second this is rarely achieved in real-world usage. Many games such as “Frontiers” and “Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy” run at 30 frames per second at 1440p. This inconsistency in performance can be disappointing for gamers looking to smooth gameplay. Additionally, some developers are hesitant to optimize their games for the Series S due, to concerns that its hardware may limit the gaming experience.

Digital Console: The Lack of a Disc Drive

The Xbox Series S is a gaming console that lacks a disc drive. This implies that gamers won’t have the option to use game discs or watch Blu-ray movies, on the console, which might disappoint those who have a collection of media. Additionally the absence of a disc drive limits compatibility and prevents playing Xbox games on the Series S.

For gamers not being able to utilize physical media is a significant drawback, especially for those who take pleasure in collecting game discs or own a library of Blu-ray movies. This restriction could also affect the resale value of games since digital copies cannot be traded or sold like discs.

Concerns About Long-Term Viability and Value

There are worries regarding the long-term sustainability and worth of the Xbox Series S. With games becoming more sophisticated and resource-intensive the lower specifications of the Series S may struggle to keep up with advancements. This potential risk of becoming outdated could shorten its lifespan as a gaming console making it less attractive for long-term usage.

Initially, the Series S offered value compared to consoles commanding resale prices in markets. However, it appears that the value proposition of the Series S is being overshadowed by the availability of PS5 and Xbox Series X, at prices. The lower specs and performance limitations of the Xbox Series S may not be as attractive, to gamers compared to consoles that offer longevity.

Moreover, while the Series S does have a variety of games it lacks Xbox titles that could sway users to choose it over competitors. This along with its performance and storage restrictions reduces its appeal.

Heat and Noise Concerns

Users of the Xbox Series S have expressed concerns about heat generation from the console during use. The heating up can raise worries about hardware durability and potential overheating problems despite the console being designed to manage heat. High temperatures reached during gaming sessions remain a concern.

Although noise levels are generally lower than some consoles like the PS4 users may still find the noise from demanding games on the Series S noticeable and potentially disruptive during gameplay impacting their experience.

Overall System Challenges

The Xbox ecosystem has faced obstacles that have impacted the user experience for those with a Series S. One challenge relates to delivering first-party titles. Games such as “Halo Infinite” did not meet expectations while anticipated titles like “Starfield” have faced criticism, for not living up to their hype.
Despite the investments made by Microsoft the Xbox brand has encountered challenges, like decreasing sales and underwhelming releases. This could be disheartening for fans who have placed their trust in the Xbox ecosystem highlighting issues with the brand’s strategy and execution.

Challenges with Game Performance and Development

The limitations in gaming performance on the Xbox Series S go beyond resolution and frame rates. The powerful hardware of the console can pose challenges for game developers leading some to hesitate in optimizing their games for the Series S. This reluctance might result in a gaming experience that falls short compared to what’s available on consoles.

For instance, games aiming to leverage next-gen hardware capabilities may need to make significant concessions to be compatible with the Series S. This situation could lead to game versions that do not fully utilize the potential of the technology impacting the gaming experience.

Absence of a Disc Drive and its Effects on Game Accessibility

The absence of a disc drive on the Xbox Series S has implications beyond being unable to play games and Blu-ray movies. This design choice limits access, to media and backward compatibility through discs.
Gamers who own a collection of Xbox One or Xbox 360 discs may find themselves unable to play these copies, which could be disappointing, for those who prefer media over digital downloads.

Moreover with the Series S being a console players are entirely dependent on online stores. This reliance might result in costs over time since digital games often maintain their prices compared to copies especially when considering discounts and secondhand markets.

Concerns about Future Proofing

Given the advancements in technology and the increasing demands of video games, there are concerns about the Xbox Series Ss ability to keep up. Its lower specifications in comparison to the Xbox Series X and PS5 could struggle to meet the growing complexity and graphical requirements of games. This potential for obsolescence compared to its counterparts raises questions about its long-term viability as a primary gaming platform.

Players who value staying up to date with games and experiencing them at their best may find the Series S lacking in longevity. The console’s inferior specs could limit its ability to deliver a high-quality gaming experience with robust hardware.

Diminishing Value Proposition

Initially seen as a compelling value proposition upon release when compared with console prices, on the secondary market.
The availability of the PS5 and Xbox Series X, at prices has diminished the appeal of the Series S. Its lower performance, limited storage capacity and other constraints make it less enticing compared to powerful consoles.

Those who are serious about gaming may find the Series X or PS5 more attractive due to their performance, graphics quality, and storage options despite their prices. The initial appeal of the Series S has faded in view of these alternatives.

Heat Generation Concern

Heat generation is a concern for Xbox Series S users as the console tends to heat up during gaming sessions sparking worries about hardware longevity. While the console is designed to handle heat the high temperatures it reaches during use remain a concern that could potentially lead to issues.

While noise levels are generally lower than those of consoles like the PS4 they can still be noticeable when running demanding games on the Series S. This noise can be distracting during gaming sessions and detract from the experience. Gamers typically prefer a quieter and cooler gaming environment, an aspect where the Series S falls short.

Xbox Ecosystem

Apart from hardware worries, broader challenges within the Xbox ecosystem are difficulties, for Series S users.

The Xbox brand has encountered challenges, in delivering the promised first-party titles. Games like “Halo Infinite” and “Starfield” have not met expectations leading to criticism and disappointment among fans. Despite Microsoft’s efforts the Xbox brand is facing issues such as declining sales and dissatisfaction with releases, which can be disheartening for the Xbox community. These challenges within the ecosystem could affect the gaming experience for Series S users making it less appealing compared to gaming platforms.

Final Thoughts

While the Xbox Series S provides an entry point to next-gen gaming it comes with downsides. Concerns about storage space performance relative to competitors’ lack of a disc drive worries about long-term durability, heat generation issues and broader ecosystem concerns all contribute to a than ideal gaming experience. Gamers seeking top-tier performance and future-proofing their investment may find choosing a console like the Xbox Series X or PS5 to be a choice.

However, if after reading all these cons, you still want to buy the product, congratulations! You’re making a well-informed decision, and you won’t regret your purchase.

Reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsiV_-o5488&pp=ygUQaXBob25lIHhyIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYeshTMudR0&pp=ygUQaXBob25lIHhyIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NxHpieijOQ&pp=ygUQaXBob25lIHhyIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHWe3dbSmHg&pp=ygUQaXBob25lIHhyIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpTtw7z_WoQ&pp=ygUQaXBob25lIHhyIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXyloYoLyZ4&pp=ygUQaXBob25lIHhyIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-HvKnPKyJ8&pp=ygUQaXBob25lIHhyIHJldmlldw%3D%3D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znz8o-boH0E&pp=ygUQaXBob25lIHhyIHJldmlldw%3D%3D