TNP Tech review: Xbox One S - S is for sleek
Microsoft's latest gaming console, Xbox One S provides great visuals all round
It is in no way a new console, but Microsoft's Xbox One S features a few subtle yet significant upgrades from its predecessor, the Xbox One.
The New Paper tried out the Xbox One S, which was released earlier this week, and this is what we found:
4K RESOLUTION
The console supports 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray playback and 4K video streaming.
It also brings high dynamic range support to videos and games, meaning visuals look richer and more natural.
The Xbox One S is currently the only console that can play 4K Blu-rays, although it does not actually render games at native 4K resolution (3,840 x 2,160 pixels), instead it upscales them from 1,080p to 4K resolution.
That may sound like it is cheating, but from our observation, the visuals are more stunning than non-upscaled games.
CONSOLE
This is where the Xbox One S is vastly different from its predecessor.
The Xbox One S is 40 per cent smaller than the Xbox One and its slim, white box looks sleeker than the older, clunkier model.
The power adapter brick has also given way to a slim power cord as the Xbox One S has an integrated power system.
This means the console now requires less space on your shelf and makes your living room (or wherever you choose to house it) less-cluttered.
The Kinect port is also gone (although it can still be connected via an adaptor), while the USB port and controller-pairing button, which were previously located at the side, have been moved to the front.
INTERFACE
In terms of its interface, there is no noticeable change as the Xbox One S is able to play the same range of games as its predecessor.
VERDICT
The Xbox One S does everything the Xbox One can do but with 4k visual bump.
Overall, it feels more well-constructed and user friendly, and it is currently one of the cheapest Blu-ray players that supports 4K videos.
But Xbox One users who are wondering if they should make the switch should hang on as Microsoft plans to release an even more powerful Xbox One console - dubbed Project Scorpio and said to offer true 4K gaming and support for virtual reality games - at the end of next year.
Perhaps that would be more worth waiting for.
PRICE
Fans can get the Xbox One S Battlefield 1 Bundle, which comes with a copy of Battlefield 1, one month of EA Access and a 1TB hard drive, for $499.
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