Now that the Xbox One X has been released, we got our hands on the console at our local Game Stop and was able to give it a spin and try it for ourselves.
Xbox One X Specs:
Price: $499
Release Date: 11/7/2017
CPU: Eight custom x86 cores clocked at 2.3GHz
GPU: Integrated AMD graphics with 6 teraflops of performance
RAM: 12GB GDDR5
Storage: 1TB
Weight 8.4lbs
Dimensions: 11.8 x 9.4 x 2.4 inches
Microsoft is calling the Xbox One X the “smallest Xbox ever” and from us looking at it side by side with the Xbox One S it is slightly smaller but weights more. We saw it upright standing next the Xbox One S and still they look about the same in size. We do recommend having it flat on a surface when in use. All the accessories from the original Xbox One, the Xbox One S from controller, USB Cables, batteries and anything else will work with the Xbox One X, expect the Kinect camera sensor. You will have to get an adaptor from Microsoft that will run you $39.99. Also, all of the games that you have for your Xbox One, any backwards compatible 360 and original games will also work with the Xbox One X. The Xbox One X has a 4K UHD Blu Ray player that plays 4K movies and content.
What makes the Xbox One X a unique console is that it can play 4K games in native 4K. Before people start saying that the PS4 Pro can also do this (Which it can BTW). Microsoft claims that it can play in the native 3840 × 2160. They have listed some games that are already in 4K and ready to be played, we have the list of all the games that are in 4K below:
https://www.xbox.com/en-us/games/xbox-one/xbox-one-x-enhanced-list#tabletitle
From our reviews of the games on the list (Gears of War 4, Forza 7 Motorsport, and Assassin Creed Origins) in 4K and playing on a Sony Bravia 43” UHD 4K smart television and we have to say that the games in 4K look and play amazing! The games graphics are very sharp and run at 60 FPS (Frames Per Seconds) without any hiccups in the frame rate. The games colors on screen as well as the levels of black from the HDR are amazing and take full advantage of the colors that our Smart TV has shown. We decided to try out some video content and watch The Blacklist in 4K from Netflix and it too shows without any trouble and very clear. Our final test was watching a 4K UHD Blu Ray with Star Trek Into Darkness, and Star Trek Beyond and both movies showed rich colors and very much detail, for the interest of digital streamers, we also watch Batman vs. Superman in 4K on Vudu and it too showed very clear. When playing games that are not in 4K, the Xbox One X shows them in better resolution as well it seems that they are slightly upscaled to perform better on screen. I personally did not notice any difference in games that are not in 4K but if this changes then so will this review. The hard drive is stated to be %50 faster. I have seen that load up times for games are faster but not by that much and start up times for the console and in console menus are faster but again not enough to make a huge difference. One thing that I did see and liked is that you can record in game footage in 4K but again do not expect to have more than 30 seconds of footage at this time to be able to be recorded, and when uploaded it will be shown online at 1080P.
Overall the Xbox One X does a great job of getting games to play in native 4K and show 4K content without any trouble. In our playtesting we were very impressed with the ability of how well it looks from the Xbox One X.
Now you are asking yourself is the Xbox One X a new console? Well it all depends on how you are looking at how this console fits into your families digital gaming world. In my honest opinion if you already have an Xbox One and do not have a 4K Smart TV and not planning to get one, then you do not need the X, however if you do not have an Xbox One console and plan to get a 4K Smart TV in the future, then we highly recommend getting one.
Some of the reasons why you would want to get an Xbox One X:
- 4K gaming at its finest. If you want to experience 4K gaming for your Xbox One games, then the X is the way to go.
- 4K Content. From Netflix, to Vudu and other streaming services that offer 4K the Xbox One X is a great console for streaming.
- The 4K UHD Blu Ray Player. Lots of 4K Blu Ray Players in the market are very expensive, with the X you get it built into the console.
- Owning the most advance console that cost less than building a 4K PC gaming machine.
Some reasons why you do not need an Xbox One X:
- You already own an Xbox One S and not planning to purchase a 4K Smart TV anytime soon.
- You are not into playing any 4K games.
- You have a PC that already plays 4K games and content.
- Don’t want to invest into another console (You already own a PS4, or Nintendo Switch)
In the end it all boils down to if 4K is your digital library and viewing 4K content is in your future. For those that want to have a pure 4K console, then we highly recommend getting the Xbox One X as it makes a great fit for any family that is looking to get into 4K. For those that either do not care about gaming in 4K or already own an Xbox One or a Xbox One S, then best to wait till it gets lowered in cost. 4K gaming is now starting to make its way to the consoles and Microsoft is doing a great job of making a console that can handle the higher demands of 4K gaming. As always be sure that if you are making the move to 4K that both your Smart TV and surround sound receiver are up to date, can handle 4K, HDR content and that the pass through on your receiver allows this. The last thing that you want is to upgrade your console to 4K and you do not have the equipment to view it in.
As always we here at Family Gamer Reviewer are here to answer any questions that you have on the Xbox One X, so please feel free to contact us using the #askfgr or reach out to us on social media.
