{"id":10728,"date":"2020-09-10T11:37:23","date_gmt":"2020-09-10T01:37:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/?p=10728"},"modified":"2020-09-10T11:37:23","modified_gmt":"2020-09-10T01:37:23","slug":"microsoft-finally-announce-xbox-series-x-s-dates-pricing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reckoner.com.au\/news\/microsoft-finally-announce-xbox-series-x-s-dates-pricing\/","title":{"rendered":"Microsoft finally announce Xbox Series X\/S dates & pricing"},"content":{"rendered":"

In what has felt like a never ending game of chicken, Microsoft have finally relented in formally announcing the pricing & availability of their next-gen consoles the Xbox Series X and the recently leaked Xbox Series S.<\/p>\n

First thing’s first, pre-orders for the new consoles begin on September 22nd with the units arriving November 10th.<\/p>\n

The Xbox Series X<\/a>, Microsoft’s most advanced console, which includes 4K output, ray-tracing and its monolithic black tower design retails for A$749.<\/p>\n

The newly revealed Xbox Series S<\/a> console, is a new step for Microsoft. It offers a slightly less powerful version in the same launch window, but still takes you on the next-generation journey for the lower price of A$499.<\/p>\n

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So what’s the difference between the two? The Series S supports a resolution up to 1440p, lower than the 4K and future 8K support on the X. It also has no physical disc drive, meaning that it’s a digital-purchase only machine. The S will also have less RAM (10GB vs 16GB) and a GPU output one third that of its bigger brother (4 TFLOPS vs 12.15).<\/p>\n

Both consoles include Xbox’s new Velocity Architecture<\/a> and make use of high speed NVMe SSDs.<\/p>\n

In addition to the announcement of the consoles Microsoft has also unveiled an extension of their popular “Xbox All Access<\/a>” subscription service to Australia. The Telstra partnered service allows gamers to enter a 2 year contract with Telstra that covers the cost of the new console and your subscription to Xbox Game Pass, which will now also include EA Play.<\/p>\n

Sadly the service requires you to be a Telstra postpaid mobile phone or broadband customer. Prepaid customers are not eligible.<\/p>\n