Introducing the new Xbox One X
Microsoft has coined the Xbox One’s new evolutionary state as the 'world’s most powerful console' and with a 2017 release date now set, you might already be asking yourself: 'what should I expect from the Xbox One X?'
With only a couple of months to wait, we now know more than ever about Microsoft's brand new console. Find out everything about the Xbox One X below, including how it compares to its predecessor the Xbox One S.
Xbox One X launch date
The console will go on sale on November 7th, 2017. The global release date was announced at Microsoft's E3 briefing, one of the biggest gaming events in the world.
Xbox One X price and availability
While the Xbox One X is not on sale yet, you can register your interest with most major online retailers. This way, you'll receive an alert so you can be one of the first to reserve the new Xbox, or you could hang on and pick one up from in store instead.
It's also worth noting that the Xbox One X will cost £449.99. Included in the price you'll receive the following: the Xbox One X console, one matching wireless controller, a HDMI cable, 14-day Xbox Live Gold membership and a free, 1-month Xbox Game Pass subscription.
4K and 40% more power
The brand new Xbox One X is for those in search of serious power and a truly immersive gaming experience. The console, originally developed under the name Project Scorpio, is being pitched as 40% more powerful than any other gaming console to ever hit the market. But what exactly is inside the Xbox One X that enables it to offer such a supercharged performance?
CPU, memory and storage
Inside the X there's an eight-core CPU, running at a speedy 2.3GHz with six added teraflops offering more power than ever before. Things should run smoothly and quickly, with 12GB of GDDR5 RAM on board as well - a 4GB upgrade from the Xbox One S. As for memory bandwidth, that checks in at an impressive 326GB/s.
There's 8GB of Flash memory included too and 1TB of HDD internal storage ensuring users have enough space to store as many advanced, 4K games as they wish. More storage options are expected to be announced after the Xbox One X launches, including a 2TB edition that is currently available with the Xbox One S.
Advanced 4K
The PS4 Pro and Xbox One S have slowly had their Full HD resolutions upgraded to stunning 4K, but with the Xbox One X you'll receive that from the start, with a whole range of games readily available to support it.
There's also a 4K UHD Blu-ray drive, perfect for watching your favourite films on a vivid screen. Ideally, you should invest in a 4K TV to get the most out of the Xbox One X's features, but if you don't own one it doesn’t mean the technology is lost, you'll still notice a significant difference. Thanks to 'supersampling', images will look incredible, without any jagged edges and with defining details and textures.
Design
The Xbox One X is the smallest console Microsoft has ever made, despite its huge increase in power. It's similar in shape to the Xbox One S, but features a matte black case that looks great at every angle. You'll find 2 HDMI ports, 3 USB ports and discreet power and Ethernet ports too.
You'll hardly notice the Xbox One X is switched on either. A brand new, advanced centrifugal fan has been added that uses unique liquid to keep the Scorpion Engine cool, cutting down noise and preventing the device from overheating no matter how much time you spend playing on it.
Exclusive 4K games only on the Xbox One X
As always, a big part of any console's success are the games you can play on it, and fans will be delighted to hear the X will have its own exclusives. Taking full advantage of the 4K feature, Microsoft's expert game developers are serving up a number of titles to be released throughout October and November.
Look out for the Xbox One X Enhanced logo to spot which titles have been optimised for the new console.
Some of the biggest titles set to enjoy the 4K treatment:
• Forza 7: Racing fans can experience 60mph at 60 fps with the updated Forza 7. The detail is unrivalled in previous games and cars are more reactive than ever. However, you'll need 100GB of free memory to take advantage of the 4K features.
Release date: 3rd October 2017
• Crackdown 3: A brand new game in the Crackdown saga, fans will love the crisp images and immersive, graphic-novel style play.
Release date: 7th November 2017
• Star Wars Battlefront 2: The new Star Wars shooter game is expected to look incredible on the Xbox One X.
Release date: 17th November 2017
• Assassin’s Creed Origins: Set in Ancient Egypt, the new instalment travels back to the very beginning of Assassin's Creed.
Release date: 27th October 2017