Editorials
Xbox One X Release Date, Price & Features
Xbox will get visuals as good or better than PlayStation when the Xbox One X arrives later this year.
The Xbox One X is an Xbox One console that can do things the current consoles can’t. Its new processor, RAM and graphics hardware give it far more power for games than the Xbox One. Microsoft has stuffed this new hardware into a console that’s smaller than any other Xbox console ever, the company says.
Gamers get improved graphics, regardless of the television they have. New games made to support 4K televisions and the Xbox One X are coming. Existing games from the Xbox One and Xbox One S work on the console. Xbox One and Xbox One X accessories are also compatible. Gamers that don’t have a 4K television get better visuals thanks to some new sampling technology inside the console.
Here is everything you need to know about the Xbox One X release date, games and its features.
- Xbox One X Release Date
- Xbox One X Price
- Xbox One X Performance
- Xbox One X Games
- Xbox One X VR Headsets
- Xbox One X Pre-Orders
Xbox One X Release Date
Read: Xbox One S vs PlayStation 4 Pro
The Xbox One X release date is November 7th. That’s just before the holiday shopping season kicks off.
Xbox One X Price
The Xbox One X price reflects its status as the most powerful Xbox One. The console will cost $499.99, more than every Xbox One S does today. The Xbox One X doesn’t have multiple storage options or free games included, it seems.
Xbox One X Performance & Features
To make 4K games possible, Xbox One X needs power. The console has 6 Teraflops of power and 8 CPU cores. We also know that 320 GB/s memory bandwidth will help it handle the 4K video games that it supports. Microsoft’s Mike Ybarra confirmed developers will have 9GB of RAM to work with.
There are some very real benefits to purchasing an Xbox One X without a 4K television. The console uses Super Sampling technology to improve graphics on HD televisions. Every television that supports HDR 10 can use the HDR features of Xbox One X. HDR stands for high dynamic range. Titles that support it have a wider range of colors than standard games. All games load faster and stay super smooth with 60 frames-per-second video, Microsoft says.
The Xbox One X does more than enhance video games. Like the Xbox One S, it supports movies and streaming video with 4K visuals and HDR. Netflix and Amazon Prime both offer HDR video on Xbox One S today, and Xbox One X uses those same apps.
Xbox One X Games
Xbox One X owners can buy new titles with enhanced graphics that support 4K visuals or stick to their existing video game collection.
Read: 9 Most Exciting 2017 Xbox One Games
Xbox One games work on the Xbox One X. By extension, Xbox 360 games that are part of the Xbox One Backwards Compatibility Program will work with the new console too. Any downloadable content that buyers have carries over. Gamers just sign in with their account to bring their DLC, saves and digital titles over to the new console.
Exclusives games made by Microsoft support the Xbox One X’s improved visuals. Microsoft’s Forza Motorsport 7 launches for the console this year. Halo Wars 2, Minecraft and Gears of War 4 have updates coming to enhance their graphics. Developers not owned by Microsoft can enhance their games for Xbox One X. Assassin’s Creed Origins and Madden 18 both have better looks on the console. At least 30 available Xbox One games will get a visual update for Xbox One X free.
Every game that works on Xbox One X will work on older Xbox consoles. Microsoft’s Aaron Greenberg told Engadget Xbox One X won’t have exclusive games. “We’re not going to have console-exclusive games for [Xbox One X]. It’s one ecosystem — whether you have an Xbox One S or [Xbox One X], we don’t want anyone to be left behind,” Greenberg said.
Xbox One X VR Headsets
There is one exception to this rule on exclusives. Xbox One X will use its extra horsepower to offer VR headset support. Those games won’t come to the Xbox One or Xbox One S because they don’t offer enough processing power.
Read: Oculus Rift VR – 5 Things to Know
Which headsets Xbox One X supports remains murky. Facebook’s Oculus Rift VR headset would be a natural choice. It’s available today, and the company partnered with Microsoft to include an Xbox One controller with every headset. On the other hand, Microsoft’s Windows Team is working with PC makers to create virtual reality headsets. These headsets will work on Xbox One, but not until 2018.
“We’re also excited to share that Windows Mixed Reality experiences will light up on other devices over time, beyond desktop and Microsoft HoloLens. Our plan is to bring mixed reality content to the Xbox One family of devices, including Project Scorpio, in 2018,” the company said in a related post on its Windows Experience Blog.
Xbox One X will support Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality. Mixed Reality lets virtual characters and objects appear as if they are in the same room as users. VR users can’t see the room around them.
Read: Windows 10 Creators Update VR: What We Know
Xbox One X Pre-Orders
No store is taking Xbox One X pre-orders yet. They should arrive soon, Microsoft will want to make sure it has enough consoles to meet demand on the November 7th launch date.
Two retailers will send buyers a notification when pre-orders arrive. The Microsoft Store has an email list anyone can register for now. GameStop’s Xbox Scorpio notifications site will send a text message to shoppers when pre-orders start at its stores. Best Buy does not send shoppers pre-order alerts.