A few years after the launch of the Xbox One, Microsoft launched the Xbox One S, a “slim” (more compact and cheaper) version of the original model, which was certainly very well received, especially in the Western market. This strategy has been maintained from the Xbox 360 generationand we know it’s only a matter of time before Microsoft uses it on the Xbox Series X, that is, until it launches a “slim” version of the said console.

The Xbox Series X Slim will be the successor to the Xbox One S, and all indications are that this model will retain the same keys as the it will directly compete with the PS5 Slim. It goes without saying that after the launch of this model, the original Xbox Series X will be discontinued and will not be available for purchase once the stock available in stores has been exhausted, as it has been discontinued.

All the information I share with you in this special comes from leaks, rumors and my own knowledge and experience. This means that although everything you are going to see it is reliable and has a high degree of credibility It is not confirmed, so there is a possibility that there will be deviations at some points, but I am quite confident that if this happens, the deviations will be minimal.

Before I get into that, I think it’s important to clarify why Microsoft will be making the Xbox Series X Slim, and the answer is very simple, because this console will allow you to reduce costs, improve energy efficiency and adjust the price of the system market reality without having to bear losses per unit sold. With that clear, let’s begin.

What will the Xbox Series X Slim be?

Concept (not final) Xbox Series X version.

As we already saw at the beginning of the article, it will be a version the smallest, most powerful and cheapest of the Xbox Series X. Thanks to design changes and hardware modifications, the production costs of this console will be lower, and this will allow Microsoft to bring it to market at a lower price than the original model.

Will the reduction in size mean a reduction in performance for the Xbox Series X Slim?

Not at all, that’s exactly what the experience we had with previous generations shows exactly opposite, that is, it should be as powerful or even slightly more powerful. The changes at the hardware level will be fine-tuned so that there are no performance or temperature issues, so we have nothing to worry about in this regard.

What will be the differences between the Xbox Series X and the slim model?

The differences can be found on an aesthetic and design level, as is obvious, since the thin model will be mounted on a completely new chassis, which will be much smaller than the standard Xbox Series X. I do not think that Microsoft will change the black color as the main tone of the console for this new model, and on a hardware level, I believe that the modifications will follow the same line that we have seen with previous generations, and that they will be focused on miniaturization, efficiency and cost reduction.

That should be news most relevant at the hardware level:

• The Xbox Series X Slim will still be powered by an AMD APU with a Zen 2 CPU and Radeon GPU, but this will be manufactured in 6nm node or 5nm nodewhich will represent a significant improvement in terms of efficiency compared to the 7nm node used by the Xbox Series X. This leap in the manufacturing process will make it possible reduce consumption and operating temperatures as well as the cost of this component.
• By using a more efficient APU it will be possible to mount more compact and economical cooling system. This will be key to achieving this reduction in console size, as well as reducing manufacturing costs a bit more, with all that means for the selling price of the console.
• We may also see other minor changes, such as the removal of some ports and connectors or even Microsoft we recommend releasing a version without an optical drive. If that happens, such a model should be much cheaper.

Will the Xbox Series X Slim have any incompatibilities or limitations?

Not at all, this console will have the same capabilities as the Xbox Series X, it will compatible with all your games and services and allow us to enjoy an equally good experience. However, keep in mind that if Microsoft decides to remove some ports or remove the optical drive, we will have some limitations compared to the original model, but in return this version should have been much cheaper.

What can we expect from the Xbox Series X Slim?

The same experience offered by Xbox Series X, but at a lower price and in a more compact, quieter and cooler format. It will be an excellent choice for those who want to make the leap to the new generation make a smaller investmentand who want to take advantage of a mature and more efficient design.

When will the Xbox Series X Slim hit the market?

We don’t have a confirmed release date yet, but everything seems to indicate that we will between late 2023 and mid-2024. Keep in mind that everything may also depend on what Sony does with the PS5 Slim, that is, if the Japanese company decides to postpone the launch of the said model, it is likely that Microsoft I ended up doing the same to compete with her.

You know how it is, in the end neither of the two giants wants to to give the other the slightest advantageand this causes them to end up reacting almost instantly to every movement.

Will it have problems with stock or can it be bought without problems?

It’s an interesting question and the truth is that after seeing the changes that are happening in the semiconductor market and in the supply chain, it’s very clear to me that the Xbox Series X Slim should not have any supply problems and that your inventory and availability should be good. What I mean by this is that you should have no problem buying directly from the stores and at a normal price.

How much will the Xbox Series X Slim cost?

It’s one of the big mysteries surrounding this console, but it’s not hard to make a rough guess. Based on the cost of the Xbox One S compared to the Xbox One, I believe the Xbox Series X Slim is most likely €100 cheaper than the original model, which leads me to put it in the range 399 euros.

However, keep in mind that there is a possibility, as I said, that Microsoft will decide to launch a model without an optical drive. If that happens, its price should be even lower and could be in between 299 and 349 euros. In this case, the price of the Xbox Series S should drop to 199 or 249 euros.

Is this console worth buying?

Undoubtedly, not only because of the price, but also because it will maintain a very good experience of the next generation and because we will be able to get the most out of it for little money thanks to Game Pass, which allows us to play a large number of titles for a small monthly fee.