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Windows Central
Windows Central
Technology
Jennifer Young

Xbox Series S review (2025): Still compact and capable, but no longer the budget king

Xbox Microsoft Jennifer Young AMD Windows Central
Xbox Series S.
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1. Price & availability
2. Design & hardware
3. Operating System & Features
4. Performance
5. Should you buy?

The Xbox Series S has long been celebrated as the affordable, consumer-friendly console in Microsoft’s lineup, but 2025 has brought about some seismic shifts in the gaming market. What was once a budget-friendly entry into the current Xbox ecosystem is now brushing up against the price of a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, raising questions about its value proposition for gamers in today’s economy.

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