Microsoft unveils black 1TB Xbox Series S, doesn’t see the need for mid-cycle console refresh

In temporary: The Xbox Series S is getting a paint job and a storage improve. The new, “carbon black” model has a 1TB SSD and will be pre-ordered immediately at $349. It’s a small improve, however Microsoft says it doesn’t see the need for a correct, mid-cycle refresh for Xbox. With video games getting more and more bigger and launching with low body fee caps, that is not what players wish to hear – however there you could have it.

Microsoft has introduced a brand new black model of the Xbox Series S at the Xbox Games Showcase. The console could have one terabyte of built-in storage, however in any other case, there’s little else that is modified from the unique Xbox Series S. In different phrases, it is nonetheless a 1440p gaming machine with assist for HDR and as much as 120 frames per second on choose titles and appropriate TVs.

The “carbon black” Xbox Series S will launch September 1 and can set you again $349, with pre-orders beginning immediately. For reference, the unique Xbox Series S had solely 512 gigabytes of inner storage and a launch value of $299. If the white Xbox Series S is extra to your liking, now you can get one for as little as $260 – simply take into account that you will solely have about 364 gigabytes of usable storage versus 802 on the carbon black one.

Also learn: Bigger Than Godzilla: Why Are Games Using So Many Gigabytes?

The announcement comes solely per week after Western Digital introduced storage enlargement playing cards for Xbox Series S and Series X homeowners. The firm launched two choices, a 512GB card for $79.99 and a one-terabyte model priced at $149.99. These are priced kind of in step with Seagate’s current enlargement playing cards, however the latter firm has a 2TB possibility for $279.99.

There’s been some discuss as of late about the need for refreshed console {hardware}, with some in the gaming trade feeling like mid-cycle redesigns are on the horizon from each Sony and Microsoft. However, the latter firm doesn’t look like interested by the thought – a minimum of not but.

During an interview with Bloomberg, Xbox head Phil Spencer defined that he doesn’t “feel an imperative” to provide you with a significant improve for the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, that are inching in the direction of their third anniversary.

Spencer says the firm doesn’t see any suggestions from players that might point out the need for a extra highly effective Xbox. At the similar time, Microsoft is “pretty set on the hardware we have.” That’s an odd assertion, provided that some latest AAA video games like Gotham Knights and Redfall are already having bother working easily except locked to 30 frames per second. Starfield, which is Microsoft’s greatest sport launch this yr, can even be locked to 30 frames per second below the excuse of “consistency.”

Frame fee caps apart, Spencer did promise players that Microsoft is rising the availability of Xbox Series X consoles after fixing some provide points which have been plaguing it for the previous a number of months. Xbox followers will not be comfortable the 30 frames-per-second cap is making a comeback, however with video games like Starfield weighing in at 125 gigabytes, this is not the solely limitation Xbox consoles could have transferring ahead.