The Xbox One S will launch on August 2 across multiple territories, Microsoft has confirmed. Various retailers had previously listed the same release date without confirmation by the manufacturer themselves, but now it’s official. The slimmed down and improved version of the original Xbox One not only takes up less space in your living room, but also comes with a built-in power supply, repositioned USB ports and an upgraded gamepad that boasts a “textured grip” and more reliable wireless connectivity.
Matt Lapsen, general manager of Xbox devices marketing goes into greater detail on what upgrades mean for you, the consumer.
Xbox One S is the most compact Xbox yet, 40 percent smaller than the original Xbox One, and includes a built-in power supply. We also shifted one of the three USB ports and the pairing button to the front of the Xbox One S alongside the newly added IR blaster for increased accessibility.
Beyond the fresh new design, Xbox One S is the first and only console that allows you to watch Blu-ray movies and stream video in stunning 4K Ultra HD with High Dynamic Range (HDR). That means you’ll get to enjoy your favorite shows and movies in the clearest, most realistic video possible. With HDR support for video and gaming, Xbox One games like Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, and Scalebound will look even better thanks to a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, bringing out the true visual depth of your favorite games.
The Xbox One S 2TB launch edition will cost $399 and includes a single gamepad. For those of you on a tighter budget, Microsoft says 1TB and 500GB editions of the petite console will be made available at a later date for $349 and $299 respectively.
Do you intend to trade in your current current console for the shiny new One S, or are you happy to wait for next year’s Project Scorpio? Let us know in the comments below.