The Xbox Series X Digital Edition is a ninth-generation video game console that was released on October 15, 2024. The console contains the same features as the standard Xbox Series X, with the only major difference being the removal of the disc drive, making it a console that is not capable of playing any physical media. The console is Xbox's third digital only console, with the first being the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, and the second being the more affordable Xbox Series S that is sold alongside the standard Xbox Series X and its digital counterpart.[1][2]
The console includes a 1TB SSD and features a Robot White design, like that of the Xbox Series S. The console was made available for preorder on August 21, 2024 for $449.99/€499.99.[3]
Development[]
Leaked image of digital Xbox Series X codenamed Brooklin.
FTC vs. Microsoft leak[]
On September 19, 2023, several documents were mistakenly uploaded online by Microsoft from 2022 relating to the then ongoing FTC v. Microsoft trial. Within these documents were confidential emails between Phil Spencer and various other Xbox employees, as well as Xbox's entire hardware roadmap up until 2030.[4]
Outside of limited details on the next generation Xbox and a revised Xbox Wireless controller model, an updated Xbox Series S model codenamed Ellewood and a 2TB Digital Xbox Series X codenamed Brooklin were heavily detailed within the various documents. Within the leaked information, both Ellewood and Brooklin were said to be officially announced to the public some time in 2024 before then being made available towards the end of the same year.[5]
Brooklin was detailed as having very similar specifications to that of the standard Xbox Series X, with the only differences being several updated technologies including the addition of Wi-FI 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, 6mn die shrink, and several other changes to the design of the console's motherboard and power supply unit to further Xbox's sustainability efforts. Additionally, the two most notable differences when compared to the standard Xbox Series X is Brooklin's absence of a disc drive and radically different circular design.[6]
A day after the documents first appeared online, Phil Spencer posted a statement on his Twitter account discussing how what was shown within the documents was no longer accurate to their current plan.[7]
| “ | We've seen the conversation around old emails and documents. It is hard to see our team's work shared in this way because so much has changed and there's so much to be excited about right now, and in the future. We will share the real plans when we are ready. | ” |
—Phil Spencer @XboxP3 via Twitter | ||
What was shown within the documents was over a year old by the time it had been leaked. Xbox's plans would have gone through many different iterations since the creation of the leaked roadmap. Additionally, the leak itself would have had a large influence on what Xbox planned to do in the coming years.
Full hardware leak[]
The first images of a real Xbox Series X Digital Edition console. Credit: eXputer
On March 27, 2024, gaming focused website eXputer published an article containing the first leaked images of a real Xbox Series X Digital Edition model.[8] The images showed a Robot White coloured Xbox Series X that lacked any kind of disc drive. eXputer also reported that outside of an improved heatsink, the console included no other major improvements over the standard Xbox Series X.
Despite the leaked images showing a vastly different design to that of the previously leaked digital Xbox Series X codenamed Brooklin, eXputer previously reported in February 2024 that Microsoft would launch an All-Digital white Xbox Series X some time in 2024[9]. This information still somewhat aligned with what was shown in the FTC v. Microsoft leak, as these documents had shown that Xbox was planning to launch an all-digital Xbox Series X some time in 2024. While Brooklin had more than likely been canceled entirely, many of the ideas and plans surrounding it were likely put towards the Xbox Series X Digital Edition.
Official announcement and release[]
On June 9, 2024 at the end of the Xbox Games Showcase, president of Xbox, Sarah Bond unveiled three new Xbox models, including a Robot White 1TB Xbox Series X Digital Edition, as well a 1TB Xbox Series S, and a Special Edition Galaxy Black 2TB Xbox Series X slated for release in the 2024 Holidays[1][10][11]. The Xbox Series X Digital Edition would be priced at $449.99/€499.99. Pre orders went live on August 21, 2024 with the console eventually being released roughly two months later on October 15 lining up almost exactly with what was leaked a year prior in the FTC v. Microsoft documents[3].
Design[]
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition features a design nearly identical to that of the standard Xbox Series X. The console combines aspects of both the Xbox Series X and Series S, using the same console shape as the Xbox Series X and the Robot White color found on the Xbox Series S.
Unlike the Xbox Series X, the Digital Edition does not feature the green highlights on the main fan vent on the top of the console[12].
Specifications[]
The Xbox Series X Digital Edition contains the same specifications as the standard Xbox Series X, except for the removal of the disc drive meaning digital downloads and Xbox Cloud Gaming are the only way to access content on the console.
| CPU | 8x Cores @ 3.8 GHz (3.6 GHz w/ SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU |
| GPU | 12.155 TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU |
| SOC Die Size | 360.45 mm |
| Process | 7nm Enhanced |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 w/ 320b bus |
| Memory Bandwidth | 10GB @ 560 GB/s, 6GB @ 336 GB/s |
| Internal Storage | 1 TB Custom NVME SSD |
| I/O Throughput | 2.4 GB/s (Raw), 4.8 GB/s (Compressed, with custom hardware decompression block) |
| Expandable Storage | Expansion Card (matches internal storage exactly) |
| External Storage | USB 3.2 External HDD Support |
| Optical Drive | None |
| Performance Target | 4K @ 60 FPS, Up to 120 FPS |
Gallery[]
Videos[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sones, Roanne (June 9, 2024). "More Choices Than Ever Before with Three New Xbox Series X|S Consoles Coming Holiday 2024". Xbox Wire. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ Walsh, Erica (April 16, 2019). "Introducing the Newest Member of the Xbox One Family – the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition". Xbox Wire. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Sones, Roanne (August 21, 2024). "Pre-Order Three New Xbox Series X|S Console Options Starting August 21". Xbox Wire. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ Main, Nikki (September 19, 2023). "FTC Says Microsoft Leaked Its Own Xbox Plans". Gizmodo. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ Lyles, Taylor (September 21, 2023). "All the Major Revelations From the FTC vs. Xbox Court Document Leaks". IGN. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ Bowden, Zac (July 30, 2024). "Xbox Series X 2024 refresh (Brooklin): Features, price, design, and everything we know". Windows Central. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ Stedman, Alex (September 20, 2023). "Xbox's Phil Spencer Acknowledges Massive Court Document Leak: 'So Much Has Changed'". IGN. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ eXtas1s (March 27, 2024). "[Exclusive Here’s Your First Look At The Upcoming White, All-Digital Xbox Series X]". eXputer. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ eXtas1s (February 23, 2024). "[Exclusive Microsoft Has An All-Digital, White Xbox Series X In The Works]". eXputer. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ West, Jerret (June 9, 2024). "Xbox Games Showcase 2024: Every Announcement and Reveal". Xbox Wire. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ Martin, Cole (June 10, 2024). "Xbox president Sarah Bond announces three new pieces of Xbox hardware, including the all digital Series X". Windows Central. Retrieved on March 6, 2025.
- ↑ Rai, Priye (October 28, 2024). "Xbox Fans Split on Series X Console Change". Gamerant. Retrieved on March 6, 2024.
| Xbox Gen 9 | |
| Consoles | Xbox Series X (Bundles) (Variants) • Xbox Series S (Bundles) (Variants) • Xbox Series X Digital Edition • Brooklin • Ellewood |
|---|---|
| Accessories | Xbox Wireless Controller (Variants) • Sebile • Seagate Storage Expansion Card • Console Wraps • Xbox Play & Charge Kit • Xbox Series X Launch Team controller |
| Games | All Games • Optimized for Series X • Available on Game Pass |
| Features | Quick Resume • Smart Delivery • Dynamic Latency Input • Xbox Velocity Architecture • FPS Boost • Dynamic Backgrounds |
| Software | New Xbox Experience (2020) |
| Services | Xbox Live • Xbox Live Gold • Xbox Game Pass • Xbox Game Pass Ultimate • Xbox All Access |
| Events | Xbox 20/20 • Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2021 • Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase 2022 |
| Refrigerators | Xbox Series X Fridge • Xbox Mini Fridge • ZOA Xbox Series X Mini Fridge |
| Consoles and other devices | |
| Development kits | Xbox Alpha Tower I • Xbox Alpha Tower II • Xbox Development Kit • Xbox 360 Development Kit • Xbox One Development Kit |
|---|---|
| Sixth generation | Xbox • Bundles |
| Seventh generation | Xbox 360 • Xbox 360 S • Xbox 360 E • Bundles |
| Eighth generation | Xbox One • Xbox One S • Xbox One X • Xbox One S All-Digital Edition • Bundles |
| Ninth generation | Xbox Series X • Xbox Series S • Xbox Series X Digital Edition |
| Cancelled | Xbox Prototype • Unreleased Limited Edition Halo Xbox • Xbox Watch • Brooklin • Ellewood |