A few months ago, Microsoft unveiled the sleeker version of the Xbox One original - the Xbox One S. The new gaming console support 4K video streaming and HDR. But how does the Xbox One S compares with the upcoming Xbox Scorpio in terms of specs and features?
What We Know So Far
Xbox Scorpio is not to be released until 2017. Still, Phil Spencer, Microsoft's head of Xbox, has already provided updates of the upcoming console. Microsoft is not worried with the competition since the Xbox Scorpio packs plenty of powerful features, way more than the Xbox One S. Given that, the 2017 console's price point is expected to be on the high end of the spectrum compared to gaming consoles available at the moment.
Spencer says that the new Project Scorpio has a long way to go before its release, but they decided to announce it early to help consumers make the choice of which console they want to buy. Here's what consumers can expect with the upcoming Xbox Scorpio and the now available Xbox One S.
Improved gaming performance
Basically, the main selling point of the Xbox Scorpio is its promise of an improved 4K gaming performance, much better than what the Xbox One S provides. With the Scorpio, gamers can enjoy buttery-smooth graphics clocked at 60GHz. Microsoft assures that the Xbox Scorpio can handle games and let them run at their highest resolution without dropping framerates. This is not the case with the Xbox One S since it only runs at a maximum of 30 framerates within a range of 917MHz frequency. Between a MHz and GHz clock battle, the Scorpio definitely wins.
Performance
Right now, the Xbox Scorpio is expected to be Microsoft's most powerful console yet. What Microsoft did is that they equipped the Scorpio with a six-teraflop capability, a far cry from 1.4-teraflop capability of the Xbox One S. This makes the Xbox Scorpio able to render impressive graphics and perform 4 times better than the Xbox One S. Gamers can expect a much-improved gameplay experience. Microsoft also added the game-dedicated AMD chips to support high fidelity VR, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 4K gaming experiences for gamers.
The Xbox One S, on the other hand, supports an upscale gaming performance thanks to its 4K video playback and Blu-ray support. The console also accommodates HDR gaming. but at a limited capacity.
Virtual Reality Support
Virtual reality support is one of the strongest selling points of the Xbox Scorpio. However, Microsoft has not yet developed its own VR headsets, which might require consumers to shell out a few hundred dollars more to get themselves a headset. Microsoft has not yet confirmed if they will use the Oculus Rift or HTC Vive for their VR support. They have the HoloLen though but only for augmented reality. This is also one feature that gamers will not find with the Xbox One S that makes the Scorpio the winner - again.
Streaming supports
Compared to the original Xbox One, the newer Xbox One S has a definite advantage when it comes to streaming supports. The recently released console can support 4K video playback and has a built-in 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. Instead of a dedicated Kinect port, which seemed irrelevant in the Xbox One, the One S has an integrated infrared (IR) blaster to help gamers configure the console with other devices and lessen the use of too many remotes.
But for the Xbox Scorpio, streaming games at 4K and high-fidelity VR is the norm. Project Scorpio also has the advantage of supporting HDR streaming that renders better video quality and sharper graphics for gamers without any lag. This provides the best gaming experience for gamers who want to have the best of visuals when they play.
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, the Xbox One S is obviously an upgrade of the Xbox One. The Xbox Scorpio, on the other hand, is Microsoft showing the gaming console industry that they are done with traditional consoles. The company has pulled out all the possible stops for the Xbox Scorpio to make it impressively powerful and provide gamers with a new gaming experience. But given the lack of a VR headset, gamers can only hope that Microsoft will be able to develop its own headset dedicated for VR. Perhaps by then, Microsoft can truly claim that their Xbox Scorpio is the best console for avid gamers.
