Our Take
The Xbox Series S 1TB in Carbon Black is Microsoft's compact, all-digital next-gen console aimed at budget-conscious players who don't need a disc drive. It sits below the Series X in performance but well above last-gen hardware, making it a sensible entry point into the current Xbox ecosystem for younger players or secondary-room setups.
Key Features
1TB custom NVMe SSD storage, doubling the original Series S's 512GB internal drive
All-digital design — no disc drive, games purchased and downloaded digitally only
Supports up to 120fps gameplay and 1440p native output (not native 4K)
Xbox Velocity Architecture enables fast load times and Quick Resume across multiple titles
Compatible with thousands of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and original Xbox titles via backwards compatibility
Game Pass Ultimate compatible, giving access to a large rotating library via subscription
Our Verdict
The 1TB Carbon Black Series S suits players on a tighter budget who are happy going fully digital and don't own a 4K display. It's also a strong second console or bedroom machine. Those wanting 4K gaming, disc playback, or maximum performance should stretch the budget to a Series X instead.