Our Take
The Xbox Series S 1TB Carbon Black is Microsoft's compact, all-digital current-gen console aimed at budget-conscious gamers who don't need a disc drive. It targets 1440p gaming rather than 4K, making it a sensible secondary console or a first step into the current generation without the higher price tag of the Series X.
Key Features
1TB custom NVMe SSD internal storage (up from 512GB on the original white model)
Targets up to 1440p resolution with upscaling to 4K on supported titles
Supports up to 120fps on compatible games
Ray tracing support included at the hardware level
Xbox Velocity Architecture for faster load times and quick resume across multiple games
All-digital only — no disc drive fitted
Our Verdict
A sensible buy for anyone wanting current-gen gaming on a tighter budget, particularly if they're already invested in Game Pass. Not right for physical-media collectors, 4K enthusiasts, or anyone planning a large game library without budgeting for extra storage.