Microsoft Xbox One S Review: Conditional Buy Verdict
A Reddit user described his Microsoft Xbox One S 500GB Console - White (Renewed) as “dead silent” even after replacing the stock fan and upgrading to a 2TB hybrid drive. His verdict? “An awesome piece of hardware, especially for the price.” Across platforms, it’s scoring between 4.2 and 4.7 stars, pointing to a solid middle ground between affordability, multimedia capability, and next-gen gaming features. Final score: 8.6/10.
Quick Verdict: Conditional Buy – Best suited for casual gamers, families, or those seeking an affordable 4K media hub. Heavy gamers may need external storage and should watch out for reliability issues on refurbished units.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable entry into 4K HDR gaming | Internal 500GB drive fills quickly |
| Slim, quiet design | Occasional missing bundled content |
| Built-in 4K Blu-ray player | Refurbished units can have wear or defects |
| Backward compatibility with Xbox 360 | Online play requires Xbox Live Gold |
| Smooth multimedia streaming | Potential hardware failures post-power surge |
| Good controller ergonomics | Rare issues with USB ports and controller sticks |
Claims vs Reality
Marketing frames the Xbox One S as the “ultimate 4K console” with built-in Ultra HD Blu-ray playback and HDR gaming. While Amazon’s spec sheet touts it as “professionally inspected and tested to work and look like new,” user feedback paints a nuanced picture.
Digging deeper into reports, 4K playback is indeed a standout feature—Best Buy reviewers repeatedly highlight “watching movies and playing games in 4K” as a selling point. Twitter user feedback notes it as “the most affordable, slim, silent and most efficient Xbox ever,” with the Blu-ray player alone “justifying the price.” Yet, while it supports 4K streaming, games themselves are typically upscaled rather than rendered natively in 4K—meaning competitive gamers expecting top-tier native 4K visuals may be disappointed.
Another claim is “ample storage for gaming needs.” In reality, multiple buyers point out that “500GB isn’t enough space these days.” Even Reddit’s tinkerer upgraded immediately to 2TB for his digital library. Officially, expansion via USB 3.0 is easy, but it’s an extra expense.
Lastly, “like-new condition” for refurbished units holds true for many, especially eBay buyers praising “looks brand new, no dents or visible scratches.” However, Fakespot analysis flags occasional quality lapses: sticky analog sticks, faulty USB ports, and intermittent shutdowns on some units—issues absent from marketing copy.
Cross-Platform Consensus
Universally Praised
Across Amazon, Best Buy, and Reddit, a recurring theme is how versatile the Xbox One S is as both a gaming device and media center. Families love its backward compatibility—one Best Buy parent said it plays “most Xbox 360 games, and a lot of Xbox originals,” making it ideal for households upgrading from older systems without losing their library. Movie enthusiasts embrace the 4K Blu-ray playback, often comparing its value favorably against stand-alone players. A buyer on Twitter called it “a no brainer” given that it replaced both his Apple TV and Blu-ray player.
Noise levels are another high note. The Reddit upgrader described his console as “dead silent,” and Twitter reactions call it “the quietest Xbox I’ve ever used.” This benefits late-night gamers or shared living environments where fan whine disrupts viewing.
Controller comfort gets strong praise—Best Buy users note “smooth controls” and “vastly improved” directional pads, enhancing accessibility for younger players. Families report wide genre appeal, from indie titles like Astroneer to blockbusters such as Battlefield 1.
Common Complaints
Storage limitations dominate complaints. Even moderate gamers fill 500GB quickly, as one Best Buy reviewer explained, necessitating external drives. The impact is amplified for digital-library users, who benefit from upgrades like the Reddit user’s 2TB mod.
Weaponizing value against refurb risks, some users warn of defects. A Microsoft Community poster faced catastrophic failures after a power surge—slow boot times, FPS drops, and inability to update or even set up post-reset, concluding it was “quite literally unusable.” Trustpilot feedback mentions noisy fans, scrapes, or battery issues in controllers within weeks of purchase. Missing bundled content is another sore point; ShopSavvy notes Minecraft skins and packs occasionally absent, with sellers only offering partial credits.
Online play requiring Xbox Live Gold is a surprise barrier for newcomers, as one Fakespot reviewer noted: “You need Xbox Live Gold to play games online. Otherwise, it’s awesome.”
Divisive Features
The console’s upscaled 4K gaming divides opinion. Casual players appreciate the crisp visuals on big screens; a Reddit user felt Skyrim SE looked “just as good” as his former PC setup. Yet competitive gamers accustomed to native resolutions view the scaling as a compromise.
Refurbished units polarize buyers—many report flawless “like-new” performance, others encounter mechanical faults. Those willing to tinker or replace minor components may find refurb savings worth it; risk-averse buyers might prefer new units.
Trust & Reliability
Fakespot data suggests about 60.6% of reviews are reliable, with some deception indicators tied to overly generic praise. Patterns reveal that while most refurbished units perform well out-of-box, there’s a minority where hardware faults emerge quickly—USB malfunctions, controller wear, and shutdown loops.
Long-term Reddit stories are sparse, but the tinkerer’s upgraded system ran flawlessly for months, indicating potential longevity when maintained well. Conversely, the Microsoft Community case demonstrates how a single electrical event can cripple the system beyond consumer repair channels—reinforcing advice to use surge protection.
Trustpilot notes secure packaging and “works perfectly” impressions, though altered reviews hint sellers might filter feedback to maintain ratings.
Alternatives
Competitor comparisons draw two main references: the Xbox One X and PlayStation 4. Twitter users admit the One S’s “thunder has been stolen by Xbox One X” in raw power, but position the S as the quieter, more affordable alternative. One user bluntly stated it was “better than PlayStation 4” for graphics and free games via Xbox Live Gold—though library preference remains subjective.
Price & Value
Prices fluctuate widely—from sub-$200 Black Friday steals noted by Best Buy buyers to over $300 on Amazon, with eBay refurbished listings ranging $92 to $270 depending on accessories and condition. Bulk holiday discounts make it especially attractive for families buying multiple units.
Resale value holds moderately; working refurbished consoles command $150–$200 months after purchase. Community tips include pairing the low-cost base console with a $50 external drive to sidestep storage issues, and confirming bundled digital codes before buying to avoid missing content.
FAQ
Q: Does the Xbox One S play native 4K games?
A: No, games are typically upscaled to 4K. The console does support native 4K for movies and streaming services.
Q: How many games fit on 500GB storage?
A: Roughly 8–12 modern AAA titles, fewer if downloading large add-ons. Many users recommend an external USB 3.0 drive.
Q: Is a refurbished Xbox One S safe to buy?
A: Many buyers report “like-new” units, but some face component failures. Purchase from sellers with strong return policies and warranties.
Q: What’s the biggest difference from Xbox One X?
A: The One S is quieter, smaller, and cheaper, but less powerful and does not render native 4K gameplay.
Q: Can I play Xbox 360 discs on it?
A: Yes, it supports select Xbox 360 and original Xbox titles via backward compatibility.
Final Verdict: Buy if you’re a casual gamer, 4K movie enthusiast, or family upgrading from older consoles. Avoid if you expect native 4K gaming or plan to store a large digital library without investing in expandable storage. Pro tip from the Reddit community: upgrade to a larger hard drive early—it transforms the console’s convenience and longevity.
