Microsoft Xbox Series X

The Xbox Series X is the right console for Game Pass subscribers in 2026. At $799, it is essentially identical to the PS5 Slim on hardware (the same generation custom AMD silicon, the same 16GB unified memory tier, the same SSD storage), and the choice between them is almost entirely about which game library you want and which subscription service you value. For buyers who play across PC and Xbox, who value the Microsoft first-party output, or who want maximum games-per-dollar through Game Pass Ultimate, this is the right answer.

Game Pass Ultimate at $24.95 per month in Australia is the value proposition that defines this console. The subscription gives you access to hundreds of AAA games including same-day Microsoft first-party releases, the entire Bethesda catalogue (Starfield, Doom Eternal, the upcoming Elder Scrolls VI), the entire Activision Blizzard catalogue (Call of Duty, Diablo IV, World of Warcraft, the upcoming Crash Bandicoot 5), and a long-running rotation of third-party AAA games. Compared to PS Plus Premium at $179.95 per year (which is more expensive and has a smaller library), Game Pass Ultimate is materially better value for any buyer who plays more than four or five new AAA games per year.

The Microsoft first-party output has improved meaningfully since the launch generation. Forza Motorsport and Forza Horizon 5 remain the strongest racing-game lineup outside Gran Turismo. Halo Infinite is in active service and the next mainline Halo is rumoured for 2027. Gears of War: E-Day launches late 2026. Sea of Thieves is the long-running multiplayer hit. Hi-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and Hellblade II represent the smaller-budget creative work from Microsoft's studio acquisitions. The Bethesda and Activision acquisitions have narrowed but not closed the PlayStation exclusive gap; if you specifically want Spider-Man, God of War, or Gran Turismo, you need a PlayStation.

Quick Resume is the under-appreciated software feature. The Series X holds five or more game states in memory simultaneously, so you can swap between Forza, Starfield, and Halo with no loading times. PlayStation does not have an equivalent; you suspend one game to play another. For buyers who play multiple games concurrently, this is a real workflow win.

The Xbox Wireless Controller is the third reason. The most comfortable mainstream console controller, also works natively on Windows PC, Mac, iOS, and Android. The DualSense's haptics and adaptive triggers are technically more advanced for games designed around them, but the Xbox controller is the right pick for cross-platform players because it works everywhere with no setup.

The trade-offs. Wi-Fi 5 instead of Wi-Fi 6 or 7 is showing the Series X's age (2020 launch). Storage expansion is proprietary Seagate Storage Expansion Cards at $250 for 1TB; PS5's M.2 NVMe slot is meaningfully cheaper. The tower form factor is taller than PS5 and less flexible for TV cabinet placement. Microsoft has not announced a Pro mid-gen refresh and is rumoured to skip straight to a next-gen Xbox in 2027-2028; for buyers who want maximum visuals, PS5 Pro is the answer.

The Australian buyer context. JB Hi-Fi at $799 is the price leader and matches Microsoft Direct. EB Games offers trade-in programmes that drop effective price by $100-200. Big W and Target run aggressive bundle pricing around Click Frenzy and EOFY (extra controller bundles routinely add $40-60 of value). Game Pass Ultimate is $24.95/month and is the actual value proposition; if you do not subscribe, Series X loses to PS5 Slim on game library breadth despite being equivalently priced.

The trade-off versus the PS5 Slim. PS5 Slim at $799.95 (Disc) is the same hardware tier with PlayStation's exclusive game library (Spider-Man 2, God of War Ragnarok, Gran Turismo 7, the upcoming GT6). Xbox Series X has Game Pass Ultimate's library breadth and the Microsoft first-party catalogue. The choice is purely about which library you want; both consoles are equivalently excellent at the same money.

The trade-off versus the Xbox Series S. Series S at $499 is the budget Xbox at lower hardware tier (4 TFLOPS vs 12 TFLOPS), all-digital, 512GB internal storage, 1440p target resolution. For buyers without a 4K TV or who do not particularly notice graphics quality, Series S is the right answer at $300 less. For 4K-TV owners who want the best Xbox experience, Series X earns its premium.