When Microsoft first unveiled the Xbox One X, they didn’t just release another console iteration; they dropped a gauntlet. Marketed as “the world’s most powerful console,” it was a direct response to the criticism of the original Xbox One’s underpowered hardware. It promised native 4K gaming, a premium build, and a level of performance that bridged the gap between console and PC gaming.
But that was then. Now, in late 2025, the gaming landscape has shifted dramatically with the dominance of the Xbox Series X and Series S. Yet, the Xbox One X remains a fascinating piece of hardware. It occupies a unique spot in the secondary market, offering features that even some modern consoles lack (like a disc drive compared to the Series S).
Whether you are looking for a budget-friendly 4K machine, a secondary console for the bedroom, or a robust media center, this deep dive will explore everything you need to know about the Xbox One X.
The “Project Scorpio” Legacy: Under the Hood
To understand why the Xbox One X holds up so well, you have to look at the engineering marvel inside the chassis. Microsoft called it the “Scorpion Engine,” and for good reason.
The Raw Power Numbers
At the heart of the system lies a custom 8-core CPU clocked at 2.3GHz. While the CPU architecture (Jaguar) was aging even at launch, Microsoft squeezed every ounce of performance out of it. However, the real star is the GPU. The Xbox One X boasts a 6-teraflop GPU clocked at 1.172GHz. To put that in perspective, the competing PlayStation 4 Pro only managed 4.2 teraflops.
This raw graphical horsepower is paired with 12GB of GDDR5 RAM. This was a massive leap over the standard 8GB found in most consoles of that generation. Microsoft dedicated 9GB of this memory strictly to games, leaving 3GB for the operating system. This massive memory bandwidth (326 GB/sec) allowed developers to use high-resolution textures that simply weren’t possible on the base Xbox One or the PS4 Pro.
Advanced Cooling: The Vapor Chamber
Packing that much heat into a box smaller than the Xbox One S required innovative thermal solutions. Microsoft utilized a liquid-cooled vapor chamber heatsink—technology usually reserved for high-end PC graphics cards like the GTX 1080. This allowed the console to run surprisingly quiet, even when rendering Red Dead Redemption 2 in native 4K.
Design and Build Quality: A Masterclass in Minimalism
If you place the Xbox One X next to the towering Series X or the VCR-like original Xbox One, the difference is striking. The One X is dense, compact, and incredibly sleek.
It features a matte black finish that resists fingerprints better than the glossy plastic of its predecessors. The power supply is internal, meaning no bulky power brick cluttering your floor. The physical footprint is shockingly small for the power it contains.
Port Selection and Connectivity
On the back, you’ll find a comprehensive suite of ports:
- HDMI Out (2.0b): Supports 4K at 60Hz, HDR10, and FreeSync.
- HDMI In: A relic of Microsoft’s “all-in-one” media vision, allowing you to pass a cable box through the console.
- USB 3.0 Ports: Three total (one front, two back).
- IR Blaster: Included on the front for controlling TVs and soundbars.
- S/PDIF Optical Audio: Essential for older high-end audio setups (a port sadly missing on the Series X).
The Gaming Experience: Does 4K Still Matter?
The primary selling point of the Xbox One X was always “True 4K.” But what does that mean in practice, especially years later?
Native 4K vs. Upscaling
Unlike the PS4 Pro, which often relied on “checkerboarding” (a clever rendering technique that approximates 4K), the Xbox One X frequently hits native 3840 x 2160 resolution. Games like Forza Motorsport 7, Gears 5, and Red Dead Redemption 2 look absolutely stunning on this hardware. The image clarity is crisp, with no jagged edges or blurriness.
Even when games don’t hit native 4K, the console uses dynamic resolution scaling. It drops the pixel count slightly during intense action to keep framerates smooth, then bumps it back up when things settle down. Because the starting resolution is so high, these drops are rarely noticeable to the naked eye.
High Dynamic Range (HDR)
Resolution is only half the story. The Xbox One X fully supports HDR10. If you have a compatible TV, this feature arguably impacts visuals more than 4K. HDR provides brighter whites, deeper blacks, and a wider color gamut. Neon signs in Cyberpunk 2077 pop off the screen, and the sun glare in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla looks blindingly realistic.
The “Xbox One X Enhanced” Library
Microsoft curated a list of games specifically patched to take advantage of the One X hardware. These “Enhanced” titles offer users a choice, usually between:
- Performance Mode: Targets 60 frames per second (FPS) at a lower resolution (usually 1080p or 1440p).
- Resolution Mode: Targets native 4K at 30 FPS with enhanced textures and shadows.
This flexibility was a precursor to the standard performance modes we see in the current Series X/S generation.
Media Capabilities: The Ultimate Home Theater Box
While gaming is the focus, the Xbox One X is arguably one of the best media players you can buy, even in 2025.
4K UHD Blu-ray Player
This is the killer feature that separates the One X from the PS4 Pro (which lacks a 4K drive) and the Xbox Series S (which is digital-only). If you are a movie buff who collects physical media, the Xbox One X is a fantastic, affordable 4K Blu-ray player. It supports Dolby Vision and HDR10 for discs, ensuring you get the best possible picture quality from your movie collection.
Streaming and Dolby Atmos
The console supports all major streaming apps—Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, YouTube—in 4K HDR. Furthermore, it supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X spatial audio. Whether you are using a high-end home theater receiver or just a compatible pair of headphones, the soundscape is immersive and precise.
Backward Compatibility: Playing History
One of Microsoft’s greatest achievements is its backward compatibility program, and the Xbox One X is arguably the best place to experience it outside of the Series X.
The Heutchy Method
The console doesn’t just play old games; it improves them. Using a technique known as the “Heutchy Method” (named after the engineer who developed it), the Xbox One X forces Xbox 360 and original Xbox games to run at higher resolutions.
- Original Xbox games: Run at 16x their original pixel count (near 4K).
- Xbox 360 games: Run at 9x their original pixel count.
Games like Red Dead Redemption (the original) or Ninja Gaiden Black look like modern remasters. Textures are cleaned up, and performance is locked. It breathes new life into classics without requiring you to buy a “remastered” edition.
Comparison: Xbox One X vs. The Competition
To truly understand the value of the One X, we must compare it against its peers and successors.
Xbox One X vs. PlayStation 4 Pro
This was the main battleground for years.
- Power: The One X is roughly 40% more powerful than the PS4 Pro. Multiplatform games almost always look and run better on Xbox.
- Media: The One X has a 4K Blu-ray drive; the PS4 Pro does not.
- Exclusives: PS4 Pro wins on exclusive games (God of War, Spider-Man), but One X wins on hardware capability.
Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series S
This is the most common dilemma for budget-conscious gamers in 2025.
- Resolution: One X targets 4K; Series S targets 1080p/1440p. If you have a 4K TV, the One X produces a sharper static image.
- Framerate: Series S is much better here. Its modern CPU allows for 60fps and 120fps in modern titles, whereas the One X is often stuck at 30fps due to its weak Jaguar CPU.
- Storage Speed: Series S uses an SSD (super fast loading); One X uses an HDD (slow loading).
- Disc Drive: One X has one; Series S does not.
- Verdict: If you play older games and watch 4K Blu-rays, get the One X. If you want to play the newest games like GTA VI (when available) at smooth framerates, the Series S is the future-proof choice.
Xbox One X vs. Xbox Series X
There is no contest here. The Series X is the successor. It does everything the One X does but twice as fast, with an SSD, ray-tracing capabilities, and double the frame rates. The One X is essentially the grandfather of the Series X design philosophy.
The Achilles Heel: The Hard Drive and Loading Times
No console is perfect. The biggest bottleneck of the Xbox One X is its storage. It shipped with a 1TB 5400RPM Hard Disk Drive (HDD).
In an era of instant-load SSDs, going back to a mechanical hard drive can be painful. Large open-world games can take over a minute to load initially. Texture streaming can sometimes hitch because the drive can’t feed data to the GPU fast enough.
The Upgrade Path: External SSD
Fortunately, this is easily mitigatable. The USB 3.0 ports on the Xbox One X are fast enough to support an external SSD. Moving your most-played games to an external Samsung T7 or SanDisk Extreme SSD can cut loading times by 30-50%. It’s a highly recommended upgrade that makes the console feel significantly more modern.
Is the Xbox One X Worth Buying in 2025?
We are deep into the “next-gen” lifecycle. So, why buy old hardware?
The Value Proposition
You can often find a used Xbox One X for significantly less than a new Series S. For that price, you are getting a machine that can still output a native 4K image, which the Series S cannot do.
The Ideal Use Cases
- The Bedroom Console: If you have a main setup in the living room but want something for the bedroom 4K TV, this is perfect.
- The Physical Collector: If you have hundreds of discs and don’t want to spend $500 on a Series X, the One X keeps your library alive.
- The Media Center: As a dedicated streaming and 4K Blu-ray box, it is cheaper and more versatile than many high-end standalone players.
However, you must be aware of the limitations. New games released in 2025 and beyond are increasingly leaving the Xbox One generation behind. You will miss out on “current-gen exclusive” titles.
Common Technical Issues and Maintenance
Since you will likely be buying this console second-hand, it is vital to know what to look out for.
Thermal Paste Dry-Out
The factory thermal paste Microsoft used was decent, but after 5+ years, it dries out. This causes the fans to ramp up like a jet engine.
- The Fix: If you are comfortable with electronics, opening the console and repasting the APU with high-quality thermal paste (like Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut) will make it whisper-quiet again.
HDMI Retimer Failure
Some units suffer from a faulty HDMI retimer chip, resulting in a “No Signal” issue on the TV.
- The Check: When buying used, always ask to see the console running on a TV, specifically in 4K mode.
FAQs: Your Quick Guide
Does the Xbox One X support Ray Tracing?
No. Hardware-accelerated Ray Tracing is a feature of the newer Series X and Series S consoles. The One X relies on traditional lighting techniques, though they are pushed to their limits and still look excellent.
Can I play Xbox Series X games on Xbox One X?
Mostly no, but with a caveat. You cannot download and run Series X exclusives natively. However, you can play them via Xbox Cloud Gaming if you have a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. The console acts as a streaming receiver.
Is the Xbox One X the same as the Xbox One S?
No. The One S is an entry-level machine capable of 1080p gaming and 4K video upscaling. The One X is a premium machine capable of native 4K gaming. The One X is significantly more powerful.
Does it support 120Hz?
Technically, the Xbox One X supports 120Hz output over HDMI 2.0 at 1080p and 1440p. However, very few games on the One X are optimized to hit 120fps. That is a feature mostly reserved for the Series X/S.
Can I use my old Xbox One controllers?
Yes. All Xbox One accessories (controllers, headsets, chatpads) work seamlessly on the Xbox One X. Incidentally, these controllers also work on the new Series X/S.
Conclusion: The Old King Still Has Power
The Xbox One X occupies a fascinating place in gaming history. It was the moment Microsoft proved they could build the best hardware on the market. In 2025, it is no longer the king of the hill, but it is far from obsolete.
For gamers on a budget who prioritize image quality (resolution) over frame rate, or for movie lovers needing a 4K Blu-ray player, the Xbox One X remains a steal. It is a premium-built, quiet, and capable machine that honors your back catalog of games better than almost anything else in its price bracket.
If you understand its limitations—namely the mechanical hard drive and the aging CPU—you will find that the Xbox One X is still a beast of a machine, offering a high-fidelity gaming experience that defies its age.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check the Market: Look at eBay, Mercari, or local listings. Aim for a price point around $150-$200.
- Plan for Storage: Budget an extra $60 for an external SSD to modernize the loading times.
- Get Game Pass: Pair this console with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to instantly access a library of games that look incredible in 4K.
The Xbox One X may have been succeeded, but for the discerning gamer, it hasn’t been replaced.
