When the Xbox Series X launched in late 2020, it promised 4K gaming, fast load times, and a seamless ecosystem. Now, in 2025, with new competition from the PS5 Pro and evolving PC hardware, many are asking: is the Series X still a good buy?
The short answer: yes — especially if you’re a Game Pass user or want a future-friendly 4K console. Let’s dig deeper.
🔧 Performance & Specs (Still Solid)
CPU: 8-core AMD Zen 2 @ 3.8GHz
GPU: 12 teraflop RDNA 2 GPU
RAM: 16 GB GDDR6
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD (expandable via proprietary cards)
Target Output: 4K @ 60–120fps
Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-ray
In 2025, the Series X still holds its own. While not as powerful as the PS5 Pro or a high-end gaming PC, it’s more than capable of running current-gen games at high fidelity with smooth performance.
🎮 Game Library & Exclusives
The biggest leap for Xbox since launch has been in its first-party content. Thanks to acquisitions of Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, and others, the Series X now boasts major exclusives and enhanced versions of classics.
Notable First-Party Titles in 2025:
🛡️ Starfield: Echoes (expansion)
🚀 Avowed
⚔️ Fable Reborn
🔫 Halo: Dominion
🎮 Hellblade II (Pro patch for Series X)
🧟 Call of Duty: Black Ice (timed exclusive content)
These aren’t just filler titles — many are Game of the Year contenders, and all are optimized for Series X performance.
🟢 Xbox Game Pass: Still the Best Deal in Gaming?
Without question, Game Pass Ultimate remains Xbox’s biggest advantage:
Access to over 500 games, including day-one exclusives
Includes EA Play, cloud gaming, and PC Game Pass
New partnerships bring Ubisoft+ titles into the fold
Works seamlessly across Xbox, PC, and mobile
In 2025, Game Pass continues to outpace PlayStation Plus in value and accessibility.
📦 Hardware & Usability
The Series X continues to be a reliable and quiet console:
Quick Resume lets you jump between 4–6 suspended games
Near-instant boot-up and menu navigation
Solid thermals and whisper-quiet fans even during 4K gaming
Storage expansion is easy, though proprietary cards remain pricey
The hardware design still looks sharp — a minimalist black tower, easy to integrate into home setups.
📡 Cloud Gaming & Cross-Play
With Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) still evolving, you can:
Stream games to mobile or browser
Pick up your save across devices
Play with friends on PC or Xbox with built-in crossplay
Even without next-gen graphics, this flexibility is a major quality-of-life feature.
🎧 Multimedia & Ecosystem
4K Blu-ray playback
Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
Spotify, YouTube, Netflix, and streaming apps all run smoothly
Family sharing, child settings, and remote play options are intuitive
The Series X is a solid media hub, especially if you’re all-in on the Microsoft ecosystem.
✅ Pros
Still a powerful, capable 4K console
Expanding library of exclusives
Game Pass offers incredible value
Seamless multi-device play
Quiet, cool, and fast operation
❌ Cons
− Lacks the raw power of PS5 Pro or gaming PCs
− Proprietary storage is expensive
− Some new Xbox titles also come to PS5/PC (fewer full exclusives)
− Aging controller design (no haptic feedback like DualSense)
🏁 Verdict: Who Should Still Buy the Series X in 2025?
Yes for: Game Pass users, 4K TV owners, casual to mid-core gamers, and Xbox ecosystem fans
Maybe for: Hardcore gamers wanting max performance (who might prefer PC or PS5 Pro)
No for: Gamers who already own Series X and don’t need hardware upgrades yet
In 2025, the Xbox Series X is still a smart, stable choice for serious console gamers — and with the rumored Xbox handheld on the horizon, the ecosystem is only growing stronger.
