Apart from the flagship next-gen Xbox Series X, Microsoft is also working on an affordable and less-powerful next-gen console dubbed Xbox Series S. For those who’re unaware, Microsoft generally launches two consoles every year covering two price brackets. While the top-end model targets the consumers who are looking for more power and 4K gaming, the cheaper one keeps the 1080p or 1440p gamers busy. Well, we are expecting the same to happen this year. In fact, a recent leaked Microsoft document even hints towards the affordable next-gen console. Furthermore, we now have the very first look at the expected specifications of the offering.
Xbox Series S appears on Microsoft document with codename ‘Lockhart’
As mentioned earlier, a new leaked Microsoft document has appeared online shedding more light on the affordable Xbox console. To recall, the Washington-based company revealed its powerful Xbox Series X with Project Scarlett. This codename was, of course, before the product received its official name. For those who’re unaware, Project Scarlett consists of two consoles codenamed Anaconda and Lockhart. Well, we have already seen the Anaconda snake engraving in the Series X board. This means that the remaining one should be our affordable version and this falls in line with the leaked document.
Gizchina News of the week
an Anaconda snake is etched into the Xbox Series X mainboard, so what's going to be eteched into Lockhart? pic.twitter.com/cV7oXoDZmO
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) March 17, 2020
Since Microsoft using this special Lockhart mode as a devkit for testing purposes, we can somewhat deduce the possible specifications of the product. With this profiling mode or devkit, the game developers get the profile for the performance that Microsoft wants to hit with its console. As per the document, Microsoft is looking at 7.5GB of usable RAM for its Xbox Series S console. Furthermore, we’re looking at an underclocked CPU speed and around 4 teraflops of GPU performance. To recall, the already revealed Xbox Series X makes use of 13.5GB of usable RAM along with 12 teraflops of GPU performance.
As mentioned earlier, Microsoft will target the 1080p or 1440p gaming with its next-gen affordable console. Unlike 4K, the 1080p or 1440p currently is one of the popular options among the gamers with the latter being a sweet between the two ends.
Launch, Availability
Looking at the previous trends, we’re expecting the Xbox Series S console to arrive alongside the top-end Series X offering. As of now, there is no official launch date announced by the company except the “Holiday 2020” as the teaser timeline. With that said, we’re looking more to hear about the product soon.
