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Microsoft announced the 1TB Carbon Black Xbox Series S on June 11, 2023, with availability beginning September 1 and a U.S. launch estimated retail price of $349.99. The update added a black finish and doubled the original Series S’s built-in storage from 512GB to 1TB; Xbox said speed and performance remained the same. It is still an all-digital console: it does not play physical game discs.
What changed in the Carbon Black 1TB model?
The key differences were storage capacity and color. The original Series S came with a 512GB SSD; the Carbon Black model has a 1TB custom NVMe SSD. Xbox described this as double the storage, while saying the console retained the same next-generation speed and performance as the 512GB version. The announcement details appear in Xbox’s June 11, 2023 announcement and its September 1, 2023 availability update.
The finish is matte Carbon Black, which Xbox said matched the look of the Series X and Xbox Wireless Controller. Xbox also noted the console used post-consumer recycled resins. It listed features including Quick Resume, fast loading, and gameplay support up to 120 FPS; actual frame rates depend on the game and display.
When did it come out, and what was its launch price?
Xbox announced the console on June 11, 2023, and said it would be available beginning September 1, 2023. The announced U.S. estimated retail price was $349.99. That is the launch-era price, not a statement of what the console costs now.
#1 Best Overall
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
In June 2024, Xbox introduced a 1TB Robot White Series S and said the Carbon Black version could still be purchased “while supplies last.” That was lineup context at the time, not confirmation of current stock or a definitive production end date. The 2024 lineup announcement does not establish whether a retailer currently has the black console available.
Microsoft’s October 3, 2025 U.S. pricing document lists $449.99 for a Series S 1TB, but it does not establish the Carbon Black model’s price or availability in October 2026. Prices and inventory vary by market and seller. Check the exact color, model, condition, and current price before buying; Microsoft’s Store product page is dynamic and region-sensitive.
Rank #2
- XBOX SERIES S 1TB: Go all digital and experience next-gen speed and performance. Double the fun with double the storage.
- FASTER LOAD TIMES: Make the most of every gaming minute with Quick Resume, lightning-fast load times, and gameplay of up to 120 FPS – all powered by Xbox Velocity Architecture.
- IN THE BOX: Xbox Series S 1TB console, one Xbox Wireless Controller, an ultra high-speed HDMI cable, power cable, and 2 AA batteries.
- SURROUND SOUND: Enhance gameplay with both full-spectrum visuals and immersive audio with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
- DISCOVER YOUR NEXT FAVORITE GAME: Get the most out of your Xbox Series S with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (membership sold separately) and be the first to play new games like Starfield and Forza Motorsport on day one.
Does the 1TB Carbon Black Series S play discs?
No. The Series S is an all-digital console and does not support game discs. Games must be accessed digitally, so a collection of physical Xbox game discs cannot be played on this model. Xbox’s Series S specifications page describes the console as all-digital.
For players who need physical-disc playback, compare a console configuration with a disc drive, such as an applicable Xbox Series X model. The practical differences to check include disc support, target resolution, storage, and local price and availability; those details vary by configuration and market.
Rank #3
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
What can you expect from the Series S?
Xbox positions the Series S for 1440p gaming, with the ability to upscale to 4K. Its specifications also list support for gameplay up to 120 FPS, subject to supported content and a suitable display. These are manufacturer-stated capabilities, not a guarantee that every game runs at that resolution or frame rate.
The 1TB SSD provides more built-in space than the original 512GB model, but it does not change the console’s digital-only design or the performance Xbox described. If you need more capacity, Xbox lists Storage Expansion Cards for Series X|S as an optional way to expand console storage. An expansion card is a separate accessory, not part of the console’s included 1TB.
Rank #4
- Access your favorite entertainment through apps like YouTube, Netflix, and more
- Enjoy over 100 games right out of the box with a 1 month Xbox Game Pass trial
- Watch 4K Blu-ray movies and stream 4K video on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Microsoft Movies & TV, and more
- Play with friends and family near and farsitting together on the sofa or around the world on Xbox Live, the fastest, most reliable gaming network
- Xbox One games and accessories work together
How does it compare with the original 512GB Series S?
| Feature | Original Series S | Carbon Black Series S |
|---|---|---|
| Built-in storage | 512GB SSD | 1TB custom NVMe SSD |
| Color | Robot White | Matte Carbon Black |
| Disc playback | No; all-digital | No; all-digital |
| Speed and performance | Baseline Series S model | Xbox said it matched the 512GB Series S |
| U.S. launch estimated retail price | not stated in the cited Carbon Black announcement | $349.99, announced June 11, 2023 |
The table reflects the original comparison Xbox made when announcing the Carbon Black edition; it is not a current retail-price comparison. For current model options and specifications, consult Xbox’s Series S page.
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Best Value
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
