In appearance, yes: Microsoft said the Xbox 360 E was designed to resemble Xbox One’s visual identity. Under the shell, no: the E is a refreshed Xbox 360, with specifications iFixit describes as nearly identical to the Xbox 360 S. Its teardown shows changes to the case and connections, not a new generation of console.
Why the Xbox 360 E looks like an Xbox One
Microsoft introduced the redesigned Xbox 360 at E3 on June 10, 2013, alongside Xbox One. The company said the E “resembles the Xbox One brand elements,” making the comparison intentional rather than coincidental. Microsoft described the redesign as an elegant, accessible new Xbox 360—not as an Xbox One variant. Microsoft’s E3 announcement also quoted executive Yusuf Mehdi saying the company had applied what it learned over the console’s first eight years.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Microsoft Xbox 360 250GB E Console (Renewed) | $215.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Microsoft Xbox 360 E 4GB Console (Renewed) | $164.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Microsoft XBOX 360 E 250GB Console | $160.07 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Xbox 360 E 4GB Console | $149.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Microsoft Xbox 360 E 4GB Console (Renewed) | $189.99 | Buy on Amazon |
That makes “Xbox One wannabe” a reasonable description of the E’s styling, but a misleading description of what it can do. The systems have different platforms and software libraries. At Xbox One’s 2013 launch, Microsoft executive Don Mattrick contrasted Xbox 360’s 512 MB of RAM and 500 million transistors with Xbox One’s 8 GB of RAM and more than 5 billion transistors. Those are figures from Microsoft’s launch statement, not independent measurements; the distinction is clear even without treating them as a direct performance test. Read Mattrick’s Xbox One launch remarks.
What the teardown reveals about the E
iFixit’s 2013 teardown examines a 250 GB Xbox 360 E. Its findings describe that unit; they should not be assumed to prove every production revision used identical internal components. iFixit calls the page a teardown, not a repair guide. See the Xbox 360 E teardown.
#1 Best Overall
The outer panels are easier to remove than on the S
iFixit found the E’s top and bottom panels easier to remove than the Xbox 360 S’s. The E drops the S’s chrome bezels, so there are fewer clips to release. Opening it still takes care: the teardown involves careful spudger work at the top panel and left side of the case. Easier panel removal is not the same as a guarantee that the console is simple or safe for every owner to repair.
The ports trade some older connections for a simpler rear layout
The E has four USB ports, one fewer than the S’s five. According to iFixit, its rear layout replaces the S’s separate A/V and S/PDIF ports with one composite-out jack. iFixit’s device reference also lists HDMI, A/V, Ethernet, Kinect, and a power-supply port. Because port details and cable needs matter when buying a used console, check the actual unit rather than relying on a listing photo or assuming an S cable setup will carry over unchanged. iFixit’s Xbox 360 E reference lists its connections and configurations.
Rank #2
The internal changes are modest
iFixit says the E’s technical specifications are nearly identical to the Xbox 360 S. In the 250 GB console it opened, the hard drive was labeled as an Xbox 360 S drive. The teardown also shows a separate front-button board, an RF module marked model 1575 rather than the S’s 1409, and a fan identical to the S fan. These observations document the examined unit; they do not establish that every E revision contains precisely the same parts.
Xbox 360 E vs. Xbox 360 S
| Comparison | Xbox 360 E | Xbox 360 S |
|---|---|---|
| Design | Angular, Xbox One-inspired styling; no chrome bezels, according to iFixit’s teardown. | Earlier Xbox 360 S design, with chrome bezels noted in the teardown. |
| USB ports | Four, according to iFixit. | Five, according to iFixit. |
| Legacy rear connections | iFixit says the rear layout replaces the S’s separate A/V and S/PDIF ports with one composite-out jack. | Separate A/V and S/PDIF ports, as described by iFixit. |
| Outer-panel access | iFixit found the top and bottom panels easier to remove than the S’s, though careful spudger work is still needed. | More difficult panel removal than the E in iFixit’s comparison. |
| Technical specifications | Nearly identical to the S, according to iFixit. | Nearly identical to the E, according to iFixit. |
For a used-console buyer, the practical differences are the available ports, the case, and the condition and included accessories of the particular unit. Neither the styling nor the teardown findings establish that the E is a generational upgrade over the S.
Rank #3
- 250 GB hard drive
- 1 Black Wireless Controller
- Built in Wi-Fi
- 1 month of Xbox LIVE Gold
- Region Code : NTSC
How to identify a used Xbox 360 E
iFixit lists 4 GB and 250 GB storage configurations and a circular power plug for the E. Confirm the storage and included power supply on the specific console: a seller’s description or a photo alone may not settle what is included or the unit’s condition.
- Inspect the console itself. Check the case, ports, and power connection, then compare them with iFixit’s Xbox 360 E device reference.
- Read the rear product label. Microsoft says Xbox 360 console labels include the manufacture date, serial number, product ID, and other information. Use the label on the unit to verify its identity rather than relying only on listing photos. Microsoft’s Xbox hardware identification guidance explains the label details.
- Check every needed connection and accessory. Match the console’s ports to your display and accessories, and verify what cables and power supply the seller actually includes. Microsoft’s guidance says Xbox 360 accessories should have a small oval holographic label in an indentation and an embossed Microsoft logo; inspect those signs when assessing a used accessory.
Launch context: historical prices, not current values
Microsoft said the redesigned E began shipping in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, and Australia on June 10, 2013, with rollout to other Xbox regions planned over the following months. The announcement gave estimated retail launch prices of $199.99 for the 4 GB console, $299.99 for the 250 GB edition, and $299.99 for the 4 GB Kinect bundle. These are 2013 launch prices, not estimates of today’s used-console value. Microsoft also reported 76 million Xbox 360 units sold worldwide and 48 million Xbox Live members at the time; neither figure is a current count. Microsoft’s announcement provides the original launch details.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Xbox 360 E console
- 1 Black Wireless Controller
- Built in Wi-Fi
- 1 month of Xbox LIVE Gold
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.
