Xbox Series X Review: Is Microsoft’s Console Still Worth Buying in 2026?

The Xbox Series X remains one of the most powerful gaming consoles available today, offering premium performance, ultra-fast loading times, and excellent value through Xbox Game Pass.

Even years after launch, Microsoft’s flagship console continues competing directly with Sony’s PlayStation 5 thanks to its strong hardware and smooth gaming experience.


Powerful Performance Still Impresses

The Xbox Series X was built for high-performance gaming.

The console delivers:

  • native 4K gaming,
  • up to 120 FPS,
  • ray tracing,
  • and extremely fast SSD loading speeds.

Games launch quickly, menus feel responsive, and overall system performance remains smooth even during demanding modern titles.

The hardware still competes with some gaming PCs in terms of visual quality and stability.


Quick Resume Is One of the Best Features

One of the biggest advantages of the Xbox ecosystem is Quick Resume.

This feature allows players to switch between multiple games almost instantly without restarting them completely.

For many users, this dramatically improves convenience and multitasking during gaming sessions.


Game Pass Gives Xbox Massive Value

Xbox Game Pass remains the console’s biggest selling point.

The subscription service provides access to hundreds of games, including major Microsoft releases on launch day.

For gamers who enjoy trying multiple titles every month, the value is extremely difficult to beat compared to purchasing games individually.


Backward Compatibility Is Excellent

Microsoft continues offering one of the strongest backward compatibility systems in gaming.

Players can access large libraries of older Xbox titles with:

  • improved loading speeds,
  • better frame rates,
  • and enhanced stability.

This makes the Series X especially attractive for longtime Xbox fans.


The Main Weakness

The most common criticism of the Xbox Series X is still the exclusive game lineup.

While Microsoft has expanded its studios significantly, many players still believe Sony offers stronger cinematic exclusives and single-player experiences.

Other downsides include:

  • expensive storage expansion cards,
  • occasional dashboard advertisements,
  • and limited physical design flexibility due to the console’s large size.

Quick Specs

Resolution Up to 4K
Frame Rate Up to 120 FPS
Storage 1TB SSD
Ray Tracing Yes
Quick Resume Yes
Game Pass Yes
Backward Compatibility Excellent
Noise Level Very Quiet
Best For Performance + Subscription Gaming


Pros

  • Excellent gaming performance
  • Ultra-fast SSD loading
  • Outstanding Game Pass value
  • Very quiet cooling system
  • Great backward compatibility
  • Smooth 4K gameplay

Cons

  • Fewer blockbuster exclusives than PS5
  • Storage upgrades are expensive
  • Dashboard ads bother some users
  • Large console size

Final Verdict

The Xbox Series X remains one of the best gaming consoles you can buy in 2026.

If you want:

powerful hardware,
smooth 4K gaming,
fast loading times,
and incredible subscription value,

…the Series X is still an excellent investment.

Microsoft’s ecosystem continues improving every year, and the combination of strong hardware plus Game Pass makes the Xbox Series X one of the most complete gaming platforms available today.

9.2
Our Score

Xbox Series X 

Experience brighter worlds, vivid imagery, and sharper details with 4K gaming and up to 120 FPS that makes everything feel so real it’s unreal. Seamlessly switch between your favorite games and pick up right where you left off with Quick Resume.