The Xbox Series S is part of the fourth generation of Xbox home consoles.

Microsoft is prioritizing hardware performance, including support for higher display resolutions (up to 8K resolution) along with frame rates, real-time ray tracing, and use of high-speed solid-state drive to reduce loading times, on the Xbox Series X. The Xbox Series S uses the same CPU and reduced GPU, memory, and internal storage and lacks an optical drive.

Microsoft is promoting a gamer-centric approach to their new hardware, including free upgrades which are enhanced versions of Xbox One games via their "Smart Delivery" initiative, games optimized for the Series X hardware, and backward compatibility with previous generation Xbox games, controllers and accessories. The console will also take advantage of their game subscription service Xbox Game Pass, as well as remote cloud gaming on mobile devices via their cloud game-streaming platform xCloud.