Xbox X
In late 2025, the Xbox Series X remains a technical powerhouse, delivering whisper-quiet performance and buttery smooth framerates in heavy hitters like Black Ops 6 and Starfield, but its value is severely compromised by a steep price hike to $649.99. While the "Monolith" design holds up and features like Quick Resume continue to feel like next-gen magic, the combination of expensive proprietary storage and an ad-cluttered dashboard makes it a tough sell for newcomers. Ultimately, it is a fantastic, hassle-free machine for dedicated Game Pass subscribers, but the premium cost for five-year-old architecture means the Series X is now a luxury rather than a bargain.