Xbox One Release Dates: Launches by Model and Region
The original Xbox One launched in North America on November 22, 2013, with releases in other regions following over the next two weeks. Microsoft later released the Xbox One S in 2016 and the Xbox One X in 2017, so the release date depends on which Xbox One model and country you mean.
Original Xbox One release dates
Microsoft launched the first Xbox One on November 22, 2013, in 13 markets. The initial launch countries were Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, New Zealand, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The console was sold with a Kinect sensor at launch.
Availability expanded to additional countries in September 2014. The original launch was therefore not a single worldwide date: some buyers could purchase an Xbox One in 2013, while people in many other markets had to wait until the following year. Retail availability could also vary by country and retailer.
Xbox One S release dates
The Xbox One S, a smaller redesign of the original console, began shipping on August 2, 2016. Its first release was in selected markets, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of Europe. Further regional availability followed during 2016.
Unlike the 2013 console, the One S did not include a Kinect sensor in the box. It added a built-in power supply and support for 4K video playback and HDR on compatible displays. It remained part of the Xbox One generation: it could play Xbox One games rather than introducing a separate library of games exclusive to the S model.
Microsoft also sold an Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, which removed the disc drive. That version arrived on May 7, 2019. It played downloaded games and other digital content, but could not read game discs or Blu-ray discs. The All-Digital Edition is distinct from the standard One S, which has an optical disc drive.
Xbox One X release date
The Xbox One X launched worldwide on November 7, 2017. Microsoft presented it as the most powerful Xbox console available at the time, designed to improve performance and graphics in games that supported its enhancements. It could also play the broader Xbox One game library.
The One X was not a new console generation in the sense of requiring its own exclusive games. Developers could offer improvements such as higher resolution, steadier performance, or enhanced visual effects, but the extent of those improvements depended on each game. On a compatible 4K television, supported games could make use of the console’s higher-resolution output.
Quick timeline by model
- Xbox One: November 22, 2013, in the first 13 launch markets; expanded to additional countries in 2014.
- Xbox One S: August 2, 2016, with wider regional availability later that year.
- Xbox One X: November 7, 2017, worldwide.
- Xbox One S All-Digital Edition: May 7, 2019.
These are launch dates, not the dates each model stopped being sold. Availability and production changed over time, and used consoles may still be found through resale channels. A release date also does not tell you when a particular game launched; game release dates are separate from console launches.
How the Xbox One models differ
The names can be confusing because the Xbox One S and Xbox One X are revisions within the Xbox One family, not the next generation after it. Their games generally belong to the same console ecosystem, though the X and S models differ in hardware, physical size, and supported features.
- Original Xbox One: The 2013 model, originally bundled with Kinect. It has a disc drive and an external power supply.
- Xbox One S: A smaller 2016 model with a built-in power supply, a disc drive on standard versions, and 4K video playback support.
- Xbox One X: A more powerful 2017 model with a disc drive, intended to improve supported games and deliver 4K gaming in compatible titles.
- Xbox One S All-Digital Edition: A 2019 disc-free model. Games and media must be obtained digitally.
For someone choosing a used console, check the exact model name and whether it has a disc drive. A listing that says only “Xbox One” may refer to any of these models. Also remember that 4K video playback and 4K game rendering are different capabilities: a game’s resolution depends on the game and its settings, not just the console label.
Xbox One compared with the next generation
The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S launched on November 10, 2020. They are the generation that followed the Xbox One family, with newer hardware and features. Some games were released for both generations, but not every newer title supports Xbox One. Before buying a game, check its listed compatible consoles rather than assuming a Series game will run on an Xbox One.
Xbox One consoles can also play many older Xbox games through backward compatibility, but support is specific to individual titles. A game’s availability may depend on whether it is a supported digital download or a compatible disc, and the disc-free All-Digital Edition cannot use physical game discs.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the first Xbox One come out?
The original Xbox One launched on November 22, 2013, in 13 markets, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
When did the Xbox One S come out?
The Xbox One S began shipping on August 2, 2016. Its availability expanded to more countries during that year.
When was the Xbox One X released?
The Xbox One X launched worldwide on November 7, 2017.
When did the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition release?
It was released on May 7, 2019. Unlike other standard Xbox One S models, it has no disc drive.
Did every country get the Xbox One in 2013?
No. The first launch covered 13 markets. Microsoft brought the console to additional countries in 2014, so the local release date depended on the region.
Is the Xbox One the same generation as Xbox Series X?
No. Xbox Series X and Series S are the generation that followed Xbox One and launched on November 10, 2020. Some games span both generations, but compatibility is not universal.
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