Xbox Series S Price Plummets as New Game Pass Bundle Drops

The $299 Console Steals the Spotlight Again: Why Xbox Series S Is 2025’s Sleeper Hit Introduction Microsoft’s budget-friendly Xbox Series S is trending hard in mid-2025, and for good reason. With a fresh round of summer discounts, a packed Game Pass lineup, and rumors of a refreshed model on the horizon, the tiny white box is punching well above its weight. Here’s everything shoppers, parents, and value-hunters need to know right now. 1. Biggest Price Drop Since Launch Major retailers have slashed the 512 GB Xbox Series S to $249 in the U.S., £219 in the U.K., and €249 across much of Europe for the July “Freedom Sale.” Microsoft is expected to keep the lower MSRP through back-to-school season to clear inventory before the rumored holiday hardware refresh. Deal trackers show bundles with an extra controller or three months of Game Pass Ultimate for under $300, making Series S the cheapest new-gen entry point by a wide margin. 2. Carbon Black 1 TB Model Quietly Phased Out If you prefer the matte-black finish and doubled storage, move fast. Multiple retailers list the 1 TB Series S “Carbon Black” as out of stock, mirroring a June 2024 report suggesting Microsoft is discontinuing that SKU in favor of a new, slimmer 1 TB variant later this year. Expect the last remaining units to spike on the secondary market once official word drops. 3. Game Pass Keeps the Library Fresh Low hardware cost isn’t the only lure. Game Pass just added Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4 Remaster, Dungeons & Dragons: Neverwinter Nights 2 Enhanced Edition, and RoboCop: Rogue City – Unfinished Business, all optimized for Series S/X. July also brings critically acclaimed indies like Minami Lane and Loombound, while heavy hitters Hellblade 2 Enhanced and Gears of War: Reloaded arrive in August. The constant stream of day-one titles neutralizes the smaller internal SSD—just uninstall and redownload as needed. 4. Performance Check: 120 Hz on a Budget Gamers still worried about 1440p ceilings can relax. Most first-party releases now target 60 fps or offer 120 fps performance modes on Series S, thanks to developer-friendly upscaling like FSR 3 and UE5 Nanite/Lumen tweaks. Competitive staples—Fortnite, Rocket League, Apex Legends—run at high frame rates with minimal compromise, and Dolby Vision HDR remains exclusive to Xbox in the console space. 5. Storage Solutions Without Breaking the Bank The Seagate and WD _Black 1 TB Expansion Cards have dropped to $129, while USB 3.2 SSDs handle last-gen libraries for half that price. According to Microsoft’s summer firmware update, cold-storage transfers now copy 30 % faster, easing the swap between external drives and the internal NVMe. 6. What to Expect Next: ‘Ellewood’ Rumors Leaked FTC filings from 2024 referenced “Ellewood,” a mid-cycle 6 nm revision of Series S targeting 1 TB base storage, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3, and a 15 % GPU clock bump. Industry analysts believe the redesign will debut this November at the existing $299 price point. Until then, the current Series S remains the cheapest ticket into Starfield, Fable, and Avowed later this year. 7. Buyer’s Guide Cheat Sheet • Best bundle right now: Series S 512 GB + extra Shock Blue controller + 3-month Game Pass Ultimate for $279 • Must-download Game Pass titles: Starfield, Sea of Thieves, Hi-Fi Rush, Palworld, and the brand-new Tony Hawk 3 + 4 • Essential accessories: 1 TB Expansion Card, rechargeable controller battery pack, USB-C headset with mic monitoring Conclusion Whether you’re hopping in for Fortnite with friends, seeking an affordable 4K streaming box, or eyeing Game Pass for day-one releases, Xbox Series S is having a renaissance moment in 2025. With a record-low price, a giant subscription library, and whispers of a sleeker upgrade looming, there’s never been a better time to pick up Microsoft’s pint-sized powerhouse.