By Sagar V. Mankar 
In late 2020, Microsoft made a bold move by launching two very different consoles as part of its next-generation gaming strategy: the Xbox Series X and the more affordable Xbox Series S. For a while, it seemed like the Xbox Series S was leading in overall sales due to its lower price point. However, new data from Circana reveals a shift in this trend. As of September 2024, the Xbox Series X has overtaken the Series S in sales within the U.S. market.
According to Circana’s recent sales report, the Xbox Series X now accounts for 51% of the total Xbox platform sales in the U.S., with the Series S making up the remaining 49%. In September 2024 alone, the sales split was even more pronounced, with the Xbox Series X representing 58% of sales. If this trend continues, the gap between the two consoles is expected to widen. This trend is particularly noteworthy given the $200 price difference between the two consoles.
This is particularly notable because earlier data showed the Series S leading in sales. In a major leak of Xbox court documents last year, it was revealed that by April 2022, 74.8% of Xbox Series owners globally had the Series S, while only 25.1% owned the Series X. At that time, analysts like Circana’s Mat Piscatella and Niko Partners’ Daniel Ahmad confirmed that by 2023, the global sales split was closer to 50/50, but the Series S still had a slight edge. Now, in the U.S. market at least, the Xbox Series X has pulled ahead.
Looking back to late 2020 and 2021, the Xbox Series X and even Sony’s PlayStation 5 were often out of stock at major retailers worldwide. This shortage likely boosted sales of the Xbox Series S, which was more readily available during the early years of the pandemic. Unlike its more expensive sibling, the Series S is an all-digital console and was easier to find when supply chains were disrupted. However, as of 2024, these stock issues are no longer a significant factor, leading to a shift in consumer preferences.
In other news, Circana also reported a significant decline in total hardware revenue, which fell by 44% in September 2024. Among gaming consoles, the Xbox Series S and X saw the sharpest drop, with a year-over-year decrease of 54%. In comparison, the PlayStation 5 experienced a 45% drop, and the Nintendo Switch saw a 23% decline. PlayStation 5 continued to lead the market in both units sold and revenue generated. The digital version of the PS5 accounted for 18% of all U.S. gaming hardware sales.