Xbox Series X storage: why 1TB may not be enough for gamers

Why storage size matters when buying a console

Choosing the right storage size has become one of the most important decisions when buying a games console, according to Engadget. The Xbox Series X mostly ships with 1TB of storage, which sounds generous next to the PlayStation 5 Slim's 825GB and the Nintendo Switch 2's 256GB.

The catch is that installing games from disc no longer saves much space. Engadget notes that even physical releases require large downloads in 2026, because an optical drive cannot match the read speeds of the internal solid-state drive.

Engadget also argues the Series X still has appeal even if it is no longer the newest console on shelves. It points to backwards compatibility stretching back decades and describes Xbox Game Pass as a better subscription deal than anything Sony currently offers, while admitting a preference for the Xbox controller design is a subjective view.

How much space 1TB really leaves you

The operating system takes a share of any console's drive before a single game is installed. On the Series X, Engadget says buyers may be left with 802GB or less of usable space for games and apps.

That figure is under pressure from modern releases. Engadget reports that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 needs about 137GB for its single-player campaign alone, before multiplayer content, while Grand Theft Auto 6 takes up roughly 225GB. On a 1TB console, only a handful of large titles may fit at once, forcing players to delete games that are not in active use.

The reason for these large sizes is media data. Games with native 4K support need high-resolution textures, and titles also carry many gigabytes of map, model and audio files. Engadget contrasts this with the Xbox 360 era, when output was usually capped at 720p and rendering a large open world was itself an achievement.

Why expanding later is expensive

Adding storage after purchase is possible, but Engadget highlights strict limits. To run Series X or Series S games from an external drive, players need an Xbox-compatible NVMe expansion card, a type of high-speed internal storage that plugs into the console.

Ordinary external solid-state drives can only store Series X/S games, not load them directly. Engadget calls that of limited use, unless the main goal is avoiding re-downloading a game when swapping it back to the internal drive.

The cost is the bigger obstacle. Engadget reports that a 1TB Seagate expansion card from Microsoft starts at around $200, with 2TB and 4TB versions costing considerably more.

The case for paying more upfront

Against those prices, Engadget points out that the 2TB Galaxy Black Xbox costs only $50 more than the 1TB Robot White model. Both are arguably overpriced when bought new, the site adds, noting that memory prices have been pushed up by demand linked to AI.

Engadget's advice is that buyers who spend most of their gaming time on console should aim for the Galaxy Black model, whether new or used. For heavy players, coping with a cramped drive later is described as both a hassle and an expensive problem to fix.

When 1TB is still enough

The guidance is not universal. Engadget stresses that 1TB can be a livable amount for some players, since many 2D and indie games come in below the 100GB mark.

It also notes that some people rarely play more than one or two games at a time, which keeps the space requirement low. The decision therefore comes down to playing habits: lighter or more focused players can stick with the standard drive, while anyone juggling several large releases at once is better served by 2TB from the start.