In January 2022, Microsoft officially ended production of the Xbox One, signaling the end of an era for this gaming console. If you're still considering purchasing one, you’ll need to look for second-hand or refurbished options. But if you want something brand new, consider the Xbox Series X or the digital-only Xbox Series S.
Should You Buy an Xbox One in 2022?
While it’s possible to find games released in 2021 for the Xbox One, it’s unlikely that newer releases will support the console moving forward. If you’re okay sticking with older titles, the Xbox One is more affordable than ever, especially on second-hand sites like eBay. However, if you’re hoping to play the latest games, it might be better to opt for a newer model.
For those seeking the more powerful Xbox One X, continue reading for T3’s review when it was still available.
The Xbox One Experience
The Xbox One was designed with gaming at its core, but it lacks some of the features offered by its successors, like 4K and HDR support in the Xbox One S and Xbox One X models. Nevertheless, the original Xbox One is still a solid machine that can run nearly every game in its library, as well as backward-compatible titles from previous generations.
While Kinect 2.0 is no longer relevant, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate has enhanced the Xbox One’s appeal. With access to a vast library of games, including all current and future Microsoft first-party titles, this service continues to add value to the console. Even though Microsoft has struggled with exclusive titles in this generation, it’s preparing for the next with an expanded lineup of in-house studios.
Design and Hardware
The Xbox One’s design is far from sleek—it’s a bulky, industrial machine, often compared to a Betamax recorder. Measuring 263 x 80 x 305 mm and weighing about 3.2kg, it’s cast in 'Liquid Black' with a reflective surface and a large vent. It’s best placed flat under your TV, with the Kinect sensor sitting at the front.
The back of the console houses several ports, including HDMI-in, HDMI-out, three USB ports, Ethernet, optical audio, and an IR port. There’s also a disc slot for Blu-ray discs, but you’ll need to download the app for it to work.
Under the hood, the Xbox One features an eight-core x86 processor, a 853 MHz GPU, 500GB of storage, 8GB RAM, and 32MB eSRAM. It also supports wireless networking with built-in Wi-Fi.
Setup and User Interface
Setting up the Xbox One is straightforward. The Kinect, power cable, and set-top boxes (for watching live TV) easily connect to the back of the console. Once you power it up, you can log into an existing Xbox profile or create a new one. If you have Xbox Live Gold, it activates automatically, and you can link your profile to the Kinect for easy login.
The New Xbox Experience (NXE) launched in 2015, drastically improving the interface from its earlier Windows 8-based design. Now, the console’s content is organized into four sections—Home, Community, OneGuide, and Store—making it easier to navigate and access your favorite features. Game Hubs allow players to track progress, share screenshots, and interact with friends, while the Store divides content into categories for a cleaner browsing experience.
The Panel: A Game-Changer
One of the best additions to the Xbox One UI is the Panel. By pressing the Xbox button or flicking the left analog stick while on the Home tab, you can quickly access important features like messages, party chat, and system settings. This feature was sorely missed in the early version of the console and is a highlight for modern users.
While the Xbox One may not support the latest games and features like newer models, it remains a powerful, affordable option for those who are happy with older games and don’t mind missing out on the latest technology. With the addition of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, it still offers access to a massive library of games, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers. However, if you’re after the cutting-edge experience, you might want to consider upgrading to the Xbox Series X or S.

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