Microsoft officially makes it cheaper to add Xbox Series X SSD storage

Microsoft and Seagate are introduce two new SSD expansion cards to boost Xbox Series X/S storage: A cheaper 512GB option, and a hefty 2TB version that's more expensive than an Xbox Series S.

Seagate is introducing two new Xbox Series X/S SSDs to help fill out the price spectrum: a 512GB SSD for $139 that will be available mid-November, and a 2TB SSD for an eye-watering $399 that's coming in December, which is more than the Xbox Series S' MSRP of $299. Each drive has the same performance of an internal Xbox Series X/S SSD.

By December, Xbox gamers will have three options to upgrade their next-gen Xbox storage:

• 512 GB for $139 - Pre-order here
• 1TB for $219 - Order here
• 2TB for $399 - Pre-orders unavailable

Seagate's drives are no-fuss and slot right into the Xbox consoles via CFExpress delivery cards. There's no need to check speeds, format anything, or open the console like with the PlayStation 5. Heatsinks are also unncessary.

These SSDs are required for gamers who want to move games with Xbox Series X optimizations intact. Games with Series X/S optimizations installed cannot be launched from HDDs, and can only be stored on these lower-end drives. The titles must instead be launched from high-speed SSDs.

Storage has always been an issue for next-gen consoles--the PS5, in particular, only has 667GB of usable space whereas the Xbox Series X has 802GB after formatting and OS partitions--and Game Pass is a big delivery mechanism for Xbox.

It'll be interesting to see if other partners roll out storage solutions soon. If you don't want to pay these prices, you could try your luck with this $30 adapter.