Xbox One S in stores from August 2

The 2TB version of Microsoft's upcoming Xbox One S will be available from Australian retailers from August 2 at an asking price of AUD$549. The Xbox One S is 40% smaller than Microsoft's original console, and features an internal power supply (rather than a chunky power brick), saving even more space.

While the smaller form factor is well and good, support for 4K content is the Xbox One S' other key feature. The slim new console won't play 4K video games, but it is able to handle 4K content through streaming services and 4K UHD Blu-Ray discs. HDR is also available for both video and select games (Gears of War 4 and Forza Horizon 3 will be the first titles to support HDR). At a launch price of AUD$549, the Xbox One S is surprisingly good value when compared to dedicated 4K Blu-Ray players from the likes of Samsung and Panasonic, which currently start at AUD$599.

Microsoft will be also launching a 500GB and 1TB configuration of the Xbox One S before the end of the year, but local pricing for either has yet to be confirmed. In the US, these will be priced at USD$300 and USD$350, respectively, while the 2TB model is going on sale for USD$400.