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Leaked Xbox Series X photo shows ports, suggests less focus on home theater

 
A photo leaked to NeoGaf by a user named CurryPanda gave our first look at the ports on an Xbox Series X prototype. The photo gained credibility when it was verified as authentic by Brad Sams from Thurrott, a site that specializes in covering Microsoft.

Up front, one USB Type-A port is flanked by a button. A disc drive and Xbox logo are visible as well.

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Around back, two USB Type-A ports are visible, both at least 3.0 based on their SuperSpeed labels. An Ethernet port, HDMI port, and S/PDIF port round out the options. A port labeled with the Xbox logo is clearly for the power supply. There’s also a large, uncommon port which, according to Sams, is “used for diagnostics” and won’t be included on the final hardware.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

A cable lock is visible, as well. That’s no doubt meant to keep the Xbox Series X prototype from wandering off and probably won’t be on final hardware. Obviously, it didn’t do its job.

You’ll also note a hole on the top-rear of the Xbox Series X prototype that looks like a handle. This might be used to remove the casing of the console. If so, it also won’t appear on the final version.

The ports shown on the leaked Xbox Series X Prototype are similar to current Xbox One consoles, with the notable exception of the HDMI-in and IR-out ports. Those extras make the Xbox One S and One X capable of controlling and interacting with other home theater devices. They’re not visible on the leaked Xbox Series X prototype. That’s a bummer to anyone who passes video through a current Xbox One console.

Xbox Series X Prototype
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Unlike the supposed reveal at AMD’s CES 2020 event, which turned out to be an unofficial render, this photo shows a prototype unit up close and brightly lit, leaving nothing obscured. The rear panel includes a serial number along with the text “Xbox Product Name Placeholder” and “Prototype – Not For Sale.”

Don’t take this photo to be the last word on Xbox Series X connectivity. The console is still months away from its full reveal and won’t arrive until the end of 2020. A lot, or a little, could change between now and then.

Find out more about the Xbox Series X.

Matthew S. Smith
Matthew S. Smith is the former Lead Editor, Reviews at Digital Trends. He previously guided the Products Team, which dives…
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