Xbox Series X UI Update Explained: 4K Dashboard and Night Mode

The October Xbox Series X UI Update was rolled out this week, releasing some nifty new features to those with a gaming console from Microsoft.

From the new natively rendered 4K dashboard, to night mode and Quick Settings, here's a breakdown of the Xbox UI Update for October.

Xbox Series X UI Update Explained: 4K Dashboard and Night Mode

4K Dashboard (Xbox Series X)

Perhaps the biggest addition to the new update is the ability for the Xbox Series X to deliver a native 4K resolution dashboard. Previously, the system's software could only upscale the Series X home screen from 1080p to 4K, which seemingly just wasn't enough for players with an eye for detail.

While browsing the Home, My Games & Apps, Guide and other experiences, UI elements on the screen, such as game art and buttons, will have increased sharpness and improved text readability.

Night mode

A new feature for all Xbox console players, night mode is a suite of settings that adjusts light sources to help keep rooms dark at night, support gamers who are sensitive to light and make it easier to sleep after gaming.

Night mode can be turned on or off manually, as well as set to align dynamically with players' local sunrise and sunset times, or their own custom schedules.

With night mode, players can adjust how much to dim all colors of light, as well as how much blue light to filter out from their display. The light and colors for screenshots and game clips are unaffected by night mode.

Players can also dim the white Xbox logo light on their console and controller in case it’s a distraction while watching movies in the dark, for example.

For more on Xbox, feel free to check out our coverage of the Xbox Series X 'Mini Fridge' preorder date and price.