A:AnswerThank you for asking! A subscription is not necessary to purchase and play most games, however an active Xbox Live Gold membership is required to play games online.
A:AnswerNo. What he wants is an Xbox Series X. Do not buy him the series S. Trust me get the series X and I mean this with no disrespect to you or any woman or partner or whatever anywhere because no one is anything in this life without a strong wonderful person to support and care for them, but if this is purchased without using any shared funds like if you have your own income and make this purchase completely by yourself and he really enjoys Xbox and gaming he is going to be so happy because he would probably buy the S for himself even though he wants the X just to save money so the family can have better. He will never justify spending the $499+ depending on what's available and what bundle you pick on himself and he will buy the S and be happy that he has it. But it will always want the series X and know it exist and that he doesn't have one. So if you have a good husband and he has been in 360 land this long buy him the series X.
A:AnswerFrom what I've read the only difference is that the cheaper one was released for the holidays to make more sales. They are supposed to be the same hardware and everything. Just a holiday themed box.