Gonna tag a bit off of what Val started with.
Packaging
The packaging is better than it used to be. MS had spent too much money on packaging, making it all pretty. They almost were trying turn the packaging into the boxes you get with Samsung and iPhones. WE have to pay for that. I would rather it come out of the price of the product because I will end up tossing the box once I know I am keeping it. Sony gets it right with KISS, barebones cardboard. MS could try to focus on even bringing down the cost of the packaging even more than they have.
Design
The design of the console is the best design that MS has ever had for a console in my opinion. It's better than the packaging they do because this is a VERY simple, small design for what you get inside. Sure they laid out the back of the console to match the S, but I am a freak and I end up pulling all the old cords out and put in the new cords. I want new, latest and greatest. Not gonna hook this up to OLD. I have no use for the stand that came with it, but it is a nice option for the design. Who knows maybe it will come in handy one day. The console, while supposedly smaller over all than the S, seems nearly identical in size. I have it sitting on top of my PS Pro now, and it's crazy how much deeper the Pro goes back behind it. (I flushed up the front). I don't like that we don't get a head set for a "premium" console, but I wouldn't use it anyway. But would be nice for others.
The controller is an Xbox One controller. Awesome quality, great feel with the artificial texture on the grips, blacked out buttons. You just can't go wrong with these controllers.
Sound
Everything sounds great, but I am using a Sony sound bar with subwoofer for "simulated" surround due to the space I have available in my condo. Because of that, I don't notice much change from my Xbox One S due to my limited audio hardware. I did watch the free movie about surfing in 4K UHD on this and it sounded REALLY good even with this sound bar.
Performance
Regarding the dash, it would have been nice if it was native 4K, but I understand the freedom of resources and I support that. It looks great, but not as sharp as the PS dashboard. Sharp as is clarity, from fonts to edges. The guide pop out is insanely fast, and that is where spend all my time. I mean it's instant, no delays and I have everything memorized. Lot's of features in that flyout. Substantially faster now than the PS Pro to access those things so long as you access them from the guide. As for the actual dashboard, sure it's faster than it has been in the past, but I am not entirely sold on the layout. I don't know what I would do different. I don't have a use for the custom sections that we can add/remove from the front page. I guess I just wish I had one main page. My pins, community and Xbox Store. Then just remove the other tabs. I spend most of my time in games and in movies, so I don't need the mixer tab for example.
Game performance, well not sure what I can say here that Digital Foundry hasn't already said....and the rest of you guys. I have played:
Gears 4
COD WWII
Assassins Creed Origins
Cuphead
Forza Motorsport 7
since I got my Xbox One X and they are all looking awesome. Best looking things I have seen on console since I got pong back in the 70's. The performance is great as well. I have noticed that Forza Motorsport 7 doesn't load the tracks any faster, but I will assume that is because they are loading 4K assets now.
The console start up from hibernation or complete shutdown doesn't seem any faster. It's super quiet and I never hear the fan kick in either.
I have not used the 4K UHD player yet (I only have one UHD, John Wick 1) but I will check it out soon. I do know that the 4k movies and shows on Amazon prime look.....