When asked on Twitter if developers can instead go for 1080p with 60 frames per second and "massively upgraded visuals," Spencer replied, "We'll talk more about this later, but we never said we'd mandate 4K frame buffer, we won't."
http://www.gamespot.com/articles/xbox-one-scorpio-wont-make-4k-mandatory-devs-could/1100-6441045/

And thennnnnn.....

“Scorpio is designed as a 4K console, and if you don’t have a 4K TV, the benefit we’ve designed for, you’re not going to see. Clearly, you can buy Scorpio, and if and when you decide you want to buy a 4K television to take advantage of the increased performance, obviously the console will be ready for you.”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2016/06/16/microsoft-dont-buy-xbox-scorpio-if-you-dont-have-a-4k-tv/#f8e1c3f33057


The first quote was made after the latter quote... Is this not a clear contradiction?

I think it's normal that the console would run 1080p games better . If not at higher settings, it might more easily or even constantly hit the framerate target set by the developers.

I don't see any contradiction. Just because you design something with a specification in mind, it doesn't mean it is mandatory to have everything satisfy that purpose. Think back of the original Nintendo DS. Not all games used the touch screen as mandatory, even if most games beneffited from it.

One quote says you need a 4K tv to see any benefit and the other quote implies strongly that 1080P with a higher frame rate and improved effects is very possible. Quite different.

Right on!

Dang!! Soooo much people Hype with Scorpion! Lets wait for a closer description. 

But those games that do buffer at 4K won't have any effect on consumers without a 4K TV. There isn't a contradiction anywhere here.

Not a contradiction but it is kind of misleading. The second quote really makes it sound like 4K is going to be the standard for Scorpio.

There will be if we start seeing upgraded games running at 1080P with higher frame rates/effects compared to standard though yes?

Someone gets it.

Eh, no, because then again, those games that buffer at 4K won't be visible in non-4K TVs.