Microsoft is making big waves with the prices of its new consoles, the Xbox Series S and Series X, but you might not have realised that it offers an even more enticing way to get them without paying the full cost up-front.
With Xbox All Access, which includes Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can get your new console for a monthly fee. It basically helps people finance Xbox hardware. It reminds us of how you’d buy a smartphone – no upfront cost and one monthly price over two years. Pocket-lint has combed through all the details to help you figure out exactly how Xbox All Access works.
What is Xbox All Access?
Through Microsoft Stores and a variety of retail partners, Microsoft offers its own subscription service called Xbox All Access. It includes an Xbox console, over 100 games with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, including bundled access to online multiplayer.
There is no upfront cost, and you pay one monthly price for two years.
How much is Xbox All Access?
- $22.99 or £18 (Xbox One S 1TB console, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
- $24.99 or £21 (Xbox Series S console, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
- $34.99 or £29 (Xbox Series X console, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate)
For $23 per month, you can get an Xbox One S (usually $229), in addition to Game Pass Ultimate (usually $15 per month). That means the deal is actually cheaper than buying the console then paying for the membership separately.
The real deals are to be found on the next-generation consoles. For $35 per month, you can get an Xbox Series X, in addition to Game Pass Ultimate. Or, for $25 a month, you can do the same for a slimmer Series S.
Again, there is no upfront cost, and the subscription period ends after 24 months. And there is 0 per cent APR for those two years.
Do you get to keep the hardware?
Yes, after the 24-month subscription period ends, Xbox All Access subscribers get to keep their Xbox hardware.
How to sign up for Xbox All access
To sign up for Xbox All Access, you can visit a Microsoft Store, or far more conveniently, use the online page linked here. You can click through to a participating retailer to apple for the scheme. Microsoft said only “qualified customers” can take part, which means potential Xbox All Access subscribers will first need to pass a credit check. You’ll immediately find out if you qualify.
Financing isn’t handled by Microsoft. For example, it goes through Citizens One in the US and Klarna in the UK.
Where is Xbox All Access available?
Xbox All Access is available in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
Want to know more?
Check out Microsoft’s FAQ page for more technical details.