Microsoft's financing option for an Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S console looks good on the surface, but is it really worth it?
Xbox All Access bundles in a console and twenty-four months of Xbox Game Pass (which now includes EA Play) for as low as £20.99/$24.99 per month.
There's no upfront cost, either, but are you saving anything?
Let's crunch the numbers on a deal that seems too good to be true.
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Xbox All Access - Is It Worth It?
The first thing you should be aware of before buying anything on credit is that it is a commitment to pay that amount for two years.
Missing payments can get you in hot water, and your credit rating can take a hit. Make sure you're 100% certain you can keep paying before buying anything on credit!
Keep in mind that credit in the UK is provided by Klarna, meaning you'll be subject to a usual credit check to ascertain your reliability, so if you've been rejected in the past, you may be ineligible for All Access.
With that said, let's look at the numbers:
Xbox Series X
UK Pricing
The console is £449, and 24 months of Game Pass Ultimate comes to £263.76 for a total of £712.76.
If you wanted to buy through Xbox All Access, the £28.99 per month for 24 months actually works out cheaper - £695.76.
So you're saving money, subject to a credit check, of course.
US Pricing
In the US, it's much the same, with the total coming in at $858.76, but the total through All Access is $839.76.
Europe
Unfortunately, Europeans have a little more to pay overall.
The total is actually 29 Euros more than buying the console outright.
Xbox Series S
UK Pricing
The total console and Game Pass cost for the Series S comes in at £512.76.
If you wanted to buy through Xbox All Access, the £20.99 per month for 24 months actually works out cheaper, although not by a lot - with a £9 saving bringing it down to £503.76.
US Pricing
In the US, the saving is much higher. The overall cost is $658.76, but you can get the console on All Access for $599.76.
That means that you'll save $59 in the long run - that's basically the cost of a game.
Europe
Luckily, Europeans do get a chance to save some money on the Series S.
Buying through All Access shaves off 11 Euros from the total price.
Upgrade To Series S or Series X
If you're already using All Access to finance your Xbox One S or Xbox One X, you can upgrade the a Series S or X, too.
You'll still be subject to a credit check, but you can check your eligibility here.
Then you trade in your old box via post, and a new one will arrive!
Which Retailers Offer All-Access?
In the UK, the program is available at both GAME and Smyth's Toys, with the possibility for more in the future.
You can check the full list of retailers and territories here.