Xbox One S All-Digital Edition: prices, specs, pre-orders and UK release date

Microsoft has taken the wraps off a disc-less version of its entry-level Xbox One S console, following months of rumours and reports.

The system, called the All-Digital Edition, does away with the standard model’s Blu-ray disc drive, meaning gamers have to purchase digital titles from the Xbox Store or download them through the Xbox Game Pass subscription service.

During the company’s Inside Xbox stream yesterday evening, Jeff Gattis, the head of marketing for Microsoft’s games division, said the console was aimed at teenagers who have grown up with digital platforms such as the PC gaming marketplace Steam and smartphones, The Guardian reports.

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“We’re not looking to push customers toward digital. It’s about meeting the needs of customers that are digital natives that prefer digital-based media”, he said.

Rumours of a disc-less Xbox began circulating towards the end of last year and Microsoft has “kept the intrigue alive” by building on its digital ecosystem in recent months, says Engadget.

For instance, the firm is radically upping the amount of titles available through Xbox Game Pass and the company’s Project xCloud streaming service is due to enter beta testing later this year, the tech site adds.

Fans don’t have long to wait to get their hands on the new system, as it’s on course to hit the shops next month.

In the meantime, here’s everything you need to know about the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition:

Price and UK release date

The digital-only console launches on 7 May, with prices starting at £199.

While that figure is marginally more expensive than the standard Xbox One S, which sells for a little over £190 on Amazon, the All-Digital Edition console comes with three free bundled games. These are Minecraft, Forza Horizon 3 and Sea of Thieves.

Pre-orders

Pre-orders are open now on Amazon. Those who pre-order now will get their console in time for the system’s release next month.

Specs

Aside from the absence of a physical disc drive, the All-Digital Edition is identical to the entry-level Xbox One S console.

Therefore, buyers can expect modern games to run with high-dynamic range (HDR) features active, which bolsters contrast ratios for more realistic lighting effects, as well as the ability to stream 4K video, according to Pocket-Lint.

It also comes with a 1TB hard drive to store games and apps, the tech site says, as well as a standard wireless controller.

How does it play games?

Titles can be purchased through the Xbox Store for a fixed price, or downloaded for a monthly fee via the Xbox Game Pass. The subscription service costs £7.99 per month and features nearly 200 Xbox One and Xbox 360 games.

Microsoft also announced a new subscription model, called Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which includes an Xbox Live Gold membership for $15 (£12), GamesRadar reports. Xbox Live Gold alone costs £49 a year and is required to access a game’s online multiplayer features.