Is the Xbox One S All Digital Worth It? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is: it depends on your gaming habits and preferences. The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition offered a more affordable entry point into the Xbox ecosystem, but its lack of a disc drive made it a somewhat niche product. If you’re a gamer who has fully embraced digital downloads and doesn’t require physical media, it might have been a worthwhile option. However, for those who value physical game ownership or have a collection of disc-based titles, this was definitely not the console for you. Now that Microsoft has discontinued the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition as they focus on the newer Xbox Series consoles, its worth is primarily as a second-hand option. Let’s delve deeper into the factors to consider.
Understanding the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition
The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition was essentially an Xbox One S without the optical disc drive. This meant it could only play digital games downloaded from the Microsoft Store. The core hardware and performance were identical to the standard Xbox One S, offering the same graphical capabilities and overall user experience. The main differences lay in its limitations – the inability to play Blu-rays, DVDs, and disc-based games.
The intention behind this model was clear: to cater to the growing trend of digital game purchases and to reduce the price point for more price-sensitive gamers. However, it introduced certain trade-offs that made it unsuitable for many users, especially those who enjoy collecting physical media or rely on physical discs.
Key Pros of the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition
- Lower Initial Price: The primary advantage was the lower purchase price compared to the standard Xbox One S. This made it an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers looking to enter the Xbox ecosystem.
- Digital Convenience: For those who are solely interested in downloading games, the All-Digital Edition offered a sleek and uncluttered gaming experience. No need to swap discs – just download and play!
- Similar Performance to Xbox One S: It delivered the same performance and graphical power as the standard Xbox One S, making it suitable for playing Xbox One titles.
- Included Games: Bundles often came with pre-installed digital games such as Sea of Thieves, Fortnite Battle Royale, and Minecraft, offering immediate value.
Key Cons of the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition
- No Disc Drive: The most significant drawback was the absence of a disc drive. You couldn’t play physical games, movies, or music. If you had a collection of disc-based games, those were unusable.
- Higher Digital Prices: Digital games often have less price flexibility than physical copies. You can’t buy used games digitally. If you are on a strict budget, finding deals may be more difficult with digital.
- Internet Dependency: This version required a strong and consistent internet connection to download games, which could be problematic for those with slower or metered internet plans.
- Reduced Functionality: The inability to play DVDs and Blu-rays made this console a poor choice as a media center for many.
- Discontinued: Microsoft no longer manufactures the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, meaning its availability is limited to the second-hand market.
Who Was the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition For?
The All-Digital Edition was aimed at gamers who were:
- Comfortable with digital-only gaming.
- Had a fast and reliable internet connection.
- Didn’t own physical game libraries or plan to.
- On a tight budget and looking for a more affordable Xbox entry point.
- Did not need a Blu-ray/DVD player.
It was definitely not for those who were:
- Collectors of physical media.
- Preferred buying used games to save money.
- Had slower or limited internet plans.
- Wanted an all-in-one entertainment system that could handle disc-based media.
The Rise of Digital Gaming
The popularity of services like Xbox Game Pass, which provides access to a large library of games for a monthly fee, has pushed the trend towards digital game purchases. This makes the concept of a console without a disc drive more relevant than ever. However, the lack of used games or rental options still make the digital-only space a barrier to entry for some.
Is It Still Worth Buying in Today’s Market?
Considering that the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition is no longer being produced, its value now depends on how much you can find it for on the second-hand market. Given the emergence of the Xbox Series S, which is a more powerful console, but also lacks a disc drive, the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition becomes a more niche product than ever before.
If you’re looking for a very affordable, entry-level Xbox and don’t mind a console from the previous generation, and you only play digital games, then a used Xbox One S All-Digital Edition might be a good option. However, if you can afford a little more, the Xbox Series S offers a major upgrade in performance and is the better long-term option.
FAQs: All About the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition
1. What is the primary difference between the Xbox One S and the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition?
The primary difference is the absence of a disc drive in the All-Digital Edition. This means it can only play digital games and not any physical media.
2. Can the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition play Blu-ray or DVD movies?
No, the All-Digital Edition cannot play Blu-ray or DVD movies because it doesn’t have a disc drive.
3. What games come bundled with the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition?
Bundles typically included digital copies of Sea of Thieves, Fortnite Battle Royale, and Minecraft. However, specific bundles may vary.
4. Do I need a strong internet connection to use the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition?
Yes, a strong and reliable internet connection is essential for downloading games, updates, and using online services.
5. Is the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition more affordable than the standard Xbox One S?
Yes, at launch, it was typically priced lower than the standard Xbox One S, reflecting the removal of the disc drive. However, prices vary in the second hand market.
6. Can I still buy an Xbox One S All-Digital Edition new?
No, Microsoft has discontinued the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition. You can only find it in the second-hand market.
7. How much storage does the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition have?
The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition typically comes with a 1TB hard drive.
8. Can I use external hard drives with the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition?
Yes, you can use an external hard drive to expand storage for more games and apps.
9. Does the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition support 4K gaming?
The Xbox One S can upscale games to 4K but does not natively output 4K resolutions for games. You need an Xbox One X or Xbox Series X|S for native 4K gaming. The system also supports 4K video streaming on apps like Netflix and YouTube
10. Can I upgrade an Xbox One S All-Digital Edition to have a disc drive?
No, the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition is designed without a disc drive. It cannot be added later.
11. Is the Xbox Series S a better option than the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition?
Yes, the Xbox Series S is significantly more powerful and offers access to new-generation games. It’s generally considered a better long-term investment.
12. Can I trade or sell digital games from the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition?
No, digital games purchased on the Microsoft Store cannot be resold or traded.
13. Are digital games more expensive than physical games on the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition?
Digital prices often do not fluctuate as much as physical games, so you may find that physical copies are cheaper, especially on the used market. You may find deals on digital content in the store.
14. How many games can the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition hold?
The 1TB hard drive can hold between 20-30 averagely sized games depending on the file size of the games.
15. What are the advantages of choosing a digital console over one with a disc drive?
The convenience of not having to deal with discs, the ability to have a large library at your fingertips, and the ease of switching between games are key advantages. However, you are limited by the digital game prices and availability.