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A MEDIA MONSTER

The Xbox One S is ‘a game machine at the top of the market’… but is it worth picking up?

It's pricey, but this is the console the Xbox One should have been

WHENEVER the next generation of an already released console is announced, one question always comes to mind: Is it worth buying if I already own its predecessor?

Microsoft put the Xbox One S on the market last week after its big reveal earlier this year at E3.

 It's often difficult to know whether you should part with your cash for an upgrade to an existing console - but in this case there are a lot of pros
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It's often difficult to know whether you should part with your cash for an upgrade to an existing console - but in this case there are a lot of prosCredit: EPA

But do you really need to fork-out another few hundred quid if you own the original, and does it have enough upgraded features to part with your cash?

Firstly, you should know there's a lot to like and others to dislike about this updated Xbox One.

A main plus is that you get a staggering 2TB of storage space, and if like me, you have a lot on your hard-drive already, this is a God send.

You get a new, swanky controller which has twice the reach of its predecessor, and supposedly will last longer from wear and tear.

 An amazing 2TB of storage means there's room for more in the most extensive games library, and the new controller design is a big improvement too
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An amazing 2TB of storage means there's room for more in the most extensive games library, and the new controller design is a big improvement tooCredit: Xbox

The new controller is one of the best things to come out of this console's release, and genuinely feels like an improvement.

The all-white S is more compact and slender than the first Xbox One, it doesn't have an external power brick, and has better accessibility to USB ports.

But the most important thing is do games, the thing that matter the most, actually look and feel better on theS?

Is the graphics quality so good that it's worth investing in?

The simple answer is yes, marginally.

Firstly, the console is capable of playing 4K Ultra-HD Blue-Rays, but only if you have a 4K TV.

Secondly, it supports HDR games, which means they will look clearer and cleaner to the eye, with colour more vivid.

The graphical upgrade is slight though, and most might feel this is not worth parting with their money for.

But all-in-all, this is a media monster.

You're getting a game machine at the top of the market.

You're also getting a 4K Blue-Ray player for the price of one on its own, which is arguably worth the purchase for that reason alone.

 With better graphics and a high-quality blu-ray player, this is the console the Xbox One should have been - and even if you already have the One you should consider upgrading
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With better graphics and a high-quality blu-ray player, this is the console the Xbox One should have been - and even if you already have the One you should consider upgradingCredit: Getty Images

This is the console the original Xbox One should have been in truth.

If you don't own an Xbox One, and are thinking of investing in one, this is a no-brainer.

And if you do already own one, then I'd think long and hard about an upgrade.

It could be worth your while.

COST: Ranges from £249.99 to £349.99

4/5

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