As we near the launch of both the next-gen consoles, potential customers are patiently waiting for more information about the PS5 and Xbox Series X which are set to come out in just a few months.
We are fast approaching the autumn season where many are going to be saving up for the Christmas holidays and other factors, but many are also going to be saving extra to afford the PlayStation 5 or the Xbox Series X/S.
READ MORE: Xbox Series X vs PS5
While $499 may seem a reasonable price for the Xbox Series X, this is still a huge amount of money to be spending at once, especially around Christmas. This is why it might be time to bring in monthly instalments to the PlayStation 5, and an expansion of the program being offered to owners of the Xbox One.
Xbox All Access for the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S
Hidden amongst all their leaks and details about the budget Xbox Series S, Windows Central reported that Xbox All Access will continue for those wanting to finance next-gen consoles.
Xbox All Access allows players to pay a monthly instalment for their new console, with the contract lasting 24 months. Players will also access 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which costs just over £10 by itself.
Following these leaks, Microsoft finally announced the pricing of the Xbox Series X/S, and alongside this, confirmed Xbox All Access would continue with the next-gen consoles.
The All Access financing option for the Xbox Series X will cost $34.99 (£28.99) per month, while the Series S financing will cost $24.99 (£20.99) per month.
This scheme will now run in 12 countries. Xbox All Access will now be available in selected retailers in the following countries: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.
In a Game Lab keynote, as reported on by GamesIndustry.biz, Xbox's Phil Spencer previously commented on All Access' place in the next generation.
"Xbox All Access is going to be critical to both our launch for Xbox Series X as well as just the overall generation," he said. "The response that we've seen where we've tested All Access has been great, but as you said, it's been limited in terms of the market. So you're going to see a much broader market and retailer support for All Access."
READ MORE: Xbox One trade-in for Xbox Series X
PS5 Monthly Contract
Currently, Sony has remained silent on anything relating to the PS5's cost, including a monthly contract option. Unlike Microsoft, there is no official monthly instalment plan called 'PlayStation All Access' from the console manufacturer in which players can utilise.
However, like many expensive products, retailers often will offer monthly fees for products themselves, with the US retailer Best Buy currently advertising a 18-month financing option for both the Xbox Series X and PS5, although it's unlikely this runs in the same way Xbox All Access does.
Why a monthly contract option is a great idea
For years now, a great majority of us have been paying a monthly fee for a smart-phone; where the contract gives you a certain amount of data alongside the phone you’ve been wanting, alongside its storage, great camera, and everything else.
But for the last few years, monthly payments have been appearing for other electrical goods, such as Amazon with their ‘monthly payments’. Some have used this to buy a keyboard for an iPad, or a monitor for their PC, but it’s never expanded to game consoles, unless you simply went the old-fashioned way and used a credit card.
But now, with COVID-19 changing the landscape of jobs across different industries, it could be much harder for people to buy a new console outright.
READ MORE: PS5 Digital Edition vs Xbox Series S
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