Xbox One S

Microsoft has returned to bat with a smaller and considerably whiter console. The question is, though, is it an upgrade worthy of your cash? T3 finds out...

Our first reaction when removing the Xbox One S from its box was, “Well, that’s much more desirable as an object.” The console’s smaller overall footprint, cleaner lines, and fresh and light colour scheme, give it a modern aesthetic and, interestingly, much more of a presence when viewed in person compared to the original Xbox One.

Another thing that immediately stands out is the new, dimpled patternation that covers large swathes of the console. Yes, the ugly, black industrial grating of the original Xbox One is no more, with the front, sides and half the top of the system now covered with little indents. This styling continues at the rear of the system, where a strip of air holes acts as a cooling grille.

Microsoft has always been good at the setting-up process, and it’s business as usual as soon as you press the controller’s Xbox button.

A series of slick menus clearly guide you through set-up, with things like hooking the system up to your home network a seamless experience.