Yahoo News Xbox series X stock - live: AO restock sells out – here’s who could drop next
Update: Argos has restocked the Xbox series X for collection in specific stores. Enter your postcode to check your nearest branch.
Almost a full year since launching, the Xbox series X remains sold out across the board. As is the case with so many other high-end electronics, the snarled up global supply chain has effectively halted production of Microsoft’s next-generation console, leaving shoppers in the UK wondering where to buy the new Xbox.
When it does appear in stock, online shoppers are quick to react and the Xbox series X sells out within minutes. Knowing when and where the Xbox will restock next is key to grabbing one in time.
That’s why we’ve launched our Xbox stock alerts liveblog. If you’re wondering where to buy an Xbox series X in the UK today, we’re here to help. Below, we’ll update you with the latest restock updates as soon as they happen, as well as any news on predicted restock dates, new games and accessories and milestone events.
Read more:
Check stock from UK Xbox series X retailers below:
Key Points
When did Currys last restock the Xbox series X?
Is Xbox All Access worth it?
Could AO restock the Xbox series X today?
'Cyberpunk 2077’ on Xbox series X delayed until 2022
Xbox stock trackers, signing off
16:49 , Steve Hogarty
Well that’s all from us for another week, thank you for reading the Xbox series X stock tracking liveblog. You’re a star.
Let’s recap. Though it remains notoriously difficult to grab a console, this week we’ve seen the Xbox restocked at four retailers: Argos, Very, AO and Game.
That’s two more restocks than we had last week, which bodes well for our chances of seeing more drops as we enter the busy shopping season.
We’re expecting a drop at Currys very soon, so be sure to join us next week to be the first to know when the Xbox rears its gorgeous little head again.
Have a great weekend!
Check out these deals on gaming laptops
16:19 , Steve Hogarty
Thinking about buying a new gaming laptop? Black Friday is just around the corner, and in in the absence of any discounted Xboxes this year, we’re expecting some generous discounts on some top-rated laptops.
We’ve already kicked off our guide on how to find the best Black Friday laptop deals this year and what laptops we expect to find on sale.
These are the best laptop deals to expect this Black Friday
What’s the difference between the Xbox series X and series S?
15:22 , Steve Hogarty
Two new Xboxes launched in November 2020: the less powerful Xbox series S and the more advanced Xbox series X.
Both are a huge step forward from the old Xbox One X, and both run all next-generation Xbox games (as well as older Xbox games through backwards compatibility), but the cheaper Xbox series S has no disc drive, less processing power and half the storage space.
This means graphics won’t look as detailed and performance may be a little slower, and you’ll have to use an external hard drive if you plan on installing multiple games. But you still enjoy a serious upgrade over previous consoles no matter which you choose.
The Xbox series S has another big advantage in that it’s much easier to find in stock than the Xbox series X. It’s also almost half the price (£249, Amazon.co.uk) compared to the more expensive Xbox series X at £449.
Buy now £249, Amazon.co.uk
Does Tesco sell the Xbox series X?
14:23 , Steve Hogarty
The country’s largest retailer – and infamously where one pound in every ten is spent in UK shops – Tesco should surely command an entire container ship’s worth of Xbox series X consoles to supply its thousands of nationwide stores.
But this isn’t how the world works. The retail goliath hasn’t sold a single console for as long as we’ve been running this here liveblog, having apparently refocused its efforts on selling products that are easier to keep in stock, such as Fifa 22 (£60, Tesco.co.uk), Far Cry 6 (£54, Tesco.co.uk) and broccoli (49p, Tesco.com).
If we had to speculate, we’d guess that Tesco’s size works against it. The expense of negotiating with suppliers for an allocation of games consoles that wouldn’t cover even a fraction of Tesco’s stores might not be worth the hassle, not when there’s so much delicious broccoli flying around.
The best Xbox series X games to play right now
13:28 , Steve Hogarty
Managed to grab an Xbox this week? Why not take a look at some of the best Xbox series X games you could be playing right now.
Many of the best games to play on the Xbox series X right now are upgraded and remastered versions of Xbox One games. But already there are some unmissable next-gen exclusives to be enjoyed, such as the spectacular looking Microsoft Flight Simulator. We’ve included some of the console’s most highly anticipated upcoming games too.
Managed to find the Xbox series X in stock? Here are the games you need to play
Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter for more deals
12:31 , Steve Hogarty
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AO has sold out of the Xbox series X
11:43 , Steve Hogarty
It hasn’t been possible to add the Xbox series X to your basket on the AO site for the past five minutes, and in the last few seconds the Xbox product page has been taken down completely.
It’s probably safe to say that the console is now sold out.
Keep a close eye on the retailer, as more stock could pop up again today.
The Xbox series X is in stock at AO
11:27 , Steve Hogarty
Buy now £549, AO.com
AO has restocked the Xbox series X with three months of Game Pass Ultimate for £549.
Note that Game Pass Ultimate costs £10.99 per month, which means AO is charging £67 more than RRP here.
Could Amazon restock today?
11:04 , Steve Hogarty
With the exception of a smattering of Argos stores around the country, the Xbox series X is sold out everywhere online right now. So let’s take a look at where else could restock today.
You might think Amazon would be up to its eyeballs in consoles, but the retail giant has barely had two Xboxes to rub together all summer. Amazon last restocked Microsoft’s newest console four weeks ago, when it sold out faster than you could say “can I have an Xbox please mister Jeff Bezos”.
Amazon is a top target for automated bots and other supernaturally quick buyers, which is why it’s made the PlayStation 5 exclusively available to its Prime customers. The retailer hasn’t yet extended this courtesy to the Xbox series X, but if it does you can sign up for a 30 day trial of Amazon Prime to access the deal.
As for predicted restock dates? Amazon should have restocked two weeks ago based on previous patterns, so the retailer is frighteningly overdue another allocation.
Here’s where you can buy a PS5 today
10:40 , Steve Hogarty
If you’re on the hunt for a PlayStation 5, or perhaps you just want to experience the raw thrill of actually seeing a next-generation console in stock, then have a peek at our PlayStation 5 stock tracking liveblog.
Unlike the Xbox series X, the PS5 has been easier to buy in recent weeks. Retailers like Game announce the arrival of stock in advance, while Amazon fends off scalpers by offering the console exclusively to Prime members.
LIVE: The PS5 is now in stock at Game
When will John Lewis & Partners restock the Xbox?
10:19 , Steve Hogarty
John Lewis & Partners last restocked the Xbox series X on 5 October, the latest in a long line of sporadic and unpredictable drops from the historic department store.
While it’s nearly impossible to guess the date of a restock at John Lewis, we can at least predict the time of day it will happen. The retailer restocks at 7am sharp, meaning it’s unlikely we’ll see any Xbox consoles sold there today.
Stranger things have happened though, so we’ll be checking in on them all the same.
Is the Xbox series X in stock at Currys?
09:51 , Steve Hogarty
Right now, Currys is our best candidate for the next Xbox drop. This is based on careful analysis of previous restocking patterns, and whispers on the wind.
The retailer last restocked the Xbox series X on 7 October, when the console sold out on the Currys app before it even appeared on the site. Get that app installed to have a headstart on the next drop.
Who will restock the Xbox series X today?
09:32 , Steve Hogarty
Fridays are usually quieter for Xbox restocks, but a handful of retailers aren’t afraid to buck convention and drop the console at the tail end of the week.
AO has restocked on many a Friday, and typically sells the console as part of a bundle with an additional controller, gaming headset and charging dock, pushing the price up to above £600. This deters scalpers, but also puts off any legitimate shoppers who can’t afford to drop an extra £150 on accessories they might not want.
Game and Smyths Toys have also restocked the Xbox All Access programme on a Friday, so we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for a drop there too.
The Xbox series X is in stock at certain Argos stores
09:07 , Steve Hogarty
Argos restocked the Xbox series X on Wednesday, though the console was only available to click and collect from a handful of local stores dotted around the country. It wasn’t, and still isn’t possible to order the console for delivery.
Whether your nearest branch has any stock is seemingly down to chance, so rub a lucky coin and then enter your postcode over at Argos. We’re not seeing stock near IndyBest towers in London, but shoppers are reporting some availability today around Glasgow, Surrey and Manchester.
Game lists Xbox series X + 'Far Cry 6’ bundles
08:42 , Steve Hogarty
Keep an eye on Game this morning.
Overnight, the retailer listed a fresh batch of Xbox series X + Far Cry 6 bundles for sale. The bundles claim to be in stock, though we’re unable to add them to our basket just yet. Here they are all the same:
Xbox series X + Far Cry 6 – £489.15
Xbox series X + Far Cry 6 Yara edition – £492.15
Xbox series X + Far Cry 6 + Game Pass – £522.14
Xbox series X + Far Cry 6 Yara edition + Game Pass – £525.14
Often, Game will list new Xbox series X bundles in advance of making them available to purchase, so we’ll keep prodding at the “buy now” button to test for new stock.
Xbox stock trackers, activate
08:10 , Steve Hogarty
Good morning, Xbox hunters!
Welcome back to Friday’s Xbox series X stock tracking liveblog, where we’ll be monitoring every UK retailer for the first signs of Microsoft’s perennially sold out console.
Game’s supply of Xbox All Access ran dry overnight, which puts us right back at square one. The Xbox series X is out of stock, but could pop up again at any moment and without warning.
Stick with us to be the first to know when it happens.
Xbox stock trackers, signing off
Thursday 21 October 2021 16:59 , Steve Hogarty
Well that’s all from us for today, thank you for joining us on the Xbox stock alerts liveblog.
Let’s recap today’s highlights. Game reopened the Xbox All Access floodgates for the second time in two days. As of 17:00 BST the retailer is still selling the Xbox series X through the all-inclusive, pay-monthly scheme, though we don’t know how long the drop will last. It may be sold out by the time you read this.
If you’re on the fence about it, we think that Xbox All Access is a good deal. It’s a zero percent interest finance option that gets you the Xbox series X console, plus Netflix-style access to over a hundred games on demand for two years.
Argos also put on a good show today. This morning the retailer restocked the Xbox series X in stores around the country, though the console was only available only to click and collect. It couldn’t be delivered, meaning it was entirely down to luck whether an Xbox had appeared in an Argos near you.
Didn’t manage to find your Xbox today? Don’t worry, we’ll be back again tomorrow morning to bring you more Xbox stock updates as they happen.
Bye bye!
The best VPN for the Xbox series X
Thursday 21 October 2021 16:22 , Steve Hogarty
If you stream movies on your Xbox, a virtual private network allows you to disguise your location and access content and shows not normally available in your country. A VPN can also bypass any firewalls imposed by whoever runs your network.
You can’t install a VPN directly to an Xbox series X, but you can install one on a laptop and route your console’s internet connection through that. You can also install some VPNs on routers to cover all of your devices in your home in one go.
A laggy VPN will hinder your online gaming, so to keep your Xbox series X running at peak performance you’ll want to make sure the VPN you choose is fast and responsive enough to avoid lag and dropouts when playing online. Check out our round-up of the best VPNs for torrenting, streaming and gaming.
The best VPN for every type of device
'Cyberpunk 2077’ on Xbox series X delayed until 2022
Thursday 21 October 2021 15:25 , Steve Hogarty
If you were planning on picking up an Xbox series X to play the next-gen version of Cyberpunk 2077, then we’ve got great news for you. You have at least another four months to find the console in stock.
IMPORTANT PRODUCTION UPDATE pic.twitter.com/KOnaIVOt4v
— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) October 20, 2021
The upgraded and fully patched-up relaunch of the maligned dystopian RPG had been scheduled to release this year, but CD Projekt Red confirms that next-gen Cyberpunk 2077 has now been postponed until the first quarter of 2022.
The original game (£26.99, Amazon.co.uk) was delayed for years before launching. Despite the additional development time the game arrived as a buggy and broken mess, to the extent that some stores removed it from sale.
It’s in a much better state now, and owners of the Xbox One version will enjoy a free upgrade to the Xbox series X version when it arrives.
Check out our review of the Nintendo Switch OLED
Thursday 21 October 2021 14:26 , Steve Hogarty
The newly redesigned Nintendo Switch OLED launched earlier this month and features an improved screen that’s bright, vivid and swimming in colour. So long as you weren’t waiting for a 4K upgrade, it’s the premium Switch model we’ve all been waiting for.
If you’re about ready to hang up your Xbox hunting hat and admit defeat, there’s no better consolation prize. Amazon has stock available for delivery by 25 October.
Buy now £309.99, Amazon.co.uk
We’ve been playing around with the new handheld all week to see if it’s worth the upgrade. Go ahead and read our full review if you’re interested.
Nintendo Switch OLED review: The best version of the console yet
Xbox series X is in stock at Game
Thursday 21 October 2021 13:29 , Steve Hogarty
Game is selling the Xbox series X through the Xbox All Access programme.
Check out some Black Friday 2021 tech deals
Thursday 21 October 2021 13:27 , Steve Hogarty
The Xbox series X isn’t the only thing in short supply. Everything from laptops to smartphones has been affected by production delays, with shortages of many high-end consumer electronics predicted to stretch into next year.
To give you the best chance of finding the tech you’re after, we launched our Black Friday tech deals guide. You’ll find great deals on tech and gaming accessories from Amazon, John Lewis & Partners, Currys, and Argos.
We’ll be adding new deals as they appear in the run up to the big shopping event, so check back for updates as Black Friday approaches.
Black Friday tech deals: What offers to expect this year
Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter
Thursday 21 October 2021 12:47 , Steve Hogarty
Want even more new gadget reviews and product round-ups? Look no further than IndyBest’s weekly newsletter, where we highlight the must-have items of the week.
Every Friday, we’ll send you a digest of everything new in the world of shopping – whether it’s console news or lifestyle and fitness products, we’ve got it all, including the latest deals. Interested? Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of The Independent’s other newsletters now.
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Game in Merry Hill has the Xbox series X in stock
Thursday 21 October 2021 12:28 , Steve Hogarty
Report just in from a specific branch of Game in Merry Hill, Birmingham Dudley (apologies to our Dudlian readers).
⭐️BACK IN STOCK⭐️ #XboxSeriesX
-Strictly Limited 1 Per Customer
-Bundles available
-Trade Ins Welcome (Allow for extra time for testing) pic.twitter.com/ay5lA6YNzX— GAME Merry HELL 👻 😈 🎃 (@GAMEMerryHill) October 21, 2021
Stock of the Xbox series X is available in store now.
The Xbox series X is currently unavailable on the Game website.
The ‘Halo Infinite’ themed Xbox is sold out everywhere
Thursday 21 October 2021 11:31 , Steve Hogarty
Back in August – and with a straight face – Microsoft announced a limited edition version of the Xbox series X, as if the regular Xbox series X isn’t already in limited supply.
The Xbox series X Halo Infinite limited edition bundle launches 15 November and celebrates 20 years of the game series and boasts “a custom design imprinted with stars as seen from the surface of Zeta Halo – extending onto the fan behind a blue vent inspired by Cortana.” It looks very pretty.
Game and the Microsoft Store were the only two places you could pre-order this super-rare Xbox (£479.99, Microsoft Store). It sold out in around 20 minutes flat, though we’re hoping to see more pre-orders open up nearer to launch.
When did Currys last restock the Xbox series X?
Thursday 21 October 2021 11:01 , Steve Hogarty
Currys has fallen right off the Xbox radar.
It’s now been six weeks since the retailer last had any stock the Xbox series X, by far the longest its ever gone with restocking Microsoft’s latest console. It’s been so long in fact, that the last time it sold an Xbox the retailer was still called Currys PC World.
Currys is selling the more petite and less powerful Xbox series S for £249, which is looking like an increasingly enticing proposition.
The Xbox series S plays all of the same next-generation games, albeit at a lower resolution and with some of the fancier graphics options dialled down. But with the advent of cloud gaming we’re starting to wonder if owning the most powerful version of the console will even matter in a few years’ time.
Xbox series S (£249, Currys.co.uk)
Is Xbox All Access worth it?
Thursday 21 October 2021 10:39 , Steve Hogarty
Smyths, Game and 4Gadgets often sell the Xbox through the Xbox All Access programme. What is that exactly?
Xbox All Access is a interest-free finance option where, for 24 monthly payments of £28.99, you get an Xbox series X (worth £449) plus two years of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (worth £263).
That’s £712 worth of stuff for £694 spread over two years.
As long as the Xbox series X or Game Pass Ultimate doesn’t fall in price during the term (which is unlikely) you’ll make a small saving. Game Pass Ultimate works like a Netflix subscription, unlocking access to a changing library of more than 100 games on demand. If anything we predict Microsoft will increase the cost of a subscription eventually.
You need to pass a credit check with Klarna to make sure you’re in a comfortable enough position to keep making the monthly payments.
When will Smyths Toys restock the Xbox?
Thursday 21 October 2021 10:19 , Steve Hogarty
It’s sold out right now, but Smyths Toys is one of three retailers to sell Microsoft’s console through the Xbox All Access programme, the pay-monthly alternative to paying £449 for the Xbox series X up front.
The retailer last stocked the scheme on 15 October, and last had any stock of the paid-in-full Xbox series X on 9 September.
Smyths Toys likes to blindside analysts with random restocks, but based on what we know about the retailer, we’re roughly predicting another drop some time in early November.
Here’s how to find a PS5 in stock
Thursday 21 October 2021 09:59 , Steve Hogarty
Want to bag a PlayStation 5 today? Well you’re in luck, because Game is on the cusp of dropping more consoles this morning.
— GAME.co.uk (@GAMEdigital) October 21, 2021
The retailer gives advance warning when it’s about to restock the PlayStation, but offers no such courtesy to us lowly Xbox fans.
Our PS5 stock tracking liveblog has all the details you need, as well as tips for how to grab the console when it appears in stock.
PS5 stock UK - live: Today’s restock updates from Game, Argos, Very and more
Could AO restock the Xbox series X today?
Thursday 21 October 2021 09:41 , Steve Hogarty
AO is due an Xbox restock soon. The retailer is right at the top of our chart table of stores most likely to drop the Xbox next, according to our meticulously crafted – and possibly sentient – stock tracking algorithm.
The store last had the Xbox series X available on 13 October, when it was sold as part of a bundle including a gaming headset, a controller and a dual charging dock.
We predict the next Xbox restock at AO will happen next week.
The Xbox series X seems to have sold out at Argos
Thursday 21 October 2021 09:17 , Steve Hogarty
The Xbox series X is no longer listed as in stock at Argos, though some straggling consoles could still be floating around in odd stores around the country. And more could appear later today.
We’re hearing reports from shoppers who successfully ordered the console for click and collect this morning, and have now received a collection code for a pick up on Sunday. Other shoppers have had their orders cancelled immediately. Try calling your nearest Argos store to ask about ordering the Xbox series X for click and collect.
Information on the Argos site and the Argos app seems to conflict with information being given in store, confounding our efforts to bring you accurate stock alerts.
We’ll keep plugging away.
The Xbox series X is in stock at certain Argos stores
Thursday 21 October 2021 08:52 , Steve Hogarty
Check your local Argos for a click and collect option.
The console was restocked this morning, at apparently random spots all over the country, including Glasgow and Manchester. We’re not seeing stock near IndyBest towers in London, but you might have better luck near you.
The Argos site is down
Thursday 21 October 2021 08:45 , Steve Hogarty
Argos took its site down for maintenance late last night, but hasn’t managed to get it going again this morning. We feel you, Argos.
Our website will be down from midnight, sorry for any inconvenience. We’re making some updates and we'll be back up and running again at 6am. See you then!
— Argos (@Argos_Online) October 4, 2021
Does this mean Argos is busily stocking the virtual shelves with Xboxes?
Oh you optimistic little bug. Sadly, the app still works and the Xbox series X is as sold out as ever. It’s unlikely we’ll have an abundance of consoles available when the store comes back online, but there is a chance we’ll see a restock at Argos before the end of the month.
The retailer tends to receive a fresh allocation roughly every two weeks.
What’s the Xbox stock situation today?
Thursday 21 October 2021 08:32 , Steve Hogarty
If you’re unfortunate enough to be a long-time reader of the liveblog, you’ll know the drill this morning. But for those just joining us, let’s get up to speed.
The Xbox series X is currently sold out across the board.
Restocks happen three or four times a week. More often than not, the console is sold through the Xbox All Access programme, the pay-monthly scheme that’s a little bit like a phone contract.
Like Beyoncé tickets, the Xbox series X is often resold online at vastly inflated prices by unscrupulous dealers looking to turn a quick profit. The practice hurts legitimate customers looking to buy the console at a fair price, so we don’t cover the availability of stock on auction sites and second hand stores.
The console can appears anywhere and without warning, so stick with us today to be the first to know when the Xbox series X appears online.
Xbox stock trackers, activate
Thursday 21 October 2021 08:17 , Steve Hogarty
Good morning Xbox hunters!
Welcome back to Thursday’s Xbox series X tracking liveblog, where we’ll be bringing you live stock alerts as they happen to give you a fighting chance of finding Microsoft’s newest Xbox online.
We’re continuously scanning every UK retailer for fresh drops of the elusive console, so you can just kick back and look at some fun dogs on TikTok while we take care of the searching.
Ready? As our old friend The Master Chief might say, “let’s a-go!”
Live blog signing off
Wednesday 20 October 2021 17:00 , Alistair Charlton
Well, that was a pleasant surprise! After a very quiet day that saw only a sparse restock from Argos, Game came to the rescue with a new Xbox series X restock, via the All Access subscription programme.
We hope readers have been able to sign up to the £28 monthly plan, and start to receive their consoles before the end of this week.
As for us, we’re signing off for the evening and will be back again tomorrow morning.
Xbox series X is available via All Access at Game
Wednesday 20 October 2021 16:09 , Alistair Charlton
It’s late in the day, but Game has just had a restock of Xbox series X consoles! These are available through Microsoft’s Xbox All Access programme, where the console is paid for monthly instead of outright.
For the Xbox series X this means 24 monthly payments of £28.99. For that you get the console, plus access to Game Pass Ultimate, where you can play 100 games without actually buying each individual title. All Access includes EA Play, too.
The console is available through All Access at Game right now, and is even offered with next-day delivery.
Argos sells out (or does it?)
Wednesday 20 October 2021 16:03 , Alistair Charlton
Bit of a strange one with Argos today. The retailer had an Xbox series X restock, of sorts. We saw some successful shoppers on Twitter and now, hours later, the console can still be added to a trolley on the Argos website. But we can’t find any UK postcodes where the console is actually available for delivery or collection.
It looks like the console has indeed sold out again, but the Argos website is mistakenly letting shoppers add the Xbox series X to their trolley, before saying it can’t be found anywhere.
You can play Xbox games on your laptop
Wednesday 20 October 2021 16:01 , Alistair Charlton
You don’t actually need an Xbox series X to play Xbox series X games, just a fast enough internet connection and a compatible streaming device.
Xbox Cloud Gaming streams games from Microsoft’s servers to your console, laptop or phone, via your internet browser or the Xbox app. How does cloud gaming work? It’s a bit like being on a Zoom call with a game that you’re controlling, meaning you can jump into new games at the push of a button rather than waiting around for an installation. In simple terms, your commands are sent to the game, which is running on Microsoft’s server, and the sound and picture is streamed back to you in real-time.
Cloud gaming requires a membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (£32.99,Argos.co.uk), which unlocks on-demand access to more than 100 games. Thankfully, decent laptops are much easier to find than the Xbox series X. If you’re thinking of upgrading, check out our list of the best laptops in 2021.
The best VPN for the Xbox series X
Wednesday 20 October 2021 15:29 , Alistair Charlton
The Xbox series X has excellent built-in security when playing games online, but there are reasons other than staying safe online for installing a VPN for the Xbox.
If you use your Xbox as your main entertainment hub, a VPN (virtual private network) allows you to spoof your location and access streaming TV shows and movies not normally available in your country, such as those found on American Netflix, which is full of content normally unavailable to subscribers in the UK.
You can’t install a VPN directly to an Xbox series X, but you can install one on your internet router to anonymise all of the web traffic in your home in one fell swoop.
A slow VPN will hinder your online gaming, so to keep your Xbox series X running at its best you’ll want to make sure the VPN you choose is fast and responsive enough to avoid lag and dropouts when playing online. Check out our round-up of the best VPNs for torrenting, streaming and gaming.
The best TVs for gaming on Xbox series X
Wednesday 20 October 2021 15:03 , Alistair Charlton
To get the most out of the Xbox series X, you’ll need a 4K television.
Many next-generation games allow you to choose between a performance mode and a graphics mode. The former downgrades the visuals slightly for smoother framerates, while the latter mode enables higher resolutions and creates more detail at the expense of framerate.
If your TV only goes up to 1080p (also known as Full HD), you won’t be getting the most out of your new Xbox series X. To help you upgrade your set without breaking the bank, we’ve pulled together a list of the best 4K TV deals for entertainment, movies and gaming.
Check out some Black Friday 2021 tech deals
Wednesday 20 October 2021 14:01 , Alistair Charlton
The Xbox series X isn’t the only thing in short supply around here. Everything from laptops to smartphones has been affected by production delays, with shortages of many high-end consumer electronics predicted to stretch into next year.
To give you the best chance of finding the tech you’re after, we launched our Black Friday tech deals guide. You’ll find great deals on tech and gaming accessories from Amazon, John Lewis & Partners, Currys PC World, and Argos.
We’ll be adding new deals as they appear in the run up to the big shopping event, so check back for updates as Black Friday approaches.
The best gaming deals for Black Friday 2021
Wednesday 20 October 2021 13:28 , Alistair Charlton
With Black Friday now just a few weeks away, we’d like to draw your attention to the IndyBest guide to the best gaming deals and discounts for 2021. The shopping event of the year officially kicks off on 26 November, but retailers often start their sales days or even an entire week early.
Because there are often so many tech deals up for grabs on Black Friday, we’re taking a granular approach at IndyBest. We’ve got dedicated pieces on deals on televisions, general technology – and, of course, gaming. Gaming deals this Black Friday will be up for grabs far and wide, from specialists like Game and ShopTo, as well as general retailers like Amazon, Very, Argos, Currys and more.
While we can’t promise discounts on the still-tricky-to-find Xbox series X and PlayStation 5, nor the Nintendo Switch OLED – which we have recently reviewed – but you can definitely expect to see money off games, accessories, other consoles and digital services.
The best Black Friday 2021 gaming deals and discounts
What’s the difference between Xbox series X and series S?
Wednesday 20 October 2021 13:02 , Alistair Charlton
After a couple of restocks yesterday it’s looking like a quieter day today. So let’s brush up on the fundamentals, and remind ourselves of the differences between the two types of Xbox console.
There are two next-gen Xboxes, the less powerful £249 Xbox series S and the top-of-the-range £449 Xbox series X.
All Xbox games old and new will run on both consoles, though on the less powerful Xbox series S the overall graphics quality will be dialled down. The Xbox series S does not have a disc drive, has half the storage capacity and can only play downloaded games. The Xbox series S is much easier to find in stock than the series X. It’s also cheaper and costs just £249 (Amazon.co.uk).
Here are the details, if you’re into comparing teraflops.
Xbox series S specs:
CPU: Custom Zen 2 8-core CPU
GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUS
Memory: 10GB GDDR6
Storage: 512GB SSD
Resolution: 1440p at 60fps
Xbox series X specs:
CPU: AMD 8-core Zen 2 @ 3.8 GHz
GPU: 12TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz
Memory: 16GB GDDR6
Storage: 1TB custom WD SSD, optional 1T
Resolution: 4K at 60fps
Read our review of the new Nintendo Switch OLED
Wednesday 20 October 2021 12:15 , Alistair Charlton
In the market for a new portable games console too? Well you should check out the Nintendo Switch OLED, which arrived earlier this month and features an all-new OLED display that is larger and brighter than before, with vivid colours and deeper blacks. The new Switch (£309.99, Argos.co.uk) also has a redesigned kickstand and twice the internal storage of the previous model.
Our reviewer gave the Nintendo Switch OLED a 9/10 rating and said: “The larger display is fantastic and playing games in handheld mode is an absolute joy. The kickstand feels so solid and makes us never want to look at that little toggle on the back of the original Switch ever again...if you’re new to Nintendo Switch and have never bought one before, this is absolutely the best version of the console yet.”
Is John Lewis due an Xbox series X restock?
Wednesday 20 October 2021 11:45 , Alistair Charlton
We’ll level with you: John Lewis & Partners doesn’t have a great track record when it comes to Xbox series X stock. The retailer last had a restock on 5 October, but that was only available via the app and stock didn’t last long at all. Before that, John Lewis had a couple of Xbox restocks in July and one in June.
The console is currently listed as out of stock on the John Lewis website, with no indication as to when more will arrive. The cheaper Xbox series S, which is widely available today at other retailers, is also out of stock at JL, despite the store’s attractive two-year warranty on tech products, we’d suggest you look elsewhere.
How to get free Bose 700 headphones when pre-ordering the Google Pixel 6
Wednesday 20 October 2021 11:30 , Alistair Charlton
Google has just announced its new Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 pro smartphones, and we have the perfect deal for you. The IndyBest team has found a deal where you can get a free pair of Bose 700 noise-cancelling headphones, worth a massive £350, when pre-ordering the new Pixel 6.
The headphones, which have a battery life of 20 hours, are a favourite of ours, having topped our round-up of the best noise-cancelling pairs of 2021. Our tester hailed Bose as the “king of ANC” and said shoppers would be “hard-pressed to find better” than the Bose 700’s active noise cancelling.
The offer is available for a limited time only, meaning you need to pre-order a Google Pixel 6 or Pixel pro from participating retailers between 19 October and 27 October to receive a set of Bose noise cancelling headphones. Once you’ve placed your pre-order for the phone, head over to pixel-offers.com/headphones to redeem the offer.
What is Xbox All Access?
Wednesday 20 October 2021 10:53 , Alistair Charlton
If you’d rather pay for your Xbox in monthly installments, then Xbox All Access might be for you. Set up by Microsoft and offered through Game and Smyths Toys (when stock is actually available, of course), All Access includes the console and Game Pass Ultimate.
There’s no upfront cost and the Xbox series X costs £28.99 a month for 24 months. The less powerful (and far more readily available) Xbox series S is £20.99 a month for 24 months. No physical games are included, but access to Game Pass Ultimate means you can play a catalogue of over 100 games from the cloud, on your Xbox or PC.
How to buy a PS5 today
Wednesday 20 October 2021 10:17 , Alistair Charlton
While we wait for more Xbox stock to arrive (and for the Argos website to get its act together), how about a PS5 instead? There have been a few restocks at UK retailers today, and to find out more you should head over to the IndyBest PS5 restock live blog. Our team is there, ready to share all of the latest news on every PS5 restock to land today.
Will the Xbox series X fit under your TV?
Wednesday 20 October 2021 10:03 , Alistair Charlton
Good question. The latest generation of game consoles – the Xbox series X and PS5 – are big. So big, in fact, you might have to rearrange your TV stand or media cabinet to make space for them.
The Xbox series S is much smaller, owing to it being less powerful and creating less heat. Here is how the two versions of next-gen Xbox stack up:
Stood up on its side, the Xbox series X measures 30.1cm tall, 15.1cm wide and 15.1cm deep. It weighs 4.45kg.
The Xbox series S is much slimmer, at 27.5cm tall, 6.5cm wide and 15.1cm deep, It weighs 1.93kg.
Both consoles can be stood up or laid down on their side – which could be a necessity if you want the series X on the shelf under your TV.
Argos website shows Xbox stock now available
Wednesday 20 October 2021 09:42 , Alistair Charlton
Argos has just added some Xbox series X stock to its website. The consoles can be added to shoppers’ trolleys, but it doesn’t look like much stock is available at this time. We’re struggling to find availability local to us, but hopefully this is just a case of stock being added to the database.
As ever with Argos, put an Xbox into your trolley and hit refresh until stock (hopefully) arrives at your local stores, ready for collection or delivery.
When did Currys last have an Xbox restock?
Wednesday 20 October 2021 09:18 , Alistair Charlton
Currys is well overdue an Xbox series X restock. The retailer last stocked the console on 7 September, and after quickly selling out we’ve seen nothing since. Currys had a strong summer, with series X restocks in June and July, then no fewer than four in August.
If you can’t wait any longer, Currys has the less powerful Xbox series S available to buy right now for its regular retail price of £249.
Will AO have another Xbox restock this month?
Wednesday 20 October 2021 09:02 , Alistair Charlton
AO had a restock yesterday, 19 October, but it didn’t last long at all, so we’re hoping the electronics retailer has some more Xbox consoles coming soon. Before that, AO had a series X restock on 12 October, as well as 3 August and 1 and 17 September.
The AO website currently lists the series X as out of stock, with no word of when new consoles will arrive.
The Xbox Series S is in stock at AO as part of a bundle with Fifa 22 (£319, AO.com), but a bundle with the console and a second controller (£345, AO.com) is currently unavailable.
Does the Microsoft Store have any Xbox stock?
Wednesday 20 October 2021 08:45 , Alistair Charlton
We’re not sure what happened yesterday, but the Microsoft Store briefly showed the Xbox series X as in stock and available to buy. However, trying to put the console in the shopping cart failed. Microsoft has since updated the website and the buy button has been replaced with the familiar ‘out of stock’ notice.
There’s no word of when the console will come back into stock with Microsoft. Prior to this, the site had restocks on 25 August, 7 September and 12 October. It’s tricky to predict when the next restock will happen. Was yesterday’s error a sign that stock is about to go live? Was it a cynical attempt to drum up some attention? Who knows. We just hope Microsoft has an Xbox restock soon.
How to buy an Xbox series X online
Wednesday 20 October 2021 08:30 , Alistair Charlton
Since there are no restocks to report on at the moment, let’s go over some of the basics when it comes to securing a console. Preparation is key to success, and there are a bunch of things you can do right now to ensure you’re ready when the next restock happens.
Register an account and save your payment details at each of the retailers that stock the Xbox series X. They’re listed in the main article above
Are you a BT customer, or know somebody who is? Register your interest on the BT site to get exclusive access to BT’s next drop
Download each retailer’s app (if they have one) and add the Xbox series X to your wish list or “save for later” list
When the console drops, use the link in your wish list to add the Xbox to your trolley – this usually has a higher success rate than navigating through the website
Keep note of the prices of bundles to ensure you’re getting a good deal. Rounding up, the console itself is £450, controllers are £50, the official headset is £90, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs £11 per month. Newly released game are £60, but retailers usually bundle older games with the console
The pay-as-you-go Xbox All Access programme is good value for money, so long as you don’t already have a Game Pass subscription
When will Smyths Toys have an Xbox restock?
Wednesday 20 October 2021 08:21 , Alistair Charlton
Smyths Toys is currently sold out of Xbox series X consoles (because of course it is), but shoppers shouldn’t have too much longer to wait until more arrive. The Smyths website says fresh Xbox stock is expected in October, and with only 11 days of the month left, we’re hopeful that the restock will arrive in the next week or so.
Prior to this, Smyths has Xbox restocks on 5 and 10 August, and 9 and 24 September.
The Xbox series X mini fridge is sold out
Wednesday 20 October 2021 08:16 , Alistair Charlton
As well as two small console restocks, yesterday also saw pre-orders open for the Xbox series X mini fridge. An official Microsoft product and proof of what happens when a joke goes too far, the fridge looks like a series X, but is large enough to chill 10 cans of your favourite beverage. It’s available exclusively through Game but, you guessed it, it’s now sold out.
Game’s website says vaguely how the Xbox fridge “might be available in store,” so if a console-shaped drinks cooler is what you really, really want, you should contact your local branch of Game.
Who will restock the Xbox series X next?
Wednesday 20 October 2021 08:11 , Alistair Charlton
Predicting Xbox restocks is proving incredibly difficult at the moment, as stock tends to spring up out of nowhere – and, yes, often disappear just as quickly. We reckon Game must be due a restock soon, as the retailer tends to have new Xbox consoles every couple of weeks.
With the last restock being 24 September, it’s been almost four weeks now since Game last had any consoles. Before that, we saw no fewer than six restocks from Game through August, so hopefully the retailer is saving itself for a couple of bumper restocks as we head towards Christmas.
Good morning and welcome!
Wednesday 20 October 2021 08:03 , Alistair Charlton
Good morning, Xbox hunters! Welcome back to the IndyBest Xbox series X live blog, where we’ll share all of the latest news on UK restocks throughout the day.
Yesterday saw two (two!) restocks, from Very and AO, but they were brief and many eager shoppers were left empty-handed. Hopefully we’ll see some larger restocks today.
Xbox stock trackers, signing off
Tuesday 19 October 2021 16:55 , Steve Hogarty
Well that’s all from us on this beautiful, grey Tuesday, thank you for joining us on the Xbox stock tracking liveblog.
Today we had a drop from Very and a drop from AO, though stock was so limited that many shoppers were left empty handed by the time they reached the checkout.
If you missed your chance, don’t worry. We’re expecting even more restocks of Microsoft’s next-generation console this week.
To be the first to know when the Xbox series X is back in stock, join us again tomorrow morning. Good evening!
The best VPN for the Xbox series X
Tuesday 19 October 2021 16:21 , Steve Hogarty
The Xbox series X has impeccable built-in security when playing games online, but there reasons besides security to install a VPN for the Xbox.
If you use your Xbox as your main entertainment hub, a virtual private network allows you to spoof your location and access telly shows and movies not normally available in your country, such as those found on American Netflix, which is full of amazing things they don’t want British people seeing.
You can’t install a VPN directly to an Xbox series X, but you can install one on your internet router to anonymise all of the web traffic in your home in one fell swoop.
A slow VPN will hinder your online gaming, so to keep your Xbox series X running at peak performance you’ll want to make sure the VPN you choose is fast and responsive enough to avoid lag and dropouts when playing online. Check out our round-up of the best VPNs for torrenting, streaming and gaming.
The best VPN for every type of device
The best Xbox series X games to play right now
Tuesday 19 October 2021 15:22 , Steve Hogarty
The enthusiasm with which we track Xbox stock might make you think we don’t already own one, but truth be told we’ve been gaming on the Xbox series X for a while now. This whole liveblog endeavour is all about finding an Xbox for you, friend.
In advance of bagging your own console, why not check out our list of the best Xbox series X games we’ve been playing in 2021?
Managed to find the Xbox series X in stock? Here are the games you need to play
Xbox mini fridge pre-orders are live now
Tuesday 19 October 2021 14:32 , Steve Hogarty
Game has started selling pre-orders for the Xbox mini fridge.
The fridge, which is the end result of a joke taken too far, is flying off the shelves.
Xbox series X mini fridge is available to buy now
Check out some Black Friday 2021 tech deals
Tuesday 19 October 2021 14:25 , Steve Hogarty
The Xbox series X isn’t the only thing in short supply around here. Everything from laptops to smartphones has been affected by production delays, with shortages of many high-end consumer electronics predicted to stretch into next year.
To give you the best chance of finding the tech you’re after, we launched our Black Friday tech deals guide. You’ll find great deals on tech and gaming accessories from Amazon, John Lewis & Partners, Currys PC World, and Argos.
We’ll be adding new deals as they appear in the run up to the big shopping event, so check back for updates as Black Friday approaches.
Black Friday tech deals: What offers to expect this year
Check out some of the best Black Friday 2021 tech deals
Wednesday 20 October 2021 08:32 , Alistair Charlton
The Xbox series X isn’t the only thing in short supply around here. Everything from laptops to smartphones has been affected by production delays, with shortages of many high-end consumer electronics predicted to stretch into next year.
To give you the best chance of finding the tech you’re after, we launched our Black Friday tech deals guide. You’ll find great deals on tech and gaming accessories from Amazon, John Lewis & Partners, Currys PC World, and Argos.
We’ll be adding new deals as they appear in the run up to the big shopping event, so check back for updates as Black Friday approaches.
Who will restock the Xbox series X next?
Tuesday 19 October 2021 13:26 , Steve Hogarty
Not to pat ourselves on the back too much, but we predicted this morning’s Very restock with unnerving accuracy. Sometimes we frighten even ourselves.
So with the Xbox sold out again and Very no longer in the picture, where do we think we’ll see Microsoft’s next-generation console pop up next?
Our patented stock tracking algorithm predicts Game. It’s a weak prediction, a little fuzzy around the edges and not as firm as we’d like, but right now it’s topping the chart of retailers most likely to restock the Xbox next.
It’s been three and a half weeks since Game last sold an Xbox, and the retailer rarely goes more than two without a drop. We’re keeping our eyes peeled and our mouse-clicking fingers poised.
Sign up to the IndyBest newsletter for more deals
Tuesday 19 October 2021 12:28 , Steve Hogarty
Want more shopping insights? Why not sign up to the IndyBest newsletter right now to access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products, as chosen by our crack team of IndyBest experts.
Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the handy digest features items from our tried and tested reviews by experts in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.
Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of our other newsletters now by clicking below.
IndyBest newsletter - Sign up for your essential weekly shopping guide
Very might have the Xbox series X in stock
Tuesday 19 October 2021 12:13 , Steve Hogarty
The Very waiting room has opened up again for the Xbox series X console.
Buy now (£449.99, Very.co.uk)
We cannot verify if the retailer has any available Xbox stock right now — all we know is that Very has opened up its queuing system for the second time today.
The Xbox series X is now sold out at Very
Tuesday 19 October 2021 12:03 , Steve Hogarty
The waiting room has just rudely catapulted shoppers back to the Very homepage, where the Xbox series X is defiantly sold out as ever.
We haven’t heard any reports of customers successfully catching an Xbox series X on this occasion. We’re investigating just how many consoles were made available, if any.
Xbox Game Studios teased (the de-teased) the new ‘Fable'
Tuesday 19 October 2021 11:59 , Steve Hogarty
Microsoft seemed to tease a major Fable announcement on Twitter before quickly deleting the tweet, walking back the tease and putting the genie back in the bottle.
“We’re excited to kick off something special tomorrow!” tweeted the Xbox Game Studios account. “(Just give us one more day to prepare the chickens.)ð”
“We’d call it our Fable Anniversary, but that name was already taken.”
A long-awaited new entry in Microsoft’s beloved fantasy RPG series (which features, among other things, chickens) is already known to be in the works. It will be developed by Playground Games (of Forza Horizon) but so far no details have been spilled.
Sorry for any confusion! We don't have any big game news tomorrow, or any info about @WeArePlayground's upcoming Fable game.
— Xbox Game Studios Publishing (@XboxPublishing) October 18, 2021
It’s not clear what the now-deleted tweet was actually about, or whether it really was alluding to any kind of Fable announcement. In our professional opinion, we think it was a clumsy reference that spiralled out of control.
Xbox fans, misinterpreting tweets and spiralling out of control? Say it ain’t so.
Everything you need to know about the Xbox mini fridge
Tuesday 19 October 2021 11:44 , Steve Hogarty
While we’re all hanging around in Very’s purgatorial waiting room hoping to buy an Xbox series X that could well be sold out by the time we’re at the front of the queue, let’s have a think about refrigeration and brand synergy.
That’s right, we’re talking about the Xbox mini fridge. Pre-orders open today, and here’s everything you could possibly need to know about this cool marketing stunt, including how to get your hands on one.
Xbox series X mini fridge opens for pre-orders in the UK today
PS5 shoppers are reaching the front of Very’s queue
Tuesday 19 October 2021 11:07 , Steve Hogarty
Still stuck in the Very waiting room? So are we. It’s been over an hour.
The retailer dropped the PS5 at the same time as the Xbox this morning, so presumably there a huge numbers of shoppers still trying to get through. We advise you don’t refresh the page, and don’t try to open the store link in more tabs.
PlayStation 5 fans are now being allowed out of the waiting room to find that their preferred console is in stock, giving us hope that we could see the same for the Xbox soon.
Thanks guys I’ve managed to secure the Disc Edition on Very. Buzzing!
— Kevin Phillips (@KevinPh79093835) October 19, 2021
You just gotta believe.
Try the Very app if you’re still in the website queue
Tuesday 19 October 2021 10:33 , Steve Hogarty
The Xbox series X restock at Very is still ongoing, though it seems everybody is in this interminable waiting room at the moment. Here’s the link if you’d like to join us.
Buy now, £449.99
The retailer has also restocked the PlayStation 5 this morning. Over on our PS5 stock tracking liveblog, they suggest using the Very app on your phone (using mobile data so you’ve got a unique IP address) to navigate the virtual queue.
“Try using the Very smartphone app instead. We’ve heard of shoppers who have been able to navigate through the virtual queuing system more quickly using the app. As it stands, we’re not sure how much stock Very added to their site this morning, but if the app can speed things up then we think it’s worth a try.”
The Xbox series X is still on sale at Very
Tuesday 19 October 2021 10:10 , Steve Hogarty
Buy now, £449.99
Here are some more tips for the waiting room.
Very uses your IP address to determine your position in the queue. Refreshing too many times can cause the site to kick you out or even block you, so don’t open too many tabs on the same device.
You can give yourself more chances of getting through the waiting room by using your phone (on mobile data), or using another device on a VPN (which disguises your IP address).
The best advice? Just be patient and wait. Last time Very dropped, we saw shoppers being released from the waiting room up to an hour after first clicking the link.
The Xbox series X is in stock at Very
Tuesday 19 October 2021 09:50 , Steve Hogarty
Very has restocked the standalone Xbox series X console for £449.99.
The retailer is operating a waiting room for customers. Don’t refresh the page, your turn will come. It can take anything up to an hour to reach the front of the queue.
The Xbox mini fridge pre-orders are in Game stores now
Tuesday 19 October 2021 09:31 , Steve Hogarty
Important mini fridge update.
Shoppers are reporting availability of the Xbox mini fridge in Game stores around the country this morning. Stock is limited to just a handful of fridges per shop, but if you’re eager to get your hands on one you should pop into your nearest branch today.
Game is expected to launch pre-orders for the Xbox mini fridge online at 2pm this afternoon.
Whether you find one in store or on the website, these are pre-order deals only. The mini fridge will launch in December, so you’ll just have to drink warm beer until then.
Very could restock the Xbox series X today
Tuesday 19 October 2021 09:10 , Steve Hogarty
Verily, the Xbox is out of stock at Very. But there’s a high chance the retailer could restock today before 12pm, based on previous restocking patterns.
Very resupplies the Xbox on Tuesdays before noon, once every four or five weeks. The last four drops have landed on this schedule precisely.
As the most recent restock at Very was exactly five weeks ago, we should see another restock this morning if the patterns holds true.
The Xbox mini fridge launches today
Tuesday 19 October 2021 08:54 , Steve Hogarty
Forget the Xbox series X console, there’s an official Xbox mini fridge launching at Game today.
Why? Well, when the Xbox series X was first revealed in 2019, fans joked that the console resembled a fridge. Microsoft sees marketing opportunities in every crisis, so quickly set about sending full-size, Xbox branded refrigerators to major celebrities.
Snoop Dogg has an Xbox Series X fridge pic.twitter.com/7SUCJYdk36
— Wario64 (@Wario64) October 24, 2020
Now, fans can finally pre-order their very own Xbox fridge (albeit a miniature-size fridge big enough to hold 12 cans of pop) when it goes on sale at Game later this afternoon.
In the absence of any Xbox consoles to report on, we’ll bring you an update on the Xbox mini fridge as soon as stock appears.
The Xbox series X is not in stock at Microsoft
Tuesday 19 October 2021 08:32 , Steve Hogarty
The Microsoft Store is trolling shoppers this morning.
The “checkout” button on the retailer’s Xbox series X product page has lit up and can even be clicked to add the console to your trolley.
But don’t be fooled. You get as far into the purchase as entering your payment details before the site tells you that the Xbox series X is not in stock.
Apparently the glitch is caused when the Microsoft Store restocks the console in the USA, and its stock tracking systems forget which side of the ocean they’re on.
We’ll keep an eye on it all the same, in case this goofiness precedes a UK stock drop.
Xbox stock trackers, activate
Tuesday 19 October 2021 08:23 , Steve Hogarty
Good morning, Xbox hunters!
Welcome to Tuesday’s Xbox series X stock tracking liveblog, where we’ll be scouring the internet for any available stock of Microsoft’s latest console.
The Xbox can appear without warning and sells out quickly, so we’re here to bring you live stock updates as soon as they happen to give you the best chance of grabbing one before it sells out again.
Ready? Then we begin.
Live blog logging off
Monday 18 October 2021 17:00 , Alistair Charlton
That was a bit better, wasn’t it? After what felt like weeks of Xbox drought, we saw a smattering of series X stock today. First there was a quick restock from EE, followed by a more substantial one from BT using its VIP code system. We also got distracted by the Xbox seres X mini fridge, which opens for pre-order at Game tomorrow, 19 October. Will you be buying one?
As ever, we’ll see you again tomorrow morning for another day of Xbox hunting.
BT now sold out
Monday 18 October 2021 16:03 , Alistair Charlton
It looks like the BT store is now sold out of today’s Xbox series X restock. The console looked to be available for a good while, showing that BT’s VIP code system appears to be working. This is where BT customers apply for a code, which is then emailed out when stock is available, and used to claim a console, which shoppers then pay for as normal. Congratulations to any readers who managed to buy one!
What is Xbox All Access?
Monday 18 October 2021 16:01 , Alistair Charlton
If you’d rather pay for your Xbox in monthly installments, then Xbox All Access might be for you. Set up by Microsoft and offered through Game and Smyths Toys (when stock is actually available, of course), All Access includes the console and Game Pass Ultimate.
There’s no upfront cost and the Xbox series X costs £28.99 a month for 24 months. The less powerful (and far more readily available) Xbox series S is £20.99 a month for 24 months. No physical games are included, but access to Game Pass Ultimate means you can play a catalogue of over 100 games from the cloud, on your Xbox or PC.
How to buy an Xbox series X online
Monday 18 October 2021 15:27 , Alistair Charlton
Since there are no new restocks to report on, let’s go over some of basic tips when it comes to securing a console. Preparation is the key to success here, and there are a bunch of things you can do right now to ensure you’re ready when the next restock happens.
Register an account and save your payment details at each of the retailers that stock the Xbox series X. They’re listed in the main article above
Are you a BT customer, or know somebody who is? Register your interest on the BT site to get exclusive access to BT’s next drop
Download each retailer’s app (if they have one) and add the Xbox series X to your wish list or “save for later” list
When the console drops, use the link in your wish list to add the Xbox to your trolley – this usually has a higher success rate than navigating through the website
Keep note of the prices of bundles to ensure you’re getting a good deal. Rounding up, the console itself is £450, controllers are £50, the official headset is £90, and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate costs £11 per month. Newly released game are around £60, but retailers usually bundle older games with the console
The pay-as-you-go Xbox All Access programme is good value for money, so long as you don’t already have a Game Pass subscription
You can play Xbox games on your laptop
Monday 18 October 2021 15:01 , Alistair Charlton
You don’t actually need an Xbox series X to play Xbox series X games. Instead, you just need a fast enough internet connection and a compatible streaming device.
Xbox Cloud Gaming streams games from Microsoft’s servers to your console, laptop or phone, via your internet browser or the Xbox app. How does cloud gaming work? It’s a bit like being on a Zoom call with a game that you’re controlling, meaning you can jump into new games at the push of a button rather than waiting around for an installation. You control it as normal, but the game is running on Microsoft’s servers, which then stream the sound and picture of the game to your device.
Cloud gaming requires a membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (£32.99,Argos.co.uk), which unlocks on-demand access to more than 100 games. Thankfully, decent laptops are much easier to find than the Xbox series X. If you’re thinking of upgrading, check out our list of the best laptops in 2021.
Sign up to the Indy
Monday 18 October 2021 14:02 , Alistair Charlton
Have we helped you find an Xbox series X? Are you now keen for more shopping insights? Why not sign up to the free IndyBest newsletter, where you can access the best deals and round-ups of the week’s must-have products chosen by IndyBest experts.
Dropping into your inbox every Friday morning, the handy digest features items from our tried and tested reviews by pros in the field – helping you make the most informed choice with your hard-earned cash.
Get the IndyBest newsletter and access to all of The Independent’s other newsletters now. You won’t regret it.
The best gaming deals this Black Friday
Monday 18 October 2021 13:28 , Alistair Charlton
We know it’s still only mid-October, but Black Friday 2021 will be with us before you know it. Falling on 26 November, the shopping event of the year is likely to kick off earlier than that, with retailers expected to cut prices a week or even an entire month in advance.
There are always lots of technology deals to take advantage of during the Black Friday sales, with lots of discounts to be had on video game consoles, games, accessories and more. We can’t promise discounts on the still-tricky-to-find Xbox series X and PlayStation 5, nor the Nintendo Switch OLED, but you can definitely expect to see money off games, accessories, other consoles and digital services.
Retailers like Game, Currys and Amazon will be cutting prices across a huge range of video games and related products, making it the perfect time to expand your game collection, grab a new controller, or renew your online gaming subscriptions.
What’s the difference between Xbox series X and series S?
Monday 18 October 2021 13:04 , Alistair Charlton
We’re over half way through October with hardly any Xbox series X stock drops in sight. So let’s brush up on the fundamentals. Know your enemy and all that.
There are two next-gen Xboxes, the less powerful Xbox series S and the top-of-the-range Xbox series X.
All Xbox games old and new will run on both consoles, though on the less powerful Xbox series S the overall graphics quality will be dialled down. The Xbox series S does not have a disc drive, has half the storage capacity and can only play downloaded games. The Xbox series S is much easier to find in stock than the series X. It’s also cheaper and costs just £249 (Amazon.co.uk).
Here are the details, if you’re into comparing teraflops.
Xbox series S specs:
CPU: Custom Zen 2 8-core CPU
GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUS
Memory: 10GB GDDR6
Storage: 512GB SSD
Resolution: 1440p at 60fps
Xbox series X specs:
CPU: AMD 8-core Zen 2 @ 3.8 GHz
GPU: 12TFLOPS, 52 CUs @ 1.825 GHz
Memory: 16GB GDDR6
Storage: 1TB custom WD SSD, optional 1T
Resolution: 4K at 60fps
How to buy a PS5
Monday 18 October 2021 12:31 , Alistair Charlton
If you’re considering switching from Xbox to PlayStation then we have some good news for you – the PS5 is easier to buy than the Xbox series X. Or rather, it’s slightly easier to buy. Restocks at UK retailers have been happening more often than with the Xbox series X, and stock tends to hang around for a little longer too. Some retailers even give advance notice of when stock will arrive. Dreamy.
Of course, the IndyBest team is here to help you grab a PS5 the moment a restock happens. To get all of the latest news and tips on how to buy a PS5, head over to our PS5 UK restock live blog.
How to pre-order the Xbox series X mini fridge
Monday 18 October 2021 12:02 , Alistair Charlton
Yes, really. Microsoft is making a mini fridge that looks just like an Xbox series X, only large enough to chill 12 cans of your favourite beverage. The fridge is priced at £89.99 and is available exclusively through Game in the UK. Pre-orders open on 19 October and Microsoft says the Xbox mini fridge is due to ship from December.
The fridge, which contains two shelves and has a 10-litre capacity, measures 462 x 232 x 232mm.
Xbox series X stock arrives in BT online store
Monday 18 October 2021 11:34 , Alistair Charlton
BT customers are now able to order an Xbox series X from the telecom’s online store. Instead of this being a free-for-all, the consoles can only be bought by BT customers using a unique code. These codes are emailed out to customers who have previously registered to receive one.
If that’s you, then check your inbox now! It should contain an email from BT with the all-important code – then head to the BT store, sit in the virtual queue and, hopefully, you’ll be given the chance to buy an Xbox.
