Microsoft’s next-gen Xbox Series X|S hardware has gone beyond the conceptualization stage, reports industry insider Jez Corden of Windows Central. Microsoft has finally approved and set a price on its next-gen Xbox, making way for devkit production, supplier discussions, and other logistical processes necessary to roll out a new console.
A New Era for Xbox
Since 2024, Microsoft has provided some hints at its future plans for the next Xbox, with its executives promising the “largest technical leap” in the history of consoles. Although information is still limited, this latest news indicates that the company is now shifting towards a more solid development phase.
The largest rumor about the next-generation Xbox clan is the inclusion of a handheld console. Microsoft Gaming head Phil Spencer has already confirmed that Microsoft is developing an Xbox handheld, but it remained in prototype phases as of late 2024. If Microsoft takes the approach of the Xbox Series X/S, the future generation of consoles might ship with several distinct variations, including a standard console and a portable console.
Possible Release Schedule
Microsoft traditionally starts developing new consoles about three years after the last generation has come out. With the Xbox Series X/S launching in November 2020, a 2027 release for the next-gen Xbox Series X would fit past trends. Internal company meetings leaked in 2023 indicated Microsoft was aiming for 2028 for its next-gen console, but it is not known if those estimates have changed.
While an official announcement is probably still years off, Microsoft usually makes new console announcements 6 to 12 months prior to launch. If the leaked schedule holds true, fans should see more concrete information around 2027. The future generation of Xbox is busy in the meantime. That said, with Xbox being at the back seat of the console wars against PlayStation, a new next-gen console would really help to improve their standing.
