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Microsoft is internally projecting that its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, could cost consumers between $1,200 and $1,800. The company describes the device as a premium, high-end machine comparable to a powerful gaming PC, though these figures may change if Microsoft chooses to subsidize the hardware costs.
Project Helix is currently expected to launch before the 2028 holiday season. The console is intended to support both Xbox and PC titles, positioning it as a hybrid device. However, Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has cautioned that rising component costs make final pricing uncertain.
Before the console arrives, Microsoft reportedly plans to release a next-generation Xbox handheld by the 2027 holiday season. This project faces internal friction, as the Windows and Xbox teams disagree on whether the device should utilize a version of Windows Home or custom software developed by the Xbox division to optimize gaming performance.
These hardware initiatives occur during a broader corporate reset for the brand, which involves studio restructuring and potential future layoffs. Additionally, the company is reportedly planning an overhaul of its Game Pass subscription model to move away from a one-size-fits-all structure.
