● Covered by 3 sources · 4 reportsMedium impact4 neutral
Next Xbox Console, Project Helix, Could Cost Up To $1,800 Due to Part Costs
Key points
- Project Helix console projected to cost $1,200-$1,800.
- High component costs, including RAM, are cited as the reason.
- A handheld Xbox device is expected for holiday 2027.
- The full console is slated for holiday 2028.
- Project Helix was announced in March as a device to play Xbox and PC games.
- The pricing reflects increasing hardware costs due to Moore's Law slowdown and AI-driven component shortages.
- The price for consumers could be subsidized by Microsoft.
- Xbox CEO Asha Sharma was profiled in Fortune.
- Former Xbox boss Phil Spencer said "We're not going to grow the market with $1,000 consoles."
- Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball said the company would change practices for affordability.
- Building a new PC comparable to Xbox Series X costs $1,200.
- Building a PC comparable to Xbox Series X with used parts costs $730.
- Xbox Series X launched in November 2020 for $499.99.
- PCWorld estimated a matching PC cost $1,559 at Xbox Series X launch.
- Xbox Series X now costs $799.99.
- Xbox prices rose on August 1, the third US increase since early last year.
Projected Pricing for Project Helix
A Fortune profile of new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma revealed potential pricing for Project Helix, the next-generation Xbox console. The console is currently projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800, unless Microsoft decides to subsidize the hardware.
Factors Influencing High Cost
The reported high price is attributed to increased costs for components like RAM, driven by AI development and ongoing shortages. This could pose a challenge for Xbox's objective of expanding its user base to 1 billion daily users.
Release Timeline and Device Family
The next hardware release from Xbox is expected to be a handheld device, scheduled for the 2027 holiday season. The full Project Helix console is anticipated to launch during the same period in 2028. Previous statements from Sharma indicated Project Helix would encompass a "family" of gaming devices.
Potential Game Pass Changes and Layoffs
The report also mentioned a potential overhaul of Xbox's Game Pass, possibly introducing a la carte pricing with add-ons for console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer. Additionally, further layoffs within Xbox are expected in the coming months, with rounds planned for this month, November, and January.
Updates
- Building a new PC comparable to Xbox Series X costs $1,200.
- Building a PC comparable to Xbox Series X with used parts costs $730.
- Xbox Series X launched in November 2020 for $499.99.
- PCWorld estimated a matching PC cost $1,559 at Xbox Series X launch.
- Xbox Series X now costs $799.99.
- Xbox prices rose on August 1, the third US increase since early last year.
- Former Xbox boss Phil Spencer said "We're not going to grow the market with $1,000 consoles."
- Xbox chief strategy officer Matthew Ball said the company would change practices for affordability.
- Project Helix was announced in March as a device to play Xbox and PC games.
- The pricing reflects increasing hardware costs due to Moore's Law slowdown and AI-driven component shortages.
- The price for consumers could be subsidized by Microsoft.
- Xbox CEO Asha Sharma was profiled in Fortune.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Building a new PC with performance comparable to an Xbox Series X now costs approximately $1,200, while using used parts can reduce the cost to around $730. This analysis shows that the price gap between a console and an equivalent PC has narrowed since the Xbox Series X's 2020 launch, due to console price increases and cheaper PC components.
A report indicates the next Xbox console, due in 2028, could cost between $1,200 and $1,800, according to Microsoft insiders. This projection contradicts previous statements from Xbox leadership about the need for affordable consoles and raises questions about market viability.
Microsoft's upcoming Xbox console, Project Helix, is projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800, according to a Fortune report. This high price is attributed to rising component costs and could impact Xbox's goal of reaching 1 billion daily users.
Microsoft's upcoming Project Helix console, slated for a 2028 holiday release, is internally projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800. This pricing reflects increasing hardware costs due to factors like Moore's Law slowdown and AI-driven component shortages, potentially setting a new high for console pricing.