Next Xbox Cost Reportedly Could Reach $1,800
The next Xbox cost is reportedly projected to land between $1,200 and $1,800, according to a new report on the company’s upcoming plans. That figure covers Project Helix, Xbox’s next-gen console that will also play PC games, unless Microsoft chooses to subsidize the hardware.
The report also touches on release timing. Xbox’s next hardware release is said to be a handheld device arriving for the 2027 holiday season, with the full console following in the same window during 2028.
Project Helix Pricing and Timing
In a separate interview in August, new Xbox CEO Asha Sharma hinted that Project Helix would be a “family” of gaming devices, so news of multiple releases isn’t a surprise. The more shocking development is around price.
If that next Xbox cost range does turn out to be the going rate, and it definitely could be given the ongoing explosion in prices for RAM and other components driven by AI development, it might be a major roadblock for Sharma’s goal of seeing Xbox reach more than 1 billion people daily.
A lot could still change in the next two years. It’s possible this high figure is being teased so that when the actual price is lower, Microsoft and Xbox might appear more benevolent toward customers. Or the price really will be that eye-poppingly high, and Xbox will face a steep climb to grow from its current reported level of 100 million daily active users.
Competitive Pressure and Brand Challenges
It’s hard to imagine people shelling out that much for hardware from the beleaguered brand when they could opt for the currently cheaper Steam Machine.
The stakes are clear. A next Xbox cost near the top of that reported range would test consumer loyalty in a market where alternatives exist at lower prices.
Game Pass Overhaul and Layoffs
Another detail shared in the report includes a potential overhaul of Xbox’s Game Pass to have a la carte pricing with add-ons for “console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer,” according to unnamed insiders.
The next rounds of layoffs in Xbox’s ongoing downsizing effort are also expected to come this month, followed by additional cuts planned for November and January.
What to Watch For
With roughly two years before the reported 2028 console window, pricing, subsidies, and subscription structure all remain fluid. For now, the next Xbox cost remains a projection rather than a confirmed figure, and Microsoft has not announced final pricing.
