The consoles of the next generation are going to be expensive, very expensive, very very expensive. You’re starting to know it: the appetite of data centers dedicated to AI for memory chips is making these components scarce and, as a result, increasingly costly. And the first to be hit by this structural inflation are naturally manufacturers of consumer electronic devices, especially game console makers.
An as-yet unclear pricing strategy
A few days ago, we reported the latest rumors about the staggering price that the PlayStation 6 could reach. Yesterday, similar news came out about its competitor, the Xbox Helix. In a recent article dedicated to the machine, Fortune reports that internal projections at Microsoft indicate an estimated selling price between $1,200 and $1,800.
The company could, however, choose to absorb part of the costs to spare consumers, a common practice in the industry, where most of the profit comes from games and service subscriptions. The article also tells us that Microsoft has stepped up development of the machine, now aiming for a 2028 release.
A handheld console as a forerunner in 2027
In parallel, Xbox is expected to release a handheld console by the end of 2027, even if it is not yet known whether it will be part of the “Helix project.” Recall that Microsoft CEO Asha Sharma had previously stated that Helix would be a family of devices, of which this console could be the first member.
The Xbox Helix home console launch is targeted by the teams for the 2028 holiday season.
