Microsoft’s Project Helix could cost up to $1,800
The next‑generation Xbox console may launch by Christmas 2028 at a price range of $1,200 to $1,800, with internal debate over its operating system.
21 Oct 2026 0 reads Compiled with AI
#Microsoft #Xbox #Project Helix
Microsoft’s next‑generation console, Project Helix, is expected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800 at launch, according to internal estimates shared by Fortune. The price range reflects the high cost of new hardware, but Microsoft could lower the retail price if it chooses to subsidize the unit.
Launch window
Industry chatter points to a 2028 holiday launch. GamesRadar+ reports that the console is slated to hit stores by Christmas 2028, putting it in the same window as next‑generation competitors.
Inside Microsoft, a debate rages over the handheld’s operating system. Some want a trimmed‑down version of Windows Home, akin to the ROG Xbox Ally, while others push for a custom operating system built by the Xbox group. A senior executive reportedly threatened to cancel the handheld if it would have to run Windows, underscoring the tension.
Microsoft has traditionally subsidized console sales, but the current scarcity of high‑end memory and storage drives up component prices. Kotaku notes that if subsidies are withheld, the $1,200–$1,800 price range may be unavoidable. The company’s ability to recoup the cost through game sales and add‑ons could be hampered by a shrinking install base, making subsidies less feasible.