Xbox handheld planned for 2027 and $1,200+ console for 2028

Xbox CEO Asha Sharma announced that a brand new portable gaming system is scheduled for release during the Holiday 2027 season. A next-generation console is also planned for Holiday 2028. These devices reportedly fall under an internal initiative called Project Helix. Internal projections for the new console range from $1,200 to $1,800 without subsidies, though plans to subsidize the hardware are unknown.

Reports say the Xbox team won an internal struggle to build and control their own software for the handheld rather than using a pared down version of Windows. A reported overhaul of Game Pass would use a tiered structure to let players choose features such as cloud gaming, multiplayer, and add-ons for console-only games. Day-one games do not appear to be part of this reported plan. Microsoft's Judson Althoff said the company is not looking to sell Xbox.