Will There Be a New Xbox Console? All The Details We Know (2026)
It’s no surprise that Xbox has been in turmoil in the current console generation, but we didn’t think it’d be to the extent where the PS5 has outsold every Xbox console ever released. Not to mention some rather inexplicable decisions like Xbox exclusives moving over to other platforms (Halo on PS5, who would’ve thunk it?). But all that begs the question: What is the future of Xbox? Will there even be a new next-gen Xbox platform to succeed where the Xbox Series S|X failed? We’re taking a deep dive into all the latest details to speculate on whether the Xbox will actually come out with a new version, what to expect, and possibly when to expect it.
Why Some are Convinced Xbox is Leaving the Console Game
Essentially, there are 4 key reasons why many think that Xbox is gettin’ out of the console game:
Xbox’s Steady Price Increases
Since its release, the Xbox Series S|X has seen three rounds of price increases, even though it’s far behind both Nintendo and PlayStation in terms of console sales.
This makes sense considering RAM shortages, tariffs, and other factors impacting the economy, but on the other hand, PS5s and Nintendo Switch 1 & 2 haven’t seen as many substantial price increases.
This could indicate that Xbox is looking to get as much out of its existing stock and ramp down production.
Xbox-Exclusives No More
Probably the biggest sign that Xbox has devastatingly lost the vicious console wars is their exclusives. They’re not exclusive anymore.
Most, if not all, of Xbox’s exclusive titles are making their way to other systems, including their lifelong rivals, PlayStation. Halo, Gears of War, and Bethesda’s upcoming smash hits, including the highly anticipated Elder Scrolls 6, will all be on the PS5.
If a console doesn’t have exclusives anymore, what exactly is the draw to their console that they couldn’t get on a more populated platform?
Xbox’s PC Handheld Attempt
While not an indicator of leaving the console game entirely, Xbox’s recent attempt at the PC handheld market could be a sign of how their long-term strategy is gonna play out.
Last year, Xbox unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally & Ally X, two powerful PC handhelds that look fantastic when docked to a Steam Deck external monitor!
But the only thing that makes it ‘Xbox’ is the branding; it still only plays PC games & works like a Windows PC in a handheld form factor, not natively supporting Xbox’s console library.
This way, they can say they released a new “Xbox handheld”, but in fact, it’s essentially a reskin with a slight spec boost. This could be a sign of how Xbox will handle future console releases.
Xbox Game Pass’s Devastating Price Hike
Lastly, possibly the most damning piece of evidence was the infamous Xbox Game Pass price hike late last year.
In October 2025, Xbox Game Pass saw a steep price increase for the Game Pass service subscription, with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which had an insane 50% jump in price.
While it isn’t exactly an overwhelming sign they’re getting out of the console scene, it is indicative of their shift in strategy. Game Pass is Xbox’s money maker right now, and with dwindling console sales, it’s no surprise they needed to bump up the price somehow.
But this shift also came with a focus towards their Xbox Cloud Gaming service, which could be another sign that traditional consoles aren’t their cup of tea anymore.
A Shift In Strategy
The reality is, Xbox ain’t jumping off the console bandwagon just yet, but rather is taking a shift in strategy.
We know this thanks to Xbox and AMD’s partnership announcement, where we essentially got a brief road map at Xbox’s future.
In June 2025, Sarah Bond, President of Xbox, released a statement and video announcing the newly formed partnership, but with a few select choice words that could possibly spell the good (or bad) news about Xbox’s consoles.
Xbox + AMD: Powering the Next Generation of Xbox
The main takeaway here is that Xbox is literally gonna be a “Windows” console since they’re so set to “ensure Windows is the number one platform for gaming.”
“This is all about building you a gaming platform that’s always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices, anywhere you want,” said Sarah Bond, President of Xbox.
Most importantly, she mentions that upcoming Xbox consoles will “not be locked to a single store or tied to one device”, which lines up with what we mentioned earlier about Xbox Game Pass & Cloud Gaming.
This means that all future Xbox consoles wouldn’t run as a traditional console, but rather as a PC-console hybrid like the upcoming Steam Machine (both of which would look excellent on a gaming monitor).
We’ve seen a version of this with the ROG Xbox Ally X’s “Windows Full Screen Experience,” which was a controller-first user interface. It didn’t fully mitigate the horrors of navigating Windows on a handheld (or with a controller), but it was a good first step.
This could be what powers the next Xbox and is already available on Windows 11, and is coming to other Windows PC handhelds. But whether the console will be able to overcome the shortcomings of using Windows as a ‘console OS’ remains to be seen.
What We Think the Future of Xbox Could Look Like
However, even with the shift in strategy, we’re not sure if it’ll really pay off in the end.
Considering that previously Xbox-exclusive franchises like Gears of War, Halo, Bethesda titles, Forza, etc., are making their way to their biggest rivals, there’s not really anything drawing players over to Xbox.
They need a new “in”, something that keeps them standing out from the crowd.
We have no idea what this “in” could be right now, but it seems they’re heavily investing in and hoping their open ecosystem to be it.
Xbox gaming, no matter what screen you’re on.
Whether this is through a combination of Xbox Game Pass & Cloud Streaming, or with a more open ecosystem of hardware that seamlessly transitions from one screen to the next; this could be that new “it” factor they’re banking on.
When Can We Expect the New Xbox Console?
So, we’ve established that Xbox isn’t getting out of the console scene anytime soon, so when can we expect a new Xbox console?
Well, that’s the tricky bit, we don’t know.
Historically speaking, consoles have a vague life expectancy before the next-gen comes in. The PS4 was released back in 2013, and we only got the PS5 in 2020. That’s a 7-year run for last-gen, and by now, we’re in year 6 of the PS5’s life span.
Which means that theoretically, we should expect next-gen consoles sometime soon. Based on the latest info we know, though, the earliest it could be is late 2027.
But honestly, even that’s a stretch from our POV.
The current-gen consoles still run incredibly well, and there aren’t too many titles that can’t be run on these beastly consoles. Plus, when we’ve got mid-gen refreshes like the PS5 Pro on the table, it’s likely that a ‘next-gen’ Xbox console is still a ways off.
That said, the interesting bit is that 2026 is actually Xbox’s 25th Anniversary.
Which means it’s not impossible to see something new in Xbox’s console lineup. In our opinion, the most likely would be their very own Xbox gaming handheld, which may be revealed later this year.
Wrapping Up
So, will there be a new Xbox console?
Yes, but it probably won’t look like a traditional console at all.
Xbox isn’t totally abandoning hardware, but it is moving away from the old, tried-and-true console experience. Instead, Microsoft seems to be building a more flexible gaming ecosystem; one that’s centered around Windows, Game Pass, and cloud gaming.
Also, one that’ll work on any device you got, whether it’s a console, PC, or handheld, and that’ll look crisp & speedy on a 144Hz gaming monitor!
Instead of competing with the big dawgs, PlayStation and Nintendo, Xbox is looking to redefine what an “Xbox” even is. The next-gen may not be about a towering black box next to your TV, but instead having Xbox gaming & your library on whatever screen you choose.
And we’re not gonna lie, that approach is risky, especially without strong exclusives, but it does give Xbox a chance to carve out an entirely new lane.
A new Xbox is coming; just not the one most players are expecting.
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