A new report suggests that the next-gen Xbox Project Helix console is set to launch by Christmas 2028, and it could cost anywhere between $1,200 and $1,800.
That's according to a report from Fortune. According to the outlet's sources, a next-gen handheld device is set to be released "by the 2027 holiday season," with the main console set to follow in time for the 2028 holidays.
The report additionally suggests that Microsoft's internal projections suggest that the console will "cost consumers between $1,200 and $1,800," though Xbox could choose to subsidize some of that cost, taking a loss on manufacturing the device.
Fortune's sources also suggest that Microsoft's internal engineering deadlines for Project Helix have been moved up by several months, putting pressure on devs to get their work done faster, even if that means using AI.
Additionally, the outlet reports that there have been internal clashes between the Xbox and Windows teams at Microsoft over what software Project Helix should use. The Windows team reportedly wanted the upcoming handheld to use a version of Windows, while the Xbox team wanted to use custom software. To that part of the story, Sharma simply responds, "We can't build Helix on our own."
Sharma has previously described Xbox Project Helix as "a family of devices," but we have not gotten any official details on the planned hardware rollout or potential pricing. With current hardware manufacturing costs being what they are, analysts have been predicting $1,000 consoles for some time now, and these price tags are expected to have a major negative effect on the growth of the next-gen console market for both Xbox and PlayStation.
Meanwhile, Xbox's plan to lay off 3,200 developers continues. Fortune reports that 1,868 of those jobs have been cut so far, with more rounds of layoffs set to occur in October, November, and January.
