Xbox Next-Gen Helix Console Could Cost Up to $1,800
Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox hardware, codenamed Project Helix, could cost consumers anywhere from $1,200 to $1,800 at retail, according to a new report from Fortune Magazine profiling Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, as detailed by Eurogamer. The figures represent internal Microsoft estimates for the unsubsidized price of the hardware, and they mark a significant jump from where Xbox pricing stands today.
Two Devices, Two Launch Windows
Project Helix is not a single console. Eurogamer reports that the platform will ship as two separate products: a handheld unit and a traditional living room box. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma had previously described Helix as a family of devices, and the Fortune report confirms that framing in practice. Gamekult also covered the reported timeline, which has the handheld launching first during holiday 2027, followed by the main under-the-TV console during holiday 2028.
| Device | Type | Target Launch | Estimated Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Helix (Handheld) | Portable | Holiday 2027 | $1,200 – $1,800 |
| Project Helix (Box) | Home Console | Holiday 2028 | $1,200 – $1,800 |
Why Prices Are This High
The eye-watering estimates are not entirely out of step with broader trends in the consumer electronics market. According to Eurogamer, a global shortage of AI-driven memory and storage components has pushed the cost of electronics up sharply across the board. That same pressure has already forced Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo to raise prices on their current-generation hardware multiple times since launch. The Xbox Series X, which debuted at $500, now retails for $800. The budget-oriented Series S has climbed from $300 to $500. A Helix console priced at $1,200 would represent a 50 percent increase on top of what consumers already pay for a Series X today.
Internal Conflict Over the Handheld’s Software
The hardware pricing is not the only tension surrounding Helix. The Fortune report, as covered by Eurogamer, describes a significant internal dispute between Microsoft’s Xbox division and its Windows team over what operating system the handheld should run. The Windows team pushed for a stripped-down version of Windows Home, while the Xbox team advocated for purpose-built gaming software to get the most out of the hardware. The disagreement reportedly escalated to the point where an Xbox executive threatened to cancel the handheld project outright. The operating system situation for the main box console remains unclear, though it has been described as a bridge device capable of running both Xbox and PC game libraries.
Neither Microsoft nor Asha Sharma has publicly confirmed any of these figures or timelines. All details should be treated as unverified until an official announcement is made.
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