Xbox Project Helix Pricing Estimates Could Reach $2,000
- Project Helix might be priced between $1,200 and $1,800, with a total estimate nearing $2,000.
- The new console will include a traditional box and a handheld device, with the latter expected to launch in holiday 2027.
- Internal disagreements between Xbox and Windows teams over the handheld’s operating system have emerged.
The anticipated pricing for Xbox’s next-generation console, known as Project Helix, could exceed initial expectations, with estimates approaching $2,000. This projection is based on a comprehensive profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma published by Fortune Magazine.
According to the report, Xbox’s internal pricing estimates range from $1,200 (~£900) to $1,800 (~£1,345). This figure reflects what Xbox anticipates the console will cost consumers, excluding any subsidies.
Project Helix is described as a family of devices that will include a traditional home console and a handheld model. The handheld Helix is projected for release in holiday 2027, while the main console, designed for use under a TV, is scheduled for holiday 2028.
Despite the potentially shocking pricing, these estimates are not unaligned with industry predictions. A global shortage of AI-driven memory and storage has significantly impacted consumer electronics prices, contributing to price increases for consoles from Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo since their respective launches.
The Xbox Series X, which debuted at $500/£450, now retails for $800/£670. Meanwhile, the Series S, originally marketed as an affordable entry-level console, currently costs $500/£430, up from its initial price of $300/£250. Should Helix launch at $1,200, this would represent a 50% increase over the current price of the Series X.
Furthermore, the report unveiled a notable divide between the Xbox and Windows teams regarding the operating system for the handheld Helix. The Windows team proposed a streamlined version of Windows Home, while the Xbox team advocated for specialized software aimed at optimizing gaming performance.
The disagreements reportedly escalated to the point where an Xbox executive threatened to halt the handheld project altogether. The operating system for the primary Helix console remains uncertain, as it is intended to serve as a hybrid platform capable of running games from both Xbox and PC.
News Courtesy of Eurogamer
