Microsoft To Launch Xbox Handheld in 2027 and 'Project Helix' Console in Late 2028
Microsoft's next-gen Xbox console, codenamed 'Project Helix', is reportedly targeting a holiday 2028 launch, with internal price projections of $1,200-$1,800. A new first-party Xbox handheld device is also expected sooner, by holiday 2027. Led by CEO Asha Sharma, this aggressive hardware strategy includes a potential overhaul of the Xbox Game Pass to an à.
Microsoft is reportedly accelerating its hardware strategy, with plans to introduce a new first-party Xbox handheld device by the 2027 holiday season, followed by its next major console, codenamed 'Project Helix', in late 2028. This aggressive roadmap, detailed in a recent Fortune profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, indicates a significant shift in Microsoft's approach to the gaming hardware market.
The most striking detail emerging from these reports is the projected cost of the Project Helix console. Internal estimates reportedly place its consumer price between $1,200 and $1,800 (approximately Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh), unless Microsoft chooses to subsidise the unit. This anticipated high price point is attributed to ongoing global component shortages, particularly in memory and storage, largely driven by the burgeoning AI sector, in which Microsoft itself is a major player. Lava Aura Curve 5G Price in India, Specifications and Features Revealed.
Project Helix: A Hybrid Console-PC Powerhouse
Project Helix, the successor to the current Xbox Series X and S, is envisioned as a hybrid console-PC system capable of running both Xbox console games and PC titles from various storefronts, including Steam and GOG. Microsoft has already confirmed that developer kits for this next-gen console will begin shipping to studios in 2027, with Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stating that Project Helix will "lead in performance".
Leaked technical specifications, though not officially confirmed by Microsoft, suggest that Project Helix will be a formidable machine. According to insider KeplerL2, the console's custom processor will be based on AMD's Zen 6 computing microarchitecture and RDNA 5 graphics, manufactured using TSMC's 3nm process technology and featuring high-speed GDDR7 video memory. The graphics processor is rumoured to boast 68 RDNA 5 units, delivering approximately 56 TFLOPS of performance, coupled with a 192-bit memory bus. The CPU configuration reportedly includes three high-performance Zen 6 cores alongside eight Zen 6c cores and a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI acceleration. This complex chipset design is also noted as a factor contributing to the potentially elevated retail price.
Xbox Handheld: A New First-Party Endeavour
Prior to the Project Helix console, Microsoft is reportedly targeting a holiday 2027 launch for a new, first-party Xbox handheld gaming device. Unlike the existing ROG Xbox Ally, co-developed with Asus, this upcoming handheld is expected to be a wholly in-house creation.
However, the development of the handheld has reportedly seen internal contention regarding its operating system. While the Windows team advocated for a trimmed-down version of Windows Home, the Xbox team pushed for developing dedicated software optimised for gaming performance. Reports indicate that Xbox is now largely directing the OS development, though collaboration with the Windows team continues. A senior Xbox executive even reportedly threatened to cancel the handheld project if the Windows build was imposed. The aim is to create hardware that allows players to seamlessly choose Xbox for mobile gaming experiences. Samsung Galaxy F70 5G Price in India.
Strategic Shifts Under New Leadership
These ambitious hardware plans come under the leadership of Asha Sharma, who took over as Xbox CEO on February 20, 2026, replacing Phil Spencer. Sharma has previously hinted at a "family of devices" for the next generation of Xbox, suggesting a diversified hardware portfolio to offer players more choices. The company is also reportedly planning a significant overhaul of its Xbox Game Pass subscription service, moving towards an à la carte model where users can select specific features, including add-ons for cloud gaming and multiplayer. This strategic pivot aims to make the service more flexible and potentially more affordable for a wider audience.
Disclaimer: AI tools assisted in compiling the foundational data and research for this report. The final content was reviewed, edited and verified by human editors at LatestLY.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 21, 2026 04:19 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
