Talking Point: Will The Next Xbox Console Be Revealed In 2026?

It will be revealed on CES 2027 at the earliest, or maybe GDC 2027. If Xbox 6 targeting November 2027.
Xbox doesn't need to launch next gen as soon as possible. At the moment, they need to produce Xbox Series as much as they can and extend Xbox Series production until 2030. And Xbox consoles need to expand to new regions too. Xbox can't grow if stuck only sold at 41 countries. PC Game Pass already supported on 86 countries. Xbox consoles need to reach at least 70 countries

My Game Pass Ultimate sub expires in the beginning of April, so I’ll be thinking over options. I’m highly considering selling my Series X and PS5 getting a Steam Machine, because I don’t want to pay $30/month, and I’m also just not a fan of Microsoft’s business decisions and consumer hostility as of late. But if the next Xbox is basically a PC, is it a better choice to wait for that than going all in with Steam?

So many decisions.

@AccessibleDaydream Seriously don't buy a steam machine. Too expensive for what it is, especially with the new Xbox coming out next year — it’ll do far more than a Steam machine. And above all, you’re taking a big risk that steam machine won’t be supported anymore, Some time later, and that it ends up being a huge flop like their last attempt ten years ago.

We really don’t need new hardware. The Series X is more powerful than anything on the market, has a flawed but still solid library and the best online service if they would reverse the price increases.

Cancel all 3rd party ports, make amends with the gutted first party studios, focus on creating smaller AA games to increase their output and lower risks, lower the price of the base Series X to $450, and fire the CEO and MS can slowly become the best platform again.

Also the Series S should probably be lowered to $200-$220.

Maybe they'll reveal a snippet of its form factor this year, but beyond that I doubt it. As for specs and other capabilitie(?), personally can't see it but it's Microsoft we're talking about here😁....

@AccessibleDaydream if you truly want the openess of a pc, an existing xbox library and the possibility to subscribe to gamepass from time to time, wait for the next xbox or get a pc. If you want more of a console experience and a steam library, you can get a steam machine. Im not expecting any of these options to go under 800$ at this point, but you get rid of the paywall for online, cheaper games, Ps games coming to PC, etc.

I don't think I'm interested in a new-gen console, no matter if it's Microsoft, Sony or whatever. At least not right now.
I think we'll still be getting games for this one for like 4-5 more years.

I think we’ll get a verbal description of the machine’s capabilities, but no actual pictures or even a CGI depiction will be shown. I suspect it’ll see a 2027 launch and we’ll get images shortly before that time (not counting factory leaks which may or may not happen. But probably will).

2026 is way too early. Sometimes I feel like this generation hasn't even started.

The inevitable delay may actually be a blessing in disguise. We don't need a new console...

As excited as I was to get my Series X at launch, mostly for NVME load speeds, I feel the thing came in too soon. I know it feels odd for older people but I think 10 year console cycles are ideal. 3D capabilities are just not evolving fast enough to justify generational jumps any faster.

Does XBox even matter anymore in the console space? If you can play XBox games “anywhere” why buy an XBox and limit your options. When I bought my series X I made the choice between console ecosystems. For me, it was a big purchase. A few months later XBox changed their strategy and I have regretted buying it ever since. Sure it’s a powerful console, but I definitely won’t recommend anyone buy one.

@Fiendish-Beaver I agree with everything you've said here. The only thing I'd add is that if the Steam Machine is still on target for this year, that could also be a factor in pushing the demand for the hybrid XBox PC aside even further. While it sounds like it won't be as high spec, the Steam Machine will certainly be cheaper, and if it arrives in the immediate future it could fill the hole for those interested...and not to mention it'll have access to all the XCloud games too.

Maybe XboxPC could just be an OS. That way they don’t even have to bother with RAM or hardware at all

For me don’t need much info not specifications.
I just want to know what it is and does.
Are we playing series x games on cloud only or native downloads to the new device.
Are we not getting Xbox games as such but PC versions downloadable.
Do we have tinker those PC game versions for best output.
Are we getting windows PC games only or Steam etc.

So many unanswered questions, what is the future shape taking for the next generation Xbox device.

Instead they leave us hanging on a thread and publishing mainly now day one to PS5, which PS5 is ok, it’s more what is this new Xbox device.

The real question should be will anyone care?! No other multi platform publisher makes a console, why start now

@fatpunkslim Lmao how can you say it’s too expensive and recommend waiting for the next Xbox when we don’t even know the price or launch window for NEITHER of them?

We also don’t know the actual features of that Xbox/PC device, how will it run the console library, performance levels, how much of that performance will be eaten up by the bloatware of Windows 11, how much tinkering you’ll have to do to play, the price, if it’ll be available globally or even going to launch at all, at least with Steam you know you’re getting into a solid platform unlike Microslop’s Windows and Xbox PC app.

It would be a fitting announcement for the 25th anniversary, even if they're light on the actual details.