Next Xbox Console: Everything We Know So Far About Microsoft's Next-Gen System

Nothing. Nothing is known.

All I want to know is whether or not it will have a disc drive. I’m not spending $300-$600 or whatever it will cost on a digital only paperweight that takes control away from me and gives it to Microsoft.

This gen is only really starting to get going now two years were basically lost over COVID look how much the Indiana Jones game raised the bar for what is possible in terms of graphics for series x!

Next gen... And here I am, still happy with Switch, hoping it gets just faster loading. What would a Series X2 machine change? Graphics have been serviceable for 10 years!

2026 Feels far to early and imo would be a kick in the teeth for anyone who bought into the series ecosystem expecting the standard generational cadence, especially when you factor in the diminishing returns of each generation.

Q4 2027 ready for christmas would be the earliest they should release imo.

I am glad to be an owner of an Xbox Series S, an it has outstanding performance for such a small Xbox. Small, but mighty. I've been wondering about Game Pass Ultimate. I mainly use Xbox Game Pass to play EA games like Star Wars Battlefront and Madden 22, but since I play those so much I am considering actually buying the games outright instead of renewing Game Pass, but it seems like even if I buy the game digitally, I still need Game Pass to play Online Multiplayer. Is this true? I need to know before I buy, because then I might as well just get Game Pass alone.

Great move to skip the mid-gen and release the next-gen in 2026 for the 25th anniversary of Xbox! With plenty of exclusive games at launch, and many titles that could be released during this period like Gears, Perfect Dark, Blade, it could be a hit. Especially if this console also allows playing games from other stores like Steam.

The first Xbox was released on November 15, 2001, which would make the next Xbox release in November 2026, just in time for the Christmas holidays and almost in 2027! So, in a little less than 2 years, it doesn't seem shocking to me since there hasn't been a mid-gen between the two!

It's not too early as some say, 6 years after the release of the Xbox Series X. which is already a lot. PS can afford to wait since they recently released a mid-gen.

I just don’t know why Microsoft are considering releasing another console since they are advertising that EVERY devise is an Xbox. It’s more than likely just so that they can tick the box for the Gamepass model, but I just don’t feel like it is going to be a good idea considering everything they are releasing is going to PlayStation in the future and that would make it extremely difficult to justify to users that they need an Xbox Console. I’ve bought every Xbox console up to now, but more and more it just feels like that ship has sailed.

The only way it's going to sell meaningfully is if it can play Steam games. If it's a traditional console in any sense, there's no reason for the current hardware and subscription numbers divebomb to stop thanks to their stated future of no exclusives, it will be DOA.

Thankfully, this isn't totally pie in the sky as Phil Spencer has directly floated the idea - something he absolutely would not say randomly.

@UserTK-421 Yes you will need gamepass In some form to play those games online.

@Bionic-Spencer An Xbox console is still an Xbox, why abandon it? And where did you see that everything was going to be released on PlayStation? Haven't you noticed that Xbox has more exclusive games than PlayStation? Just look at the lineup for 2024 and 2025. Xbox Everywhere mainly concerns PC, TV, cloud, handled consoles and mobile, but obviously not other consoles! Did you see a PlayStation in the "This is an Xbox" ad? No! Well, there's your answer! It's just the fanboys of the blue brand who hope that everything will be released on their beloved console, but the reality is quite different!

And the reason is very simple, Xbox has a real interest in releasing its games mainly where there can be Game Pass! No Game Pass on PlayStation, no Xbox games, it's simple. 99% of the games on PlayStation are mostly already multiplatform games, nothing more, and it'es already very profitable, and 99% of exclusive games have remained exclusive. Even Indiana Jones was planned to be multiplatform before the acquisition, it was Xbox that insisted with Disney to have at least a temporary exclusive.

Also, Xbox seems to have the same silly naming problems that Nintendo is famous for. They pick confusing names that mom and dad consumer don’t recognize. Series S or X? Xbox One? I know it’s boring how Sony does it, but even Grandma knows that PlayStation 5 is better than PlayStation 4 (theoretically) and is the new one to get. XBOX should just stick with a easy numbers system.

Due to all the constant issues, which seem to be on weekly basis, hopefully Microsoft are smart enough know what a huge mistake Series S, is and was, never to release another abomination like that, ever again.

It's funny that Sony marketed PS5 as the true next generation, compared to Microsoft's announcements about supporting Xbox One and the budget-friendly Series S (that Sony mocked), yet Sony has released so many paid remasters this generation.

The last true generation was Xbox One/PS4, but the current generation has given us the best quality of life features, performance and backwards compatibility. From now on, we are going to get optimised pieces of hardware to play PC/console games, exactly what Xbox One and PS4 started with their PC architecture. I think it's completely fine. The next Xbox will be a wonderfully engineered console that just plays games efficiently and will include the beloved controller with updated features. No need for anything else.

@Millionski Right but both hardware and gamepass numbers are rapidly falling in a world where the only thing that matters is growth, and that trajectory will continue without a major change. The Xbox userbase you're talking about keeping is currently fleeing.

@Millionski I am in agreement that 1year won't make much difference from a technical point. On that ground for me 2028 should be the next generation of consoles for both parties.

I do however think it makes a difference from an emotional standpoint. MS cutting their losses and trying to jump start the next generation early because they failed to meet expectations is a kick in your bits for customers who put faith in the series only for it to be cut short.

pc, xbox, cloud user base is already much more and will be even much more than playstation userbase. there are pros and cons on pushing games on other consoles, that's why Xbox don't push their games on other consoles, only already mulitplatform games basically. I would not bet on seeing fable, gears, halo, perfect dark, etc.... on other consoles anytime soon, not after a long period of exclusivity.

It's been 2 years that rumors have been saying that, and what has happened? Nothing except 4 small games! Just look at the reality instead of listening to rumors, 99% of multiplatform games were already multiplatform and 99% of exclusive games have remained exclusive. There are even multiplatform games that have become exclusive like Hellblade 2, which totally contradicts your point.

The level of engagement of the PlayStation player base is very low, just look at the poor sales of Final Fantasy or even Astrobot. They are mostly casual gamers who play one or two games a year. PC gamers, on the other hand, are much more active, as are Xbox gamers who have a higher level of engagement.

I’m amazed so many voting for 2026.
Let’s see what happens, but it needs to better than PS5 Pro performance and at what cost I might add.

Then again I’m still on the fence even with rumours and stuff, if they will release a next gen Xbox home console, especially after seeing Nov 2024 sales.

They probably will but only because they have over 50% GP subs on Xbox console and are sort of forced into another console and if they didn’t those GP subs will probably go.

The trouble with Microsoft and Xbox is they need to understand in the current status those that want an Xbox console about 30 million have one and there are not many sales left to gain and those that want GP have it as well, never mind terrible cloud gaming and adding it to all devices. There are billions of devices that you can have GP on and taking Xbox consoles away about 15 million subs if lucky on billions of other devices. Terrible attachment rate.
This is not for now cloud gaming and stop pushing cloud crap gaming down our throats.

What they need to get is more console sales and GP subs is amazing exclusive games and some out of this world advertising and PR.

Else console sales will sink lower and so will GP subs. Mark my word and watch it happen.

@OldGamer999 "it needs to better than PS5 Pro" loooool, It's not going to be very complicated given the disaster of this mid-gen.

You're wrong about the consoles; the big difference is that the Xbox ecosystem is much closer to the PC. They can easily attract PC gamers who might consider an Xbox console or a portable Xbox as a second gaming option. This is not the case with PlayStation, which is in a much more closed environment.

Moreover, you shouldn't focus on console sales; you should look at the MAU (Monthly Active Users), and the MAU of PlayStation players is very low in comparison. Many people buy a PlayStation out of habit but end up playing very little on it.

I've been saying 2026 for over a year now, as you well know, @OldGamer999. What I have also said, since the release of the Pro, is that the 'Prime' needs to be better, in every regard, than that console is, and that means that the 'Prime' will be an premium product, not intended for the majority of Xbox gamer to buy.

Let's face it, the Series X is a very, very capable console, and for the vast majority, that will suffice. That is why I think that Microsoft will release the 'Prime', but also continue to make the Series X. Games will play best on the 'Prime', but perfectly well on the X. The 'Prime' will only ever be intended for the true enthusiast. It won't be about the number of consoles sold, but about having a console that truly defines the very best place to play games.

I also think that Sony will not seek to better the 'Prime', and instead they will look to develop the PS6 with the intention of outperforming the Pro (and of course the X), but whilst keeping the cost at, or just below, the cost of the Pro.

I think with Microsoft pursuing a much more multiplatform approach, that consoles are no longer their primary objective. I think they will see all bases covered by having a premium console ('Prime') for the enthusiast, a more mass-market console in the X, which will be where most gamers play within the Xbox ecosystem, and then a handheld.

When it comes to games, Microsoft will probably say that as a new generation has started, that the parity clause between the S and the X is no longer applicable, effectively leaving the S behind, and that games will have 'Prime' enhanced logo if they feature elements such as 4K, 120htz and Ray Tracing etc.

Too many gamers will have built up a large library of games for them to now swap to the other side, and Microsoft know this (and indeed have said so). Thus, Microsoft know that the best thing they can do is hope to retain their console userbase, and to offer them a console that really differentiates itself from any competition that Sony might offer...

@Millionski They're rapidly losing that 50M marketshare. They will not sell 50M consoles this generation. Series sales were already bad up until 2024, about even with the Xbox One. Then you saw what happened to sales in 2024 after they made it clear they're going multiplatform, right? There is no more "business as usual." Sentiment in this brand could not be lower. Changing to something completely new (PC game support, a handheld, something) is their only chance now.

There is no world where they release an Xbox Series X part2 next gen and it sells over 25 million units.

And while the Series X was sold for massive loss ($200 right from the mouth of Phil Spencer), there's zero evidence that the Steam Deck is sold for a loss at all.

@Millionski loool ! cod, doom and ow2 are already multiplatform for years before the acquisition of the studios, there was nothing new!

I'm right when I say that you're basing your arguments on nothing but false rumors. There aren't more games going to PlayStation, that's totally false! It's just that Xbox now has 3 times more studios than PlayStation, so they naturally have more multiplatform games than before but also more exclusive games than before for the same reasons!

If you look closely, there are more former PlayStation exclusives going to Xbox than the other way around: Crash Bandicoot / Spyro / Death Stranding (the sequel will follow the same path even faster) / Persona 3 Reload / Sifu / Kena / Forspoken / Metal Gear Solid HD Collection /Final Fantasy VII /Kingdom Hearts /MLB The Show /Nioh / etc...

Most of them are third-party games, but most of PlayStation's exclusive games are third-party, and they have fewer and fewer exclusive games because third-party publishers are less and less willing to create games for a single console (except for small studios). And most of these exclusive games are temporary !

Xbox has only sent 4 formerly exclusive first-party games, nothing more! When you look at Death Stranding, for example, there is no Xbox game with that level of popularity that has been sent to PlayStation. The reality is that there are more former PlayStation exclusives on Xbox than the other way around, these are just facts, not rumors, prove me wrong.

That's fine. I've already jumped back to PC where my current build will likely outperform the next two generations.

And my wife gave gave up on Xbox because of the abysmal support and releases since most of the things she likes skips Xbox, or she already played a year or more ahead of the Xbox release, on a different platform.

@fatpunkslim
Microsoft owns Crash and Spyro.

Nothing else you listed is owned by Sony.

None of Sony's first party games, or 2nd party like Helldivers, are coming to Xbox.

@InterceptorAlpha an exclusive is an exclusive ! Death stranding on mind of many players is playstation ! There is no difference ! you mention crash and spyro, and the other games ? So i'm right there are more formerly exclusive playstation games on xbox than the other way around ! You haven't proven the opposite, and it's impossible because it's just a fact and cold truth.

@Fiendish-Beaver
I definitely up for a bit of Prime, possibly.
Let’s see it happen first and finally see their true intensions with multi platform games on PS5/6 and Switch 2.
As for 2026 I still not sure, but hey time will tell.

The issue I see if they go full multi platform on PS5/6 or Switch 2 especially day one, it will definitely cut Xbox console sales which will lead to reduced GP subs and at some point there has to be a point where investment in new Xbox development and start up manufacturing costs becomes a negative to the whole process.

@fatpunkslim ummm you seem to be missing Indiana Jones is going to PS. You know, that 1st party release some consider to be game of the year.

The majority of titles you listed are IP by studios MS bought. None of them compare to the example above or the other examples already given.

@fatpunkslim
I only focus on consoles sales as console development and manufacturing start up costs will be high and at some point in the whole Xbox universe and process there possibly could be negative return on that console investment taking everything into consideration.
Then questions would be asked at board meetings, is this Xbox console really worth the negative return on investment taking everything into consideration.

I for one want Xbox prime but still won’t believe it until I see it.

@Weebleman Still wrong! Indiana Jones was never exclusive; it was already planned to be multiplatform before the acquisition. It was even Xbox that insisted with Disney to have a temporary exclusive, which proves that Xbox wants to maintain a certain level of exclusivity contrary to what some think!

Most of the games I mentioned don't belong to Xbox at all, since when? Kena, Sifu, Forspoken, Death Stranding, etc...

@Fiendish-Beaver
Also why I don’t trust Microsoft with Xbox in the UK right major retailers are running out or very low of series x and s consoles.
Currys UK no stock x or s in store or online.
Smyths toys zero series x stock in store and online. Running very low of series s stock
Argos low on delivery of series x stock
I mean what arse of a company lets this happen and we think they want to sell consoles or even a next generation console.
It’s looks like they can’t manage a bit of stock let alone anything else.
Remember this a trillion dollar company that have let this happen, and definitely intentionally.

@fatpunkslim An exclusive is not an exclusive.

That's why people though Helldivers was coming to Xbox because they didn't understand the concept of first and second party games.

Only 3rd party will ever drop on Xbox.

@fatpunkslim mate, I've seen your nonsense on other sites and I already regret this interaction. Enjoy your day and all the best for the new year.

@fatpunkslim careful with all those goal posts moves now.

@Millionski
I wish I had your optimism.
But I think maybe another home console.
Remember a real home console with full power on board not some hybrid you need cloud power etc. I still think they might try that on.
I do agree and only due to Xbox console subscriptions they are forced into another console generation.

@fatpunkslim
I used to think like you about major Xbox franchises being Xbox group only.
But I’m not to sure now, but I hope you are correct.

@Millionski
What age groups is the gen z and alpha.
I know a very wide range of ages.
Young nephews age 5 to 10 have Switch and PS5 at home.
I know a few 20 to 29 that have consoles Xbox, switch and PS5 my son and daughter and older nephews are a good few.
This is in UK, which is a good console gaming country.

@Millionski Game pass lost 8% of its subscribers from the FTC trial numbers to what Sarah Bond said this year, how is that getting stronger? It needed to triple in size to hit their goal and its already shrinking (significantly).

Link me something with the Gabe interview saying they take a bath on Decks, I'm willing to believe it but I haven't seen anything like that.

Whenever it does release let’s just hope they only release one console and not include some kind of parity nonsense to tie into the Series generation of hardware

Given the ”Everything is an Xbox” thing MS is pushing I dont really care about the next Xbox as I’ll get to play the games without one and might as well just get a Playstation and a Switch 2.

@8bit4Life
At this point they must be running out of unusual names. Pehaps they could have a total reset and go with... Xbox Six. Then it's clear that it's a gen ahead of PS5. Kinda makes sense too:

1) XBOX
2) XBOX 360
3) XBOX ONE
4) XBOX ONE X*
5) XBOX SERIES
6) XBOX SIX (and maybe XBOX SIX Portable)

*It was almost a generational leap over an underpowered console and came later too, whereas the two Series consoles released at the same time. They managed to skip numbers with Windows by claiming an update to Windows 8 was basically Windows 9, Win 8 was followed with Win10.

Do it MS, make it clear for the parent in the street.

Honestly. Who cares. Spencer has pretty much killed the Xbox brand under his "leadership". His predecessor was incompetent, but Phil... <shakes head>. With no exclusives, buying a dedicated Microsoft console no longer makes sense. Just build/buy a mid tier PC and if you need a 'console', Nintendo or Sony will happily take your money.

@fatpunkslim PS4 attracted an ocean of casual players because of Xbox One being 100 more expensive, quite bigger and launched as a multimedia device, and because of Wii U's failure on the market.

Despite what some users are telling you, it's true that the costumer engagement on PS is very low compared to Nintendo and low compared to Xbox. In 2024 Q2, 6.8% of the software sold on PS5 was first-party, generation average is higher, but still low. This is important to acknowledge because the number of consoles sold, used as metric for Sony's success this generation, only matters for Nintendo this generation, since they don't publish games on other platforms and their subscription is just for playing games from the 80s and 90s.

After the ABK acquisition and considering their whole revenue, Xbox is ahead of Sony, that also has a long term debt (2024-09-30) of $175.98B, when its company value is just $106.90B. The big picture -and not shipped hardware- is what matters and tells us why Xbox has a bright future ahead.

Microsoft is the most important publisher now (behind Tencent) and their financial circumstances are all favourable. The engagement of Xbox players, Xbox console players included, is high in terms of sales and premium subscribers. The image of Xbox being dead spread by some fans of other platforms is completely unreal. 99.99% of console players don't post anything on gaming sites. Anyone can see that we get 100 comments at best under the most popular articles and that the same users are writing most of those comments on all the sites.

@Banjo- Thank you Banjo, finally a lucid and constructive comment. It's crazy how many fanboys of the other console come here to complain. Taking only the raw number of consoles sold without considering the MAU (Monthly Active Users), engagement rate, average revenue per player, etc., makes absolutely no sense in business terms. It's just hot air used by fanboys to reassure themselves in the face of the lack of first-party games from their beloved brand.

@Millionski no info on steam deck being sold at a loss when I did that search, you'll have to do better.

Doom is day 1 on playstation which is going to continue to hurt Xbox and its subscriptions badly, as it completely annihilated sales in 2024.

@Millionski Here's an example, so you know where the bar is set:

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/26/microsofts-phil-spencer-gaming-somewhat-resilient-to-weak-economy.html

"Microsoft subsidizes the cost to the tune of $100 to $200 per console, with the expectation that it will make the money back on sales of accessories and storefront purchases, he said."

Like it or not digital is the future. Personally I'm happy to not have physical disks cluttering up my space.

@Banjo- this times 100,000. Great comment.

@Balaam_ I'm all on board for digital only, even if it's just a sku. I have been digital only on console and pc for years. There's no simpler way manage, and keep your library.

Very tame for me.
But I shall chill with my series x and enjoy the games for the next two years or so and see what pops up when it arrives.

It's too soon for articles like this. Next to nothing is known about the next-gen Xbox. We can only speculate.

@FraserG Sorry but is there ANY reason to keep speculating on hardware that it’s at least 18 months away if it even ends up existing?

I’d rather have Xbox fan sites questioning Microsoft what the hell is going on with Xbox Series X|S stock worldwide…

Next gen is gunna be something special I think. MS will come out the gate swinging with something very innovative, feature competitive, and top level, despite what some people think. That's my thoughts on the matter.

@Millionski Only time will tell but I've got a good feeling about next gen. I think it's going to drop a lot of jaws. Between what we know about hardware (console, controller upgrades, handhelds etc.) I envision a strong gen coming.

So here's what we know:

• 4k
• 120fps
• full ray tracing
• 8k gaming ready
• 1 TB

@Kilamanjaro 1TB is a death knell for a console in 2026/2027/2028.

Minimum 1.5tb but more than likely 2tb for the base SSD. Games are consistently becoming larger and larger.

I'd hope we get a 1tb for handheld and 2tb for console. With a higher tier console with a 4tb SSD. Especially in 2027 or later.

It will probably launch with Fable in 2026.

@FraserG It's popular because the title reads "Next Xbox Console: Everything We Know So Far About Microsoft's Next-Gen System". The content isn't popular; the (sorry, but it is) click-baity title is just doing its job.

PC for me starting with TES6.

@FraserG I mean, you can disagree, but you just made my point for me. You're titling an article "Next Xbox Console: Everything We Know So Far About Microsoft's Next-Gen System", knowing full well there is basically no information to report. What available information there is can be boiled down to:

1. What Is The Name Of The Next Xbox Console?
We don't know.
2. What Has Xbox Said About A New Console So Far?
That there will be one and it'll supposedly be "the largest technical leap".
3. Are There Any Rumours About The Next Xbox Console?
Loads, but who cares? They're rumours and therefore not information.
4.Will We Get A 2025 Release Date For The Next Xbox Console?
We don't know.
5. What Kind Of Price Will The Next Xbox Console Be?
We don't know.

I get it. We've been here before. You "have to cater to what the audience wants", blah blah blah. But this is a clickbait article and you know it. Saying you'll add to it as the months and years go by? Then write the article in a few months or a few years, when you actually have information to report on.

@FraserG Of course people are going to click on something claiming to inform them about the next Xbox, because they think the article is going to inform them about the next Xbox. Which this article doesn't do. It takes bugger all information and stretches it out into something that could've been summed up in a few lines. Catering to the audience and baiting them in with things you know full well they'll click on aren't the same thing.

My main issue with this is that it's detrimental to actually reporting on actual news, talking about games or reviewing games. Every nothing burger article like this takes time away from reporting on or writing about things that are actually interesting or relevant. I'm not sure how many times PX needs to be told this.

@FraserG and I think I'll give up on getting actual news, information and reviews here. 👍

@kuu_nousee I hope it's 5 TB to be honest. For their next gen console I think the games will have to be massive so 3 TB minimum is a good starting point.

I also just reposted the original Xbox Series X specs. They should at least put out one 8k game to meet their 2020 promises 🥲

Welcome to this month rehash of last months articles ,Must have pages to fill.

What Is The Name Of The Next Xbox Console?
We don't know yet.
What Has Xbox Said About A New Console So Far?
Pretty much nothing.
Are There Any Rumours About The Next Xbox Console?
Tons of them, they're all bunk.
Is Steam Coming To The Next Xbox Console?
We don't know yet.
Is The New Xbox Console Coming Out In 2027?
We don't know yet.
What Kind Of Price Will The Next Xbox Console Be?
We don't know yet.

Here, guys, saved you a lot of time.

@IronCrow86 totally agree, we're only starting to get games that use the series X capability. "Biggest technical leap" .....yeah right,

I like the name Prime but it does make me think Amazon, Transformers and the drink…

PS5 dropped the ball this generation so hopefully next Xbox makes up for it.

Some of these comments didn’t age well hahahah

At this point I feel the question "how will Xbox consoles distinguish themselves from PC?" is the biggest issue facing Microsoft with the Xbox brand, and this isn't meant as a criticism, it's just unclear how Microsoft is going to answer that question.

for full back compat , it needs to be with a disc drive, whether the new generation of games will use the disc drive is another matter of course.
but if you have Xone / Xbox series disc games you need a disc drive.

who knows what it will be , but i feel physical media on the new system will be a non starter, and for that matter I wont be jumping in.
Good luck to those that do.

It’s going to have a just horrrible name like The Xbox or something like that

Very good and properly updated guide. They should name it Xbox Magnus. In hindsight, Series was a terrible name.

I've long been expecting the next Xbox to basically be a consolised PC with some form of compatability layer for backwards compatibility. With future Xbox games all being PC but with maybe fixed performance profiles for this and the handhelds. I also suspect the Gamepass changes have been in preparation for dumping the subscription requirements for online play, as you can't really charge for that if you can just play the Steam version on the same device.

I know that next gen PlayStation and next gen Xbox will be powerful, beautiful and etc..BUT PLEASE MICROSOFT DO NOT PUT ANOTHER STUPID NAME ON IT!!! Make it simple and do not use names like: Xbox Ultra Mega Edition 2.5

Do you think the rumoured price part needs to be updated with the figures floating around following the Magnus article, @FraserG? In that article the price was suggested to be between $800 and $1200.

I wasn't aware of the Magnus article until today, and had already said that bearing in mind the price of the Series X, and the suggested capabilities of the PCBox, it will cost at least £800, so I can easily see these quoted figures as being in the right ballpark...

From listening to what MS has said about the next Xbox and from what Sony has said about the next Playstation it seems that MS is closer to being ready to launch the next Xbox before the next PlayStation. MS had great success with the Xbox 360 which launched before the ps3 so I think they want to copy the success of the Xbox 360 and launch before the next Playstation console. My opinion is that all the recent moves like dropping all TV and movies, changing the game pass system, changing the rewards system and launching the Ally Xbox are all in preparation for the next Xbox console. My opinion is that once Xbox has made all the changes they want to the Xbox console the Xbox Series 2 will launch. The Xbox Series X is selling for $650 -$800 when available and my guess is that the Xbox Series 2 will launch at around the $800 - $900 price point.

I would guess this is a strategic leak to counter recent rumours

Definitely time for me to return to my PC gaming roots for the next gen. Straight into the TV, wireless everything, Steam big picture. This whole generation has just been a bit anti climactic so just feels like it's time for something new.

What I know about that new Xbox is that Microsoft made sure I will not buy another Xbox with how goofy their handing of the brand has been.

To further add, all their Windows 11 BS has made me migrate to Bazzite. Even gained quite a few frame.

What's wild is if I knew I was gonna eat better gaming performance on Linux instead of Windows, I'd have moved sooner.

I don't expect any subsidized console would be able to play Steam games. Who would then buy overpriced games for consoles if anyone could play huge library of Steam games that are being sold for peanuts (especially older games)?

It's more likely that it will be the other way round: a variant of a standard Wintel PC sold for a full non-subsidized price that would able to play games from the Xbox library. It would be an option for players who own a library of Xbox that would compensate that no new generation of a specialized Xboxes will be released.