Show Notes
Microsoft plans a 2027 handheld and 2028 Project Helix console, but skyrocketing memory costs could push prices between $1,200 and $1,800.
Could the next generation of console gaming cost as much as $1,800? In this episode, we unpack the major revelations from a new Fortune report on Microsoft's Xbox division under CEO Asha Sharma. Microsoft is preparing a new family of hardware codenamed Project Helix, starting with a next-generation gaming handheld targeted for the 2027 holiday season, followed by a flagship home console in late 2028.
We analyze why surging component and RAM costs—driven by the AI boom—have pushed internal cost projections for the Project Helix console to an unprecedented $1,200–$1,800 range unless heavily subsidized. We also examine internal turf battles between the Xbox and Windows software teams over the handheld's operating system, upcoming tiered overhauls to Xbox Game Pass, strategic partnerships with AMD, and what this massive pricing shift means for the future of living room gaming.
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This episode includes AI-generated content.
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