Microsoft Developing Next-Gen Xbox Console: What Can We Expect?

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Microsoft has officially confirmed the development of the next-generation Xbox console, dismissing rumors of hardware cancellation.

Xbox President Sarah Bond stated that the team is 100 percent committed to creating something new in the future.

This confirmation comes after much speculation about the direction of Xbox's hardware strategy, particularly following changes to Xbox Game Pass.

Bond confirmed that a prototype of the console has been spotted and is in the design phase.

“I can tell you you’re right that the next-gen console is going to be a very premium, very high-end curated experience,” Bond told Mashable this week.

“You’re starting to see some of the thinking that we have in this handheld, but I don’t want to give it all away.”

Sarah Bond described the next-generation console as a "very premium, highly advanced, and curated experience."

Promising the "biggest technical leap" ever in hardware history, the next-gen Xbox console is expected to redefine gaming standards.

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer also emphasized the importance of hardware as an integral part of Xbox's overall strategy.

Xbox president Sarah Bond appears to confirm that the next-gen Xbox will be a hybrid PC + console. “The next-gen console will be a very premium and high-end curated experience. You're starting to see some of the thinking we have in this handheld…” https://t.co/ff39FR0Sai pic.twitter.com/iOvzY1KcT7

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) October 21, 2025

Xbox apparently has big ideas for its next generation, with plans for a seemingly hybrid PC/Console experience where gamers would be able to access their Xbox and PC libraries like Steam from their couch. But it'll be costly. https://t.co/2sJPJGs7Nv pic.twitter.com/jzIbNM5U8i

— IGN (@IGN) October 22, 2025

Bond hinted that the development of the next-generation Xbox console was influenced by the ROG Xbox Ally handheld.

This has fueled speculation that the new console will adopt a "PC-console hybrid" or "more PC-like" approach than the previous generation.

The console will likely run the Windows operating system, which will enable support for third-party stores like Steam and the Epic Games Store.

Phil Spencer has previously hinted at the possibility of other digital stores on Xbox consoles in the future, expanding the choice for gamers.

This strategy reflects Xbox's vision of building a gaming platform that is "always with you," allowing players to play across devices without being locked into a specific store or device.

Microsoft has entered into a multi-year strategic partnership with AMD to engineer silicon for various devices, including the next-gen Xbox console.

This collaboration is expected to produce components highly optimized for gaming performance, demonstrating Microsoft's commitment to hardware innovation.

A leaked document from 2023 revealed that Microsoft was considering using AMD Zen 6 or ARM64 CPU cores, as well as AMD's Navi 5 (RDNA 5)-based GPUs.

The console is also expected to include a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI, opening up new opportunities in machine learning.

Microsoft promises "next-level performance, cutting-edge graphics, breakthrough gameplay, and unmatched compatibility" with the new console.

The ultimate goal is to deliver "the biggest technical leap you've ever seen in a hardware generation," which will transform the way we play games.

Leaked US court documents from 2023 indicated Microsoft's initial plan to release its next-generation console in 2028.

However, more recent rumors indicate a late 2027 or early 2028 release window for the next-gen Xbox console.

Given the implied "premium" nature, some analysts are predicting a high price, with one estimate reaching $1,200.

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer and President Sarah Bond have reiterated Xbox's commitment to hardware development, viewing it as a "critical part" of Xbox's strategy.

The next-gen Xbox console will be fully compatible with the existing Xbox game library, ensuring players don't lose access to their favorite games.