Microsoft has massive plans for the fourth 12 months of the Xbox Sequence X/S, primarily based on new leaks from the Federal Commerce Fee’s failed court docket struggle to dam the corporate from buying Activision Blizzard in June. Along with a revised Sequence S, the tech big can also be planning a cylyindrical, disc-less replace to the extra highly effective Sequence X, full with a brand new controller that includes higher haptic suggestions.
The knowledge, which is at all times topic to vary previous to merchandise really delivery, was buried in unrelated files uploaded by the Northern District Court docket of California and is a part of an enormous trove of unredacted paperwork. A method roadmap for the Xbox model via 2030 factors to the deliberate launch of the Sequence S refresh (codename Ellewood) and Sequence X refresh (codename Brooklin) in late 2024 alongside an all-new Xbox controller (codename Sebile).
Primarily based on the leaked paperwork, the brand new variations of the consoles will retain their present $300 and $500 value factors respectively, however supply plenty of upgraded options. The brand new Xbox Sequence X will by a cylindrical form and don’t have any disc drive both, suggesting Microsoft may very well be heading to an all-digital future. Whereas it would retain the identical 16GB ram and 12 teraflop specs as the present launch console, it would have 2TB of inner storage as an alternative of 1TB, sooner Wi-Fi 6E help, Bluetooth 5.2 radio, 15 % much less energy consumption, and a USB-C port on the entrance.
The brand new controller, in the meantime, might be two-toned and include a rechargable and replaceable battery. Extra importantly, Microsoft’s inner technique paperwork declare it would supply precision haptic suggestions, quieter buttons and thumbsticks, and an accelerometer. The controller may also apparently activate just by selecting it up reasonably than pushing a button. It can seemingly be priced at $70.
Based on the roadmap, the controller will arrive in Could, adopted by the Sequence S refresh in September and the Sequence X refresh in November. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer had previously instructed Bloomberg and others in interviews all through the summer season that the corporate was not engaged on any substantial energy improve to its present consoles previous to the following {hardware} technology, which leaks recommend is at the moment deliberate for 2028.
Sony, on the opposite hand, is reportedly at the moment engaged on a PlayStation 5 Professional. It’s nonetheless not clear what the specs of that machine is perhaps. The PS5 at the moment seems to be outselling the Xbox Sequence X/S two to at least one. A majority of present Xbox homeowners have thus far opted for the less powerful Series S, nonetheless. New knowledge launched as a part of the FTC trial places it at roughly 75 % in comparison with 25 % for the Sequence X.
