Overview
- A Fortune profile published Tuesday, October 20, 2026, says internal Xbox projections put Project Helix at roughly $1,200 to $1,800 unless Microsoft accepts losses on each unit to subsidize the retail price.
- Microsoft is reportedly targeting a next‑generation Xbox handheld for the 2027 holiday season and a home console under the Project Helix name for the 2028 holidays.
- People briefed on internal discussions told reporters the Xbox team and the Windows group have clashed over the handheld’s operating system and that Xbox is largely directing the software approach.
- Executives are considering changes to Game Pass that would let customers buy tiered or à la carte features such as cloud streaming, console-only titles, and multiplayer to help generate revenue for hardware affordability.
- Suppliers and internal leaders cite global shortages and rising costs for memory and storage as the main drivers of higher prices, a dynamic that could keep next‑gen console costs elevated and push Microsoft to use financing, subsidies or new subscription levers to protect consumers.