Microsoft's Vision For Xbox: Next-Gen Consoles By 2028, Mid-Gen Refresh In 2024

Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) plans to release successors to the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles by 2028.

That's according to court filings related to the failed Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) attempt to block the Activision Blizzard Inc (NASDAQ: ATVI) acquisition.

In a transcript from a May 2022 meeting, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella discussed the company's "plan for 2028," considering whether to stick with a single main platform or explore a range of specs like those seen on PC.

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The company appears to be leaning toward a combination of both approaches. According to Axios, corporate VP Kevin Gammill wrote: "We have already started this journey with Xbox One and Xbox One X, furthering it in Series S | X."

"We need to be even more flexible going forward with gen 10, but also provide the ability for creators to take advantage of unique hardware capabilities," Gammill added.

This suggests that Microsoft will likely continue its multi-model approach, with the Series S being a more affordable but less powerful option compared to the Series X, similar to Sony Group Corp's (NYSE: SONY) PlayStation 5 lineup.

In addition to Microsoft's plans for the next-generation Xbox consoles by 2028, there are indications that the company is preparing for a mid-generation refresh of the Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, as reported by IGN.

Leaked documents from the FTC reveal that the upgraded Series X console, codenamed Brooklin, is set for release in October 2024, and it will be a digital-only console with a distinctive cylindrical design.

Brooklin is expected to offer 12 teraflops of power, 4K resolution, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage. Microsoft plans to market this console as sustainable, with reduced power supply usage and recyclable packaging.

Meanwhile, the Xbox Series S will also receive a mid-generation refresh code-named "Ellewood," scheduled for release in August 2024. It will come with 10GB of RAM. Microsoft is reportedly planning to announce both "Ellewood" and "Brooklin" around the summer of 2024.

Despite these leaks, it's important to note that Microsoft has not officially announced these mid-generation refreshes, and Xbox chief Phil Spencer recently stated that there's currently no need for such updates.

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Photo by Kamil S on Unsplash