Microsoft Positions Next-Gen Xbox as “Premium” Experience Following $1,000 Handheld Launch
Microsoft is framing its next-generation Xbox console as a “very premium, very high-end curated experience,” according to comments made by Xbox chief Sarah Bond.The statement arrives shortly after the release of the Asus ROG Ally X, a Windows-based handheld gaming device priced at $1,000.
This positioning suggests Microsoft intends to differentiate its core console offering from the increasingly crowded handheld market and potentially from competing consoles. Earlier this year, reports indicated Microsoft is targeting a 2027 release for its next-gen Xbox, envisioning a platform more akin to a PC, supporting storefronts like Steam, the Epic Games store, and GOG.
Bond’s comments align with previous statements emphasizing a broader gaming ecosystem. ”This is all about building you a gaming platform that’s always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device,” Bond said. She further underscored the company’s collaboration with the Windows team, aiming to establish Windows as the leading platform for gaming.
Currently, the Xbox Series X 2TB Galaxy special Edition is available for $799.99, an increase of $70 from its previous price of $729.99.
