Xbox Series X Discounts: Microsoft Targets Xbox One Owners with “Just For You” Deals
Microsoft is offering substantial discounts on the Xbox Series X, primarily targeting owners of the older Xbox One console in the United States, in an effort to boost sales and regain market share. The move comes after a period of price increases and as Sony’s PlayStation 5 continues to dominate console sales.
The discounts, delivered through Microsoft’s “Just For You” program within the Microsoft Store app, vary significantly, ranging from 17% to 50% off both disc and digital versions of the Series X. Some users have reported seeing the 1TB, Robot White, disc-less model reduced from $600 to $300, according to reports on Reddit.
These price reductions represent a significant shift for Microsoft, which raised the price of the Xbox Series X from $599 to $649.99 in late 2023, following an earlier increase in May 2023. The company attributed these increases to challenging macroeconomic conditions. Similar price adjustments were also implemented in European markets.
The timing of the discounts coincides with a period of declining Xbox sales, while the PlayStation 5 has seen continued success, particularly during holiday seasons. According to TechRadar, the PS5 continues to impress with its controller, load times, and exclusive games.
The discounts are being offered to a select group of Xbox One owners, with eligibility appearing to be based on factors such as subscription status, length of time as a customer, and past purchase history.
The move follows comments from Asha Sharma, Microsoft’s Gaming CEO, emphasizing the importance of consoles to the company’s future strategy. Microsoft’s Project Helix, which aims to maintain compatibility with Series X|S games, suggests a commitment to the current hardware generation. Although, Project Helix is also rumored to be a hybrid system running on Windows, a direction that has drawn some criticism from those who question whether console users will embrace a system resembling a gaming PC.