Microsoft registers Xbox Series XS trademark. Is there a third game console in development, digital like the Series S, but with the power of the Series X?
Last year, both Microsoft and Sony released a completely new game console. Or actually, two new game consoles. The Sony PS5 takes on the Xbox Series X. In addition, both companies have released a digital version, in the form of a Sony PS5 Digital and a Xbox Series S. Yet there is a clear difference between the approach of Microsoft and Sony. While Sony has provided the digital variant with exactly the same specs as the disk-drive model, Microsoft has chosen to make the Xbox Series S cheaper and less powerful than the Xbox Series X.
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Microsoft therefore owns the cheapest console. Where the Xbox Series S is sold for € 300, the PS5 Digital is available for € 400. The Xbox Series X and PS5 are both priced at $ 500. The question remains what the two companies have in store in the future.
Would Microsoft still see room for a comparable console like the PS5 Digital? With the power of the Series X, but the digital nature of the Series S? This line of thought stems from a remarkable trademark application from Microsoft.
Xbox Series XS game console from Microsoft
On December 29, 2020, Microsoft Corporation filed a trademark with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) for the Xbox Series XS designation. On January 4, 2021, the application was also included in the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Office). The trademark is categorized as Class 9/29/41, which includes game consoles among others. The description exactly matches the request for ‘Xbox Series X’ and ‘Xbox Series S’, which were already requested by Microsoft last year.
It remains to speculate why Microsoft has applied for this trademark. For example, the company could also use this designation to refer to the Series X and Series S together. Then you would expect at least a (slash) line between it, in the form of Xbox Series X | S – to avoid confusion. The company currently also uses this designation on its website.
This means that we do not consider it impossible that Microsoft has another surprise in the planning for 2021/2022. Is there a third Xbox Series in development, if so what will be the features of this game console? Will the Xbox Series XS be placed between the Series X and the Series S or is it an extra small variant, for example.
The existing Series S is already a remarkably small console, so we do not estimate that chance as much. Moreover, Microsoft already owns the cheapest game console. However, the large price difference of € 200 for the Series X and Series S makes it not inconceivable that Microsoft still sees opportunities here. By introducing a powerful console like the Xbox Series X, but without a disk drive. An ideal alternative to the PS5 Digital.
Finally, the boss of Xbox, Phil Spencer, has already indicated in an earlier interview that there are several variants in the pipeline. Still, it seems very early for yet another launch. But what is not can still come of course. For example, the first trademark application for ‘Xbox Series X’ was already registered in December 2019, almost a year before its launch.
The demand for both the new Xbox and the PS5 is still greater than the supply. In other words, the game consoles are simply sold out. The stock is gradually being replenished, but many orders already placed still have to be delivered.
Nevertheless, Microsoft will continue to work in the background to improve and expand its game console range. For example, a few weeks ago the company asked its Xbox users which controller functions they are still missing. This seemed to refer to the new one Sony DualSense controller with haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. It is possible that an extra Xbox controller will eventually appear with such functionality.
View the application here Microsoft in front of Xbox Series XS.
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