DEVELOPING STORY · TECHNOLOGY
Microsoft Projects $1,200–$1,800 Price for 2028 Project Helix Console
CURRENT STATUS
Active · revision 3 · last updated October 20, 2026 at 11:30 PM
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LATEST MATERIAL CHANGE
What changed?
Microsoft’s upcoming Project Helix is slated for a 2028 holiday release, with internal projections placing the console’s starting price between $1,200 and $1,800. The company plans a dual‑release strategy, launching a next‑generation handheld by the end of next year before the full console. Fortune reports that Microsoft could lower the price if it chooses to subsidize the cost, a tactic used by past console makers. The high price reflects broader industry trends: the slowdown of Moore’s Law and shortages of AI‑driven components have made cutting‑edge gaming hardware more expensive. For context, the Steam Machine recently surpassed a $1,000 starting price, the PS5 Pro now sells at $900, and the Xbox Series X starts at $750.
Why it matters
The projected price signals a shift in the console market, indicating that future gaming hardware may become less affordable for consumers and could reshape competitive dynamics.
TIMELINE
Previous updates
Revision 2 · Source update detected
Revision 1 · Initial ingestion
LINKED SOURCES
Ars Technica · Kyle Orland · Discovery only; Condé Nast copyright terms apply