Microsoft Projects $1,200–$1,800 Price for 2028 Project Helix Console

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.