Microsoft to launch its next big Xbox console in 2028, handheld coming soon

If you are waiting to buy a new Xbox, you might need to start saving your money now. According to a new Fortune profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, Microsoft's next-generation gaming console, known as "Project Helix," is targeting a launch during the 2028 holiday season.However, the biggest shock is the price. Internal projections suggest the new console could cost anywhere between $1,200 and $1,800, which translates to roughly Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh.Here is everything we know about Microsoft's upcoming gaming devices, including a highly anticipated handheld console.A New Xbox Handheld is Coming in 2027Before the massive Project Helix console arrives, Xbox fans will get a new portable device to play with. Microsoft is planning to launch a next-generation Xbox handheld by the 2027 holiday season. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma has shared that the next generation of Xbox will not just be one machine, but a "family of devices" built for different types of gamers. To make this happen, Microsoft will partner with third-party manufacturers, similar to its past work with Asus on the ROG Ally, to create these new portable systems. The new handheld is being designed specifically to give gamers a smooth, console-like experience while on the go.Why is Project Helix So Expensive?A price tag of $1,800 is incredibly high for a gaming console. The main reason for this massive price jump is the current Artificial Intelligence (AI) boom. Right now, AI data centers are buying up huge amounts of computer memory and storage. Because of this intense demand, the manufacturing costs for essential computer parts have skyrocketed. Unless Microsoft decides to subsidise the cost (sell the hardware at a loss), this high manufacturing cost will be passed directly to the buyer.To justify the price, Project Helix is being designed as a high-end hybrid device that can easily run both Xbox and PC games. Under the hood, Project Helix is expected to leverage AMD’s next-generation FSR Diamond upscaling technology, which AMD says is intended to push next-generation gaming performance and visual quality further.Big Changes Coming to Xbox Game PassAlong with new hardware, Microsoft is also planning a major update to its software. Reports claim that Xbox Game Pass will be changed into a flexible, " la carte" tiered model.Instead of forcing users to pay one flat fee for everything, the new Game Pass will let players pick and choose only the features they actually want to use. This means you could choose specific add-ons for console-only games, multiplayer access, or cloud streaming.While a Rs 1.5 lakh console might sound scary, Microsoft still has time to finalize the exact pricing. For now, gamers can look forward to the new Xbox handheld expected to arrive in 2027.- Ends