Industry Insider Shares Insights on Rumored Release Timeline for Next Xbox Console

Gamers who have been eagerly waiting for the next wave of Xbox consoles might finally have some insight, as an insider suggests a release date as late as 2026. Although the current Xbox generation boasts significant power, it hasn’t quite hit the sales targets expected by Microsoft. This shortfall seems less about the console’s capabilities and more about Microsoft shifting its attention to other parts of its gaming ecosystem rather than focusing solely on their core console.

There’s a noticeable drive from Microsoft to explore the handheld gaming market, evident by their transparency regarding the development of an Xbox portable device. This shift, along with making their exclusives available on competing platforms, has been perceived as a major factor in the console’s lukewarm performance. Though logically aligned with Microsoft’s grand plan to expand their gaming reach, these moves do leave some wondering how dedicated they remain to traditional gaming consoles.

A tweet from The Ghost of Hope suggests the upcoming Xbox could be called “Xbox Prime,” launching by late 2026. However, any such information is not corroborated by Microsoft and has been dismissed by Windows Central’s Jez Corden, who simply tweeted, “It’s not true.”

Looking back, Microsoft has openly acknowledged its stumble in the console race against giants like PlayStation and Nintendo. Nevertheless, Xbox isn’t bowing out of the competition yet; the next-gen Xbox could demonstrate their renewed commitment. Nintendo’s handheld successes clearly haven’t gone unnoticed by Microsoft, as they increasingly focus on the Game Pass streaming service and potential handheld expansions.

The current Xbox Series X/S’s sales haven’t just lagged behind Sony and Nintendo; they’ve slipped compared to previous Xbox versions. But as rumors circulate about a new, more powerful system in the works, there’s hope for a course correction.

With first-party titles sharing the stage with other platforms, the urgency for gamers to purchase an Xbox console diminishes. As Microsoft’s focus drifts away from the Xbox hardware and pivots towards Game Pass and handheld innovations, their user base might find even fewer incentives to stick with conventional consoles. However, with the resources at Microsoft’s disposal, there’s plenty of room to shake things up. Should they execute their strategy wisely, this could set the stage not only for a comeback but also resurrect the fierce console wars of yesteryear.