Microsoft projects $1,200-$1,800 price range for 2028 Project Helix console

Microsoft’s upcoming "Project Helix" gaming platform is expected to include a handheld device by the end of 2025 and a new console slated for the 2028 holiday season. Fortune reports that internal projections place the console’s launch price between $1,200 and $1,800, though the company could subsidise the cost for consumers, as has been done with previous consoles.

The projected price would be higher than recent generations, reflecting broader industry pressures such as slower advances in semiconductor performance and shortages of AI-driven components. For comparison, the Steam Machine this year started above $1,000, the PlayStation 5 Pro, released two years ago, now retails for $900, and the six-year-old Xbox Series X begins at $750.

Within Microsoft, there are disagreements over the handheld’s operating system. Some executives favor a streamlined version of Windows Home similar to last year’s ROG Xbox Ally, while others prefer a custom OS managed by the Xbox group. According to sources, a senior executive warned that the handheld could be cancelled if forced to use Windows, prompting the Xbox team to assume primary control of the OS direction, though CEO Asha Sharma says the two groups continue to collaborate. The company is also reportedly accelerating hardware timelines by several months, leveraging AI tools where possible.

Fortune cites sources saying Xbox Game Pass will transition to a more tiered, a-la-carte model, allowing subscribers to select specific add-ons for console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer, a shift from the current all-inclusive plans.

Microsoft executive Judson Althoff responded to speculation about Sharma’s role, stating, "We would not have put [Sharma] on a business we intend to sell. There's going to be a ton of speculation about all this. Time will tell."