Updated

A Fortune profile of Xbox CEO Asha Sharma, published around October 20, 2026, reported that Microsoft's next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, could cost between $1,200 and $1,800 unless subsidized, with a targeted 2028 launch. The report also mentioned a new handheld device expected to arrive before Helix, potentially as soon as next year. GameSpot and IGN both covered the leak, noting that platform holders sometimes absorb hardware costs and recoup losses through software and services, suggesting Microsoft's final pricing strategy remains uncertain. The figures sparked widespread discussion about affordability heading into the next console generation.