Project Helix reportedly launching in late 2028, projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800

Project Helix, Microsoft's next-generation Xbox console, is set to launch in late 2028 according to recent reports. The console is projected to cost between $1,200 and $1,800, with deadlines moved up by several months to expedite development. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma emphasized the importance of efficiency and affordability alongside performance in the console's design, stating that AI will be used as a tool for engineering and performance issues, not for AI's sake.

Sharma also revealed that Xbox is planning a next-gen handheld device for late next year and a Game Pass overhaul. As of July 2026, Xbox Game Pass subscribers were less than 50% of the original target, and Sharma admitted that the company had bet on Game Pass and a broader portfolio of content, but the growth was not as expected.

The company's core business has weakened, leading to additional teams, investment, and time in hopes of a better outcome. Meanwhile, Microsoft's commercial business CEO Judson Althoff stated that Asha Sharma is one of the best leaders at the company and that Xbox is expected to remain an important part of Microsoft for a long time.