Project Helix could cost consumers $1,200 to $1,800, but that range is an internal projection rather than a confirmed retail price. Fortune’s October 20 profile, citing people familiar with the matter, places Microsoft’s next console in the 2028 holiday season and its next-generation handheld in holiday 2027.
Microsoft could subsidize some manufacturing costs, though no decision has been reported. In the U.S., the 1TB disc-drive Xbox Series X launched at $499 and now costs $799.99, after rising from $649.99 on August 1, 2026, as Microsoft raised prices on its current consoles. Microsoft has also said console storage and memory prices have increased by more than 2.5 times, and expects further Xbox price increases in 2027.
The new timing adds dates to Xbox’s earlier plan for a console-first device family with portable play. At GDC in March, Microsoft said developers would begin receiving Project Helix hardware in 2027, according to event coverage. Asha Sharma’s March statement said Helix would play Xbox and PC games, but gave no consumer launch window or price.
A March 2026 estimate based on Xbox’s past hardware cycles placed Project Helix in fall 2027, but it was not an official schedule. Holiday 2028 is not a delay from an announced consumer launch date.
Microsoft has partnered with Asus on the ROG Xbox Ally, but the maker of its next-generation handheld remains unclear. The device could follow a partner-built model or be made entirely by Microsoft. A June 2025 account said Microsoft had effectively canceled an earlier first-party handheld effort.
Internal engineering deadlines have moved forward by several months, leaving developers less time to finish work, potentially with AI assistance. Fortune also describes a possible Game Pass overhaul that would let subscribers choose features à la carte, including console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer, rather than buying one bundled plan. Sharma was planning layoff rounds in October, November, and January, though those plans could change.
Handheld software was another point of friction. The Windows team favored a reduced version of Windows Home, while Xbox wanted custom software tuned for gaming performance. A senior Xbox executive threatened to cancel the handheld rather than use the Windows build, and Xbox has since taken control of the device’s operating system. Sharma said, “We can’t build Helix on our own.”
Would the internal price range change your expectations for Project Helix before Microsoft confirms a retail price? Follow Xbox’s console, handheld, and Game Pass plans as they develop on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
