Microsoft is set to make a significant change to its Xbox console lineup next year, as it plans to release an all-digital version of the Xbox Series X. This move was accidentally revealed in documents related to the FTC v. Microsoft case. The all-digital Xbox Series X, codenamed Brooklin, will not feature a disc drive but will offer gamers 2TB of internal storage for digital games.
Aside from the removal of the disc drive, the new console will bring other improvements. It will have a cylindrical shape and support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. As for its CPU, it will utilize a 6nm process, making it more efficient than the current 7nm custom AMD Zen 2 processor. This increased efficiency allows for a 15% smaller power supply. Interestingly, the price of the all-digital Xbox Series X will remain the same at $499.
Accompanying the console release is a new controller called Sebile. The Sebile controller will feature a two-tone color scheme and support Bluetooth 5.2 and direct connection to the cloud. It will also include an accelerometer, with quieter buttons and thumbsticks. Microsoft is promising to offer “precision haptic feedback” and “VCA haptics double as speakers” on this new controller.
The all-digital Xbox Series X is expected to launch in late October next year. However, before that, a new model of the Xbox Series S, codenamed Ellewood, will be released in late August for $299. This new model will retain the 1TB of internal storage found in the previous Series S console, but it will include added features such as Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and a low-power standby mode. It is likely that the refreshed Series S will also utilize the more efficient 6nm CPU.
The transition to an all-digital console lineup is expected to drive subscriptions for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. However, it remains to be seen whether consumers will be willing to invest $499 in a console that solely supports digital games. Microsoft is likely to continue selling the previous-generation Series X console for a few months to gauge the reception of the new all-digital model.
Definitions:
– Wi-Fi 6E: The latest generation of Wi-Fi technology, offering faster speeds and increased capacity.
– Bluetooth 5.2: A wireless communication standard that enables connectivity between devices over short distances.
– CPU: Central Processing Unit, the primary component of a computer that carries out instructions of a computer program.
Sources:
– The Verge (source article)
