Insider reports reveal the next-generation Xbox, codenamed Project Helix, may launch at $999 or higher, with costs potentially reaching $1,500 due to advanced AMD RDNA 5 architecture.
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New details have emerged online about the pricing of the next-generation Xbox, codenamed Project Helix. According to Tech4Gamers, citing insider Moore’s Law Is Dead, the console is almost certain not to launch below $999. Otherwise, Microsoft would have to sell the device practically at cost.
The source claims the theoretical minimum price point is around $999. However, without aggressive subsidy strategies, the cost could approach $1,200 or even reach $1,500. Estimates suggest the next-generation AMD graphics chip based on RDNA 5 architecture alone could cost about $550. Add roughly $200 for memory and around $100 for the processor, and you already have a high base cost for the device.
Microsoft is making a serious bet on Project Helix. Some analysts believe that if the new console fails, it could call into question the company’s future in the traditional gaming hardware market. Even if the new system is 30–40% more powerful than the anticipated PlayStation 6, that doesn’t guarantee dominance—many gamers may stay within Sony’s ecosystem or switch to PC.
From a technical standpoint, Project Helix promises a significant leap: ray-tracing performance could increase up to 20 times compared to the Xbox Series X, while the RDNA 5 architecture is expected to deliver about a 65% boost in power per compute unit. However, these ambitious specs may come with an equally ambitious price tag.