Microsoft is planning to ditch the disc drive in the Xbox Series X console next year, instead offering gamers 2TB of internal storage for digital games.
As The Verge reports, the new console was accidentally revealed in FTC v. Microsoft documents, and the changes to the console go well beyond just removing the drive.
The all-digital Xbox Series X, which is codenamed Brooklin, will by cylindrical in shape and adds support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. The CPU will use a 6nm process making it more efficient than the current 7nm custom AMD Zen 2 processor, That in turn allows the power supply to be 15% smaller. One thing that isn't changing, though, is the price, which will remain at $499.
(Credit: FTC v. Microsoft)Alongside the console hardware refresh, Microsoft is introducing a new controller, codenamed Sebile. It will sport a two-tone color scheme, support Bluetooth 5.2 and direct connection to the cloud, and includes an accelerometer. The buttons and thumbsticks are quieter, and Microsoft is promising to offer "precision haptic feedback" and "VCA haptics double as speakers."
(Credit: FTC v. Microsoft)The all-digital Xbox Series X is listed as launching near the end of October next year. However, before then a new model of the Xbox Series S, codenamed Ellewood, is launching near the end of August for $299. This new model retains the 1TB of internal storage, but adds Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and a new low power standby mode. It's safe to assume the refreshed Series S will also use a more efficient 6nm CPU. The Sebile controller is also expected to launch earlier in the year at the end of May.
(Credit: FTC v. Microsoft)Shifting to an all-digital console line-up should boost Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions, assuming consumers are willing to spend $499 on a console they can't buy physical games for. For those unwilling to make such an investment, I suspect Microsoft will continue to sell the old Series X for a few months while it watches how well the new model is received.
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