This is Microsoft’s new disc-less Xbox Series X design with a new controller

Microsoft’s mid-cycle Xbox Series X refresh has a whole new shape

[Workshyskiver]

Looks like a Sonos speaker. I like it but wonder if it has a stand or a way of sitting horizontal.

[Eonjay]

I know we are biased by the angle but it look like it just sits vertical. The price at $499.99 looks like a combination of cost saving (down to 6nm) and they brought back up with 2TB although I expect that Microsoft comes out the winner here overall. Another plus is the is the reduced power draw and improved controller. No real 'power' advantage over the original unit. Microsoft said no refresh so that was a lie. This may not be more powerful but it is clearly a refresh and ultimately if you are in the market for one I would wait until next year.

How does Sony respond to this? Microsoft is predicting the PS5Slim is launching at $399. Does this peg the Pro at $499. Also, the picture comparison makes the New X look really strikingly small.

[Workshyskiver]

Sony are releasing their new refresh model later this year, its not really a big difference from the current model but has the parts going through compliance testing now. Refresh doesnt always mean a Ps5 Pro or Xbox One X style improvement.

[VenomUK]

The Verge’s Tom Warren with the ‘scoop’.

[darthv72]

The look and shape of the system is interesting... im looking forward to more info on the controller improvements.

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

A refresh often means a reduction in size, less parts, or improved efficiency, like a slim model, it's more like Series X 1.2 or 1.5, and that's fine. Not really surprised they made a disc less model, I'm more surprised that it took them this long to put one on the market.

I'm not a fan of the shape, but there's only so many ways to make a box, it really does look like a Sonos speaker and could probably blend in with one.

[Zeref]

They were talking about a midgen upgrade. This is just a redesign.

It's not a lie lol.

There's no midgen upgrade planned

[darthv72]

MS said no mid gen upgrade... they never said no refresh. Pretty much all consoles go through some sort of design change in their time. The OG xbox did not get one as they pulled the plug on it after only 4 years otherwise it was going to get one to reduce its overall size. They instead focused on the 360 that was coming out.

what caught my eye was how they will offer XDL versions of this new X. Using the xbox design lab to make a custom themed series x would be so cool. I have a few of the controllers from them.

[1Victor]

I wonder what Xbox fans here will say now that the new controller ditched the battery for a new rechargeable one.
In any case welcome to the 21st century Xbox controller 🥰

[Workshyskiver]

I'd rather they had kept the battery system they had. Much better to just buy a couple of charging packs and swap them out when they needed changing for me personally.

[thesoftware730]

My Elite 2 has a rechargeable battery, that lasts for 40hr+ of gaming.

All my standard Xbox controllers have (sold separately) rechargeable batteries. I also have rechargeable AA batteries that can be used with them. I never heard anyone complain about Xbox batteries. That was a Sony problem; thier controllers have not so great battery life.

[darthv72]

It says rechargeable and swappable. Which is pretty much the same as now. User replaceable is always a better choice than built in. Basically they dropped the Duracell for a play and charge kit.

[babadivad]

Not sure anyone cares.

[InUrFoxHole]

I'd rather have the option for batteries but also hope it lasts longer than 3-5hrs

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Congrats, now they use rechargeables like everyone else, the only other solution might be to make it so that it takes both swap-able batteries and a rechargeable like the 8 Bitdo Pro 2 (I love that controller).

[wiz7191]

@Ivictor I mean anybody with common sense would have went out a bought rechargeable batteries , didn’t the 360 have a rechargeable battery pack ?? lol it’s good for them to finally include one out of the box

[vikingland1]

It's always better to be able to easily change batteries. Remember the good ol days when it was fairly easy to change batteries in our phones? It's the same thing here, options are good.

[VincentVanBro]

Been using an Elite controller w/ the best rechargeable battery life in the industry for like 7 years now lol try to keep up

[autobotdan]

Rechargable and RESWAPPABLE. Its different than Playststion. It might still have a option for AA batteries

[Smellsforfree]

Old controllers didn't come with any battery. Rechargeable is an option for the end user. Also, I value replaceability.

[CobraKai]

Brought back memories of my 360 rechargeable battery pack. It would burn out in a few months to a year. I like being able to use rechargeable AA batteries.

[ThinkThink]

I would prefer they keep it as is as well. I like the option to swap out rechargeable AAs.

[fr0sty]

The controller is interesting... they basically copied the DualSense, but I still see no mention of haptic triggers (only haptic feedback, DS has both) or a gyro sensor, only an accelerometer. I do really like the concept of external rechargeable batteries, though.

[tbagmonster]

replaceable is the key word there

[Sonic1881]

What about the Xbox elite 3 controller

[Duke19]

I actually think it looks pretty slick. Much better than the current square block imo.

I hate digital only consoles though with a passion tho

[shadowT]

Haptic Feedback! Finally the new Xbox Controller can compete with the PS5 Dualsense.

[Stanjara]

The more consoles use haptics, the better haptics will become and have more support.

Finally Xbox will address stupid AA battery controller.

The best thing that they do at the moment... make controllers.

[Abear21]

They are a great hardware company they just suck at innovating because it’s all about cost and margins. There are so lttp with these features it’s comical. And let me guess, the standard SSD and haptics are optional for devs to use but that Series S version is still ball and chained to the X. Yup, good ol M$

[Rude-ro]

Really?
Because their trash elites say otherwise.
Looks/feels great…
I have yet to have one last more than 6 months.
And I know, the “mine has not had a problem” people will say something..
But the courts say otherwise by forcing longer warranties on Microsoft.

[PhillyDonJawn]

I wont be using haptics. Effects skill and a battery drainer. I'm sure this will still take AA. It says swappable recharge battery. So it look like the play and charge kit is included which is compatible with AA. There's nothing stupid about AA controller. It's more convenient than a built in battery. Once the battery has reached its life you just replace it with a new rechargeable AAs vs getting a whole new controller or have to ship product.

[crazyCoconuts]

I'm surprised they're adding such major features mid-gen. Sony made such a big deal about mandating DualSense for PS5 games and I think they push for each game to make use of it.
Introducing this mid-gen creates fragmentation - will be interesting to see how MS encourages game devs to make use of it despite there being a small % of users with the controllers, at least out of the gate.
Better late than never i guess, but copying PS years later in the middle of the gen... jeez... i don't know

[darthv72]

Xbox has always had haptic feedback. Go look up what haptic feedback is also known as. There are different levels of feedback from basic rumble to more reactive and resistive. Its all called haptic feedback.

[tbagmonster]

by the time this releases they could of added resistive as well

[Charlieboy333]

But Xbox disciples said it is just a gimmick and waste of time. Are the excited now that Xbox is copying Sony's controller haptics ( and gyro ) as well?? Is it suddenly going to be game changing for them now??

[VincentVanBro]

I'm stoked that my Xbox and Ps5 will have parity there finally

[crazyCoconuts]

if this actually happens it still wouldn't be parity fwiw. The trigger magic that the DualSense does isn't here for example. That's creating variable resistance on the triggers.

[VincentVanBro]

@crazyCoconuts, right but I was responding to a post about just the haptics, I'm just glad Xbox is adding support for higher quality haptics similar to what is offered on Ps5. I absolutely LOVE the Ps5 controller, despite the bad battery life.

[purple101]

I present to you: the trashcan

[Seraphim]

here I thought it was a beer can.

[purple101]

Apple tried it and got ridiculed..

Now m$ trys it, sorry but it's their turn

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

Actually, it kinda looks like my automatic air freshener.

[Jin_Sakai]

A $500 trash can that is.

[Eonjay]

My only issue with this is that they are ditching the Drive and moving to a cheaper process but aren't really dropping that price. It should be $399 like the disc-less PS5. Also there doesn't seem to be a modular attachment like with PS5Slim. If they discontinue the current model, then thats a wrap for Xbox physical media.

[Jin_Sakai]

Agreed. It makes no sense. PS5 digital is $399 while Series X digital is $499. Talk about a rip off compared to the competition.

[darthv72]

It drops the optical in favor of double the storage.

[babadivad]

Funny

[FinalFantasyFanatic]

It goes next to the fridge they made, right?

[purple101]

Yes we have fridge, now air purifier, just need a radiator to complete the set.

[Terry_B]

* the trashbox

[sagapo]

Nice to have a 2TB SSD.

[CrimsonWing69]

Wish they offered that with the model I bought…

[mooreneco21]

Microsoft do something original…..no wait, true to form copying other companies ideas!

[JusttJD0099]

Uhm, they ARE doing something original.
They are not buying companies over for this and actually do it themselves...

That is a first...

[wiz7191]

@moore damn what until you find out the whole industry copies off each other lol even Sony …

[Santouryuu]

"now adorably all digital"
What do you mean adorably?
Couldn't they come up with something better??
Even if you are pro all digital, this is a disaster of a line, be honest.

[SICKINDIVIDUAL]

Very odd.

[Profchaos]

Now all digital and more profitable now bend over and take our original 2013 vision

That's the first thing that comes to mind

[Hofstaderman]

And it's shaped just for that! Cylindrical for easy insertion.

[UltimateOwnage]

Exactly. The fact that Sony launched with a digital only model with the same performance as their disk model but a slimmer profile was a good move for the industry. If MS had done the same at the start the Series S wouldn’t still be hampering developers. Instead they make this disk free version seem like their premium product and it’s really showing their hand - goodbye disk and physical copies, just like they always planned.

[OneLove]

Probably because of how compact it looks. Like a mini version of something.

[CrimsonIdol]

I hate everything about this. most noteably that there doesn't appear to be an option going forward for a version with a blue ray drive

[boing1]

Hey, Alexa! Alexa!! Aleeexa!!! Oh... And we were laughing that PS5 looks like a router. This one looks like a part of mesh network.

[Profchaos]

It really does it screams tp link deco to me

[Workshyskiver]

Still looks far better than the PS5 though, I really hope Sony can release a neater smaller PS5.

[Abear21]

Honest truth though, yeah it ugly, but PS5 is an otherworldly design

[darthv72]

You know... this will fit right in with my PX50 network.

[EasilyTheBest]

I think it looks great. The new controller sounds good too.

[Flawlessmic]

This is a pretty massive leak, it's got xbox road map till 2030.

Going off that, the gen 10 console looks to be arriving in 27-28 so this gen has a long way to go atleast.

[Eonjay]

It means we got a fair ways to go and that the games at the end of the gen should really stand out simply due to the time devs will have had to perfect them.

[Profchaos]

That may be the most routery looking router I've ever seen it's basically a black TP-Link deco

Also controller looks high quality really comparable to a duelsense now but it's also super ugly

[darthv72]

Now I wish tp link made black decos. I love my setup but if I got this X then I may have to paint at least one of my decos to match.

[Gabrielmpf]

Not getting the console itself, but the controller looks like a true improvement, so I'll definitely get it when it's available separately.

[Gabrielmpf]

LOL, not getting the console because I already have a Series X, and this one isn't a big improvement. Someone already mad downvoting thinking I was dissing Xbox... smh

[Elit3Nick]

I don't think you're getting downvoted for dissing Xbox, I think it's because you're praising the controller

[CantThinkOfAUsername]

It's a particularly good option for those who want Dualsense features on PC without the hassle.

[Vits]

The largest advantage is the modular sticks and the swappable battery.
That alone makes it worth the purchase if you are looking into a controller. The haptics are a nice bonus, but very few studios actually use them and the accelerometer definitely has more uses and can be easily mapped into any game. But still, something that I imagine most PC players don't use.

[I_am_Batman]

Interesting that the Series X refresh will be on TSMC's N6 node even though it's scheduled to launch late 2024. I would've expected it to be on N4 by that time. Just for comparison, the PS5 has been on N6 since the launch of the CFI-1200 model last year. It's worth noting that N6 offers backwards compatible design rules for N7 (which was what current gen consoles launched on), so it might be that Microsoft just didn't want to invest into porting the SoC design to 5nm based nodes (N5/N4).

Another thing that caught my eye in the leaked document is the "all-new southbridge" and the "extra IO lanes". This sounds like the new model might support the full PCIe4 x4 speed, which would potentially double the current Series X SSD bandwidth.

[purple101]

So, the the same speed as ps5.

This should have been the norm since the start instead of holding back half a generation of third-party games tying them to the constraints of having 4gb lower ram in sx.

[Hofstaderman]

Same price without a disc drive and likely going up against a ps5 pro. MS is clearly delusional, suicidal and dumb AF. This is what they SHOULD have released instead of the S in the first place.

[sagapo]

I can agree that releasing this over Series S would have made more sense, but nothing wrong with the price imo: no disc but 2TB SSD instead of 1TB with SeriesX.

[ChasterMies]

“Same great price of $499” probably sounded good 3 years ago. Microsoft really does see the Series S as the replacement for the mid-cycle, cheaper, slim model. Just ridiculous over-confidence from Microsoft.

[Aloymetal]

"MS is clearly delusional, suicidal and dumb AF.
Phil and Co. know their hardcore fans will fall for this so this is all by design and it's called tripple dipping...Get series S, then get the X and now this discless cylinder, only way MS could reach those 40-50 mil units sold😅

[Stanjara]

Do really Xbox owners buy games at all?
I think this is perfect and should have been the one console from the start.

[darthv72]

It has 2tb of storage... thats more $$ than the optical drive is worth.

[andy85]

Adorably all digital? Ugh. Stop supporting this it gives them such a monopoly. 2TB is nice though. Thing is if the rumours are true it'll end up going up against a PS5 Pro, which very likely won't be any higher than 499, have a disc drive and be far more powerful.

[gold_drake]

we went from speaker to air moisturiser to amazon/sonos speaker.

those designs man haha

bad news for physical games going forward unfortunately.

so they're going to want to replace the new with the old ultimately. i dont know if thats a good idea.

but apparently they're game sales are more digital than physical, so i guess it makes more sense. still a bad trend

[Hypertension140]

According to this, the new model is supposed to replace the series x not exist along side it like the ps5 /digital. The the hell are they thinking, I hope the fans dont support this crap.

[ChiefofLoliPolice]

A all digital system...even if I was a hardcore Xbox fan that's a hard pass for me. Same with the Digital PS5. I'll always prefer physical console games.

[anast]

This is strange. It's like they have a bunch of junk product laying about. I can't think of any other reason for Xbox to be doing this instead of making games.

[ocelot07]

We have the Xbox mini fridge now we getting the Xbox mini bin?

But in all seriousness this is what they should of had when the series X released. Not the series s.

[Vengeance1138]

So Phil outright lied again that there would be "No mid-cycle refresh as the XSX is the refresh" ? Series S is the standard?

[Stanjara]

Did you really believed that?

[__SteakDeck__]

@Vengeance1138 This doesn’t have more power though.

[Vengeance1138]

Are you saying the only factor that determines if a console is a "mid-gen refresh" is power?
It's yet another console SKU coming out before the end of the generation, it's a refresh.

[sagapo]

That was about a pro model.

[crazyCoconuts]

Do we really know this is coming out this year, or is this potentially an old idea that got scrapped?

[PhillyDonJawn]

He said their wouldn't be a "pro" model. As in increased power. This is just a redesign

[Destiny1080]

''all-new southbridge to modernize IO''

it sounds like there moving to PCIe Gen 4 NVMe

[Knightofelemia]

I like the small looking beer fridge Series X better then something looks like its waiting for me to say ALexa.

[thesoftware730]

Looks like my old Alexa.

I would buy this, and want to buy this lol.

Will they lower the price of the standard SX?
$499, SX: Premium
$450 SX: Standard
$250 Xbox:SS

Seems fair.

[RupeeHoarder]

according to the timeline, current Series X and S will be discontinued next fall. See the "EOL" comments

[Petebloodyonion]

I wonder what they mean by a Rechargeable and swappable battery?
Does it mean it comes with a battery pack that you place on a stand?

[darthv72]

It means it comes with a rechargeable battery (instead of regular AA) and can be swapped out for other batteries if you wanted. which means it still offers user replaceable option.

[CrimsonWing69]

I thought they weren’t doing mid-gen upgrades, wtf? We’ve barely anything to show for current-gen…

Also, can you lay this on its side or does it have to stand up straight? I have an entertainment center and I’d like to keep things off from where the Tv stands. It definitely won’t fit standing up.

[repsahj]

Covid is already forgotten, too late for a new Air humidifier. XD

[Abear21]

Looks like an air purifier. By the time enough games come out to make me buy one there will be another sku, they release hardware more often than must play games.

[GoodGuy09]

Sad but consoles are getting more and more digitized.

[CptDville]

And this is the final step for turning the XSX disc drive a useless junk.
I totally regret buying it as I’m a physical disc collector and MS simply stopped selling discs in my country. Didn’t even get a chance to buy a Starfield physical disc.

[sagapo]

What country is that? Here in Belgium I can buy Starfield on a disc.

[CptDville]

Brazil. No more physical discs here for a
MS releases.

[Stanjara]

So next year Xbox gonna be all digital, S and X.

What r y gonna do with your disc collection?

Why invest in this at all?

[CptDville]

I like to own the stuff I buy and have a considerable games collection. What I’ve been doing it to buy all multi plataforma games on Ps5.
It’s not an investment, it’s my collection for me! I do not invest money in games, I spend it for my pleasure with no economical return expectations.

[darthv72]

The standard game is on disc all over the world. Only the constellation edition did not include the disc.

[CptDville]

False. There is no physical release in my country (Brazil).

[PhillyDonJawn]

Not gonna lie this looks dope. This make you wanna trade the regular X in for this. But I need a disk drive. I don't feel safe without a disk drive lol. Should've left the controller all black tho. White looks out of place. Glad they kept a swappable battery cause I'm sure the battery life won't be good with all the new features

[purple101]

Fans gonna be pissed.. there releasing an updated series s too with the new controller and updated Bluetooth/wifi and 1tb storage that you currently have ti buy the black version for.

So what about all the people that just upgraded -now upgrade again?. I don't know how Xbox fans put up with this.

[ironmonkey]

Lol what is this a Bluetooth speaker from Alibaba.

[StarkR3ality]

Looks alright, but if you can afford it there 0 point in owning an Xbox, PC all the way.

Glad for the controller improvements though I'll be picking one of those up, hopefully the battery life is as good as their Elite models, that thing is genuinely ridiculous.

[dumahim]

So they've copied pretty much everything from the PS controller now, finally making the buttons quieter (jesus, they're so damn loud) and made it ugly?

[VincentVanBro]

Yall, hidden in that documentation is an image of a planned Xbox handheld, as well as many other juicy tidbits like a 1-handed controller and an Xbox keyboard and mouse. Wild stuff.

[Phoenix76]

Didn't MS once say that they believe in "game preservation"? But going all digital how are people meant to play their older games on disc?

[Stanjara]

by GP sub duhhh /s

[hiawa23]

Nice👏👏

[Einhander1971]

Alexa.. I mean Xbox play some better games lol 😆

[WICKED_Wildcard]

I wasn't interested in buying an Xbox console when they released the Xbox One and the Xbox Series, and after viewing these leaks on their new next-gen console, I'm even less interested in it.

[miccasx]

ftc

[FernDiggidy]

Why would anyone buy this shit?

[northpaws]

MS: "Ok, designers, let's start designing our next gen consoles"
Designers dragged two 3D shapes on the screen to test the mouse.
MS: "Actually, let's save the budget, so we have more money to buy up the industry, just use this 3D rectangle for initial launch and the Cylinder for mid gen update"

[YourMommySpoils]

I've actually been looking for a new toilet paper roll storage. This would be perfect.

[HyperMoused]

Looking at the comments, i have to say, dont worry Steve ill buy one

[Stanjara]

Steve was the best of us.

[gigoran8]

so instead of doing this like Sony did at the start of the generation, they do it at the middle.

[Pyrofire95]

Oof.
No Disc reader is a dangerous standard.
Awesome to see the new tech in the controller tho. (not a fan of the pants design, but that's just a nitpick.)

[sadraiden]

X-Can?

[DarXyde]

"Alexa, play Starfield."

[banger88]

Can't wait for the future when MS adorably delists your digital purchases and isn't obligated to allow you to redownload them. How adorable! Yeah f*** that all-digital future.

[Stanjara]

I like how everyone that bought a physical disk will have a physical VHS tape.

[ravens52]

Guess that 1 extra tb makes up for no disc drive? But still $499. Ok...

[PRIMORDUS]

Xtube 🤣

[Rhythmattic]

Looks like a Trash can.

[BrettAwesome]

So from fridge to chimney.