Moore’s Law Is Dead reports a trustworthy source has confirmed plans for Xbox Series X/S model refreshes to counter plans from Sony.
A rumor has surfaced that Microsoft will release refreshed versions of the Xbox Series X and S between 2022 and 2023 or beyond to counter Sony’s planned PS5 Slim, with the new model of the Series S supposedly debuting first. The international chip shortage has harmed console sales for Microsoft and Sony, but not such a lot to stop either company from making sizable profits on their most up-to-date systems. Sony’s executive vice-chairman of hardware commented as far back as late 2019 on the likelihood of a PS5 Pro as a part of the PlayStation 5‘s six-to-seven-year lifecycle, referencing the PS4 Pro because of the precedent. Releasing an updated version of a pre-existing console with better hardware and graphics capabilities has become a daily practice in recent years among the large Three.
Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One X in 2017 as a higher-performing, 4K alternative to the first Xbox One, which struggled in sales against its PS4 rival. But Microsoft’s unveil only arrived after Sony announced the PS4’s own 4K successor, the PS4 Pro. Nintendo has also repeated the practice to a lesser degree with the OLED version of the Switch, though fans still hope for a passionate Nintendo Switch Pro. Now that rumors of a PS5 Pro model with 8K support have come to light, an equivalent may pan out for updated Xbox Series X and S versions.
Moore’s Law Is Dead on YouTube has released a video covering the contents of a supposed leak for refreshed versions of the Xbox Series X/S. Per Wccftech, he discusses Microsoft plans to release a Series S refresh sometime in late 2022, about a better spec, competitively-priced Series S that aims to stunt the momentum of Sony’s rumored PS5 Slim. Microsoft’s strategy relies on the thought that Xbox views itself as a “Software as a Service” company. This suggests it depends heavily on Xbox Game Pass sales, a hypothesis supported by the incoming Game Pass deal where Xbox One owners can play X/S games via the cloud. A replacement Series S gives gamers a reason to trade their old systems, encouraging them to get more game passes. It also allows Microsoft to drop the worth of the first Series S, gaining an additional source of revenue in gamers who plan to conserve money by purchasing the older model. Following its release, MLID alleges Microsoft will release an Xbox Series X refresh as soon as 2023.
Like the PS4 Slim before it, Sony released a PS5 Slim that would slot in its current practice of releasing a less expensive, less graphically demanding alternative to its mainline consoles. the first Xbox One X and One S copied this model to compete for an equivalent market share: gamers who want to play next-generation titles while still saving money. Revamped versions of the Xbox Series S and X allow Microsoft to stay up with Sony PlayStation’s rumored PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro. But as MLID reports, the gaming industry has got to find how round the worldwide chip shortage is before companies can mass-produce new hardware.
Tomorrow’s PlayStation Showcase Livestream may elaborate further on these rumors, which at now haven’t expanded beyond rumors. First, of course, Xbox gamers will need to await official confirmation or denial of the rumors concerning refreshed Xbox Series X/S consoles. However, MLID’s claims have a basis in recent history, so it’s well within the realm of possibility.
Source: Moore’s Law Is Dead/YouTube (via Wccftech)
