There is no doubt that the next Xbox will be the gaming topic of 2026, and today new and juicy rumors arrive about the future of green-cross hardware. The well-known Jez Corden of Windows Central has in fact published a long report that sheds light on Microsoft's plans for the next generation of consoles, defining it in no uncertain terms as the "most ambitious and risky" hardware project in the history of the brand.

So let's see together what the good Jez has to say about Microsoft's next hardware plans.

Not just a console: a "disguised" living room PC

Corden confirms the rumors that are circulating more and more insistently: even according to his sources, the vision for the next Xbox (often referred to as Gen-10) foresees a radical paradigm shift. Forget the classic "closed box": the new machine will essentially be a Windows 11 gaming PC, but with an interface optimized for use on TVs.

By default, the system will boot with a console interface similar to the current one, designed for the controller, disabling unnecessary Windows processes to maximize game performance. However, the real revolution lies in the freedom offered to the user: we will have the possibility to exit the Xbox interface to access the complete Windows desktop, allowing us to run any program or accessory.

This means that the next Xbox will not only run games from past generations (Xbox One, Series X|S and backwards compatible), but will open the doors to PC stores such as Steam and Epic Games Store. A move that, in Microsoft's intentions, would like to turn the console into the ultimate gaming platform.

AMD and the 2027 launch window

As already announced, the beating heart of this new machine will once again be signed AMD. In fact, Corden cites the recent statement by CEO Lisa Su, who during a call with investors hinted that the development of the semi-custom SoC (System-on-a-Chip) of the next Xbox (internal AMD codename: "Magnus") is progressing well for a launch in 2027.

However, Corden points out that within Microsoft this date is considered more as an ideal scenario than as a deadline set in stone. The Windows and Xbox teams are working closely together to make the operating system suitable for this hybrid experience, and the priority remains the final quality rather than the rush to get out. 2027 therefore represents the expected "runway", but everything will depend on progress on the software front.

An open ecosystem and the role of partners

Another key aspect concerns the "Xbox Everywhere" strategy. The report mentions how current devices such as the ASUS Xbox Ally are a first taste of this vision. In the future, Microsoft won't be the only one producing Xbox hardware: the company is working with various OEM partners to create a diverse range of devices.

While Microsoft's first-party console will be the go-to experience, we could see "super-premium" versions from Windows partners hit the market, as well as cheaper and more portable options. The goal is to offer a range of choices for all budgets, similar to what happens today with the Surface line of PCs and laptops.

Prices and outlook

And speaking of pockets, what should we expect on the price front? The news here is bittersweet. Due to the rising costs of components (such as RAM) and tariffs, the next high-end Xbox could have a decidedly premium positioning, with some analysts speculating figures close to $1,000.

However, Microsoft seems intent on leaving no one behind: support for less expensive hardware, such as the eventual successor to Series S or partner handheld consoles, will ensure that the ecosystem remains accessible. In addition, new AI-powered features are expected to arrive, such as the already announced system that will automatically generate videos of our best gaming moments, coming in March to the Xbox Ally X and destined to become a standard for the next-gen.

In short, there is a lot of meat in the fire: if Microsoft manages to unify the versatility of the PC with the convenience of the console, we could be facing a real revolution. A "platform", rather than a specific hardware, which will allow us to choose both the hardware manufacturer and the store from which to buy the games, and which we can use mainly to play, but which will also allow us to do something else, if we need to.

We just have to wait for further developments, and above all the first official announcements!