Yet another insider is claiming that Xbox intends on launching its next console in 2026, with the intent of getting the jump on PlayStation by starting the next generation of hardware early.
The news comes from an X user by the name Ghost of Hope who focuses heavily on Call of Duty content.
“Take this with a grain of salt,” says Ghost of Hope. “I’m hearing that the next Xbox console is still coming in 2026 and will be called ‘Xbox Prime’. Still unclear if it’s a code name or the actual name. I’ve heard Infinity Ward’s next COD is still being considered a day one release for this.”
Interestingly, Ghost of Hope is qoute-tweeting one of his previous posts from May of 2024.
Take this with a huge grain of salt:
I’m hearing that the next Xbox console is still coming in 2026 and will be called “Xbox Prime”. Still unclear if it’s a code name or the actual name. I’ve heard Infinity Ward’s next COD is still being considered a day one release for this. https://t.co/JKGMsKU9br
— Hope (@TheGhostOfHope) January 6, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
It’s difficult to garner how reliable a source Ghost of Hope may be. It’s clear that he does have at least some contacts within the Call of Duty world, though, which is presumably where this information is coming from.
It should be noted that rumours of Xbox putting out a new machine in 2026 have been circulating for a while now, going back to early 2023.
Both the Xbox Series S and Xbox Series X launched in 2020, meaning by 2026 it will have been just 6 years. Typically, console generations last around 8 years.
If I was to speculate, I would imagine Microsoft’s idea of launching early would be due to how handily beaten they’ve been over the last two generations. Xbox hardware sales are in the toilet, and software sales are not doing much better. While beginning the next-generation early would be a drastic move, drastic moves are all Microsoft really has left to claw back ground if it wishes to remain relevant as a console manufacturer. Game Pass was a similar situation where Microsoft did something drastic in a bid to draw in customers.
However, Jez Corden of WindowsCentral, who is usually a reliable source, says that there is no Xbox Prime coming in 2026.
“nah. they are making new hardware ofc, but there’s no such thing as xbox prime launching in 26.” said Corden on X.
nah. they are making new hardware ofc, but there’s no such thing as xbox prime launching in 26.
— Jez (@JezCorden) January 6, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
The new hardware Corden speaks of could simply be the next-generation of Xbox, as both Microsoft and Sony will have begun development of their next machine as soon as the previous ones were done.
Or it could refer to the Xbox handheld which Xbox head-honcho Phil Spencer has confirmed is actively being worked on.
If Microsoft does make the call to launch 2 years ahead of schedule it’d be a ballsy move, but considering how much the brand is suffering a few ballsy moves are going to be needed.
What do you guys think? Will Xbox launch in 2026 or is his a nothing-burger?