Next Xbox won’t be cheap — Sarah Bond teases a “very premium, high-end next-gen console experience”

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I recently watched an interview with Sarah Bond, the president of Xbox, on Mashable’s YouTube channel. She was talking about the ASUS ROG Ally, and she made a really interesting point: it’s the first time Xbox has ever made a handheld gaming device. She was responding to some chatter I’d seen on X (formerly Twitter) where people were questioning if it was a *true* Xbox product, and she clarified that it definitely is.

During the interview, the conversation centered around the new Xbox handheld, but Sarah Bond also shared some insights into Xbox’s future plans for its consoles. She offered the clearest signals yet about how Microsoft is planning to market its next gaming console to players.

Xbox president teases next-gen console as “very premium, high-end curated experience”

When questioned about upcoming Xbox consoles, Bond didn’t share any specifics about technology or launch dates, but she did mention:

The next-gen console is going to be a very premium, very high-end curated experience

Sarah Bond – President of Xbox

The specific words used – “premium” and “curated” – suggest Xbox might be focusing more on expensive, high-quality products and less on affordability, a strategy that previously defined the Xbox Series S. According to Bond, ideas for the next generation of Xbox are already visible in the Xbox handheld, indicating plans for closer connection with Windows, the inclusion of AI features, or a more connected overall system.

It’s still just a rumor at this point, but recent comments hint that Microsoft might stop making the more affordable Series S console. This would be a shame for gamers who like having options and want a budget-friendly console. I personally have two Series S consoles and think they’re great as extra consoles to have in different rooms, particularly because they’re so affordable on the used market.

Given Microsoft’s focus on cloud gaming, artificial intelligence, and expensive partnerships, it’s unclear how much of Xbox’s traditional approach to consoles will remain.

Xbox price hikes and AI focus are testing player trust

Xbox price hikes and AI focus are testing player trust

I’ve noticed a lot of Xbox fans, myself included, are feeling a bit discouraged lately. The price of Game Pass went up, and honestly, I keep getting asked by my friends if Xbox is failing – it’s a question I’m really tired of answering! It’s just getting a bit draining to constantly defend the platform.

There’s a lot of negativity surrounding Xbox right now. False rumors are spreading quickly online, and even when those rumors are proven wrong, far fewer people see the corrections. This has led many to believe Xbox is facing serious problems or might even disappear from stores, despite those claims being untrue.

The price of Xbox Series X and S development kits has gone up recently, in part because of tariffs. This makes it more expensive for game studios to create games for Xbox, and it’s a bigger challenge for smaller, independent developers. A lack of diverse games can negatively impact a platform, so this price increase is concerning.

From where I’m standing, the biggest shift with Xbox seems to be a change in focus. For years, they really prioritized players and built a strong community, but that feels different now. Since Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard, Xbox doesn’t feel like a gaming platform *for* the community as much as it feels like just another part of a massive company, and one that’s under pressure to make a lot of money. After spending $70 billion, investors and leaders like Satya Nadella are naturally looking for a quick return on that investment. And with Microsoft’s big push into AI happening at the same time, it’s starting to feel like Xbox is becoming more about corporate goals and less about the games themselves.

Xbox still has momentum, and even a PlayStation veteran enjoys the Xbox Ally

Recently, Shuhei Yoshida, a well-known leader at PlayStation, shared that he prefers the Xbox handheld, the Ally X, for PC gaming. This highlights how great hardware can overcome brand preferences, and even someone who’s dedicated years to PlayStation can appreciate what Xbox offers.

Even though it’s tough to stay optimistic with rising prices, and despite Bond’s focus on powerful hardware, the news of another expensive, high-end device doesn’t fill me with much hope. That said, a single system that could play games from both my Xbox and Steam libraries would be worth a premium price. However, it’s unclear if Xbox can actually deliver something like that, and if they don’t, the Series X and S might be the last Xbox consoles I buy.

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2025-10-21 23:10