Next-Gen Xbox Will be a “Reference Device” with “a Heavy Windows Slant” – Rumour

Microsoft confirmed earlier this year that work was already underway on the next generation of Xbox hardware, and that it would boast “the largest technical leap” for a new console generation. Given the fact that we’re only at about the halfway point in the current console generation, it’s obviously going to be a while before we hear more about the next one, though it seems some details on what Microsoft’s plans entail are filtering through nonetheless.

Taking to Twitter, Windows Central journalist Jez Corden shared potential details on Microsoft’s plans for the next generation of Xbox. As per Corden, the next Xbox will have “a heavy Windows slant” and is primarily going to be “a reference devices” for manufacturers to make similar devices, such as the ASUS Rog Ally. Corden compared it to how the Surface Pro 11 is used as a reference for similar devices made by third parties.

Given Microsoft’s expanded third-party publishing plans for Xbox first-party titles, and with leaks claiming that those plans are only going to grow, it maybe wouldn’t be the most surprising thing in the world for Microsoft’s idea of what Xbox should be to continue to change as well- though something like this would certainly be a drastic shift.

Previous leaked internal Microsoft documents have seemingly suggested that the next Xbox will be a hybrid cloud console, while reports have also claimed that it could launch as soon as 2026. Read more on that through here.

The next Xbox has a heavy Windows slant and will be a reference device for manufacturers making devices like the ASUS ROG Ally most likely. Like Surface Pro 11 is a reference device for AI PCs.

— Jez (@JezCorden) May 25, 2024