The next Xbox will be the central experience, but Microsoft will open the door to partner consoles

The future of hardware points to multiple Xbox devices of different prices and formats.

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Microsoft is further refining its long-term strategy for Xbox, and everything points to a profound change in the way hardware is understood. According to a new report, the next console developed directly by the company will be the basic and quintessential Xbox experience, but it won’t be the only option available to players.

The idea is to expand the ecosystem with alternative hardware created by partners, allowing for different budgets, sizes, and performance levels without relying on a single official model.

Xbox will bet on a base console and devices created by Windows partners

According to Windows Central, Microsoft is already collaborating with OEM manufacturers like ASUS to develop new Xbox-compatible hardware options, similar to the approach seen with the Xbox Ally models. These proposals would range from more compact and affordable devices to high-end consoles with higher prices.

The Xbox console itself would remain the central pillar of the ecosystem, offering the purest and most standardized experience. However, Microsoft’s partners could launch their own “Xbox consoles”, with different designs, features, and approaches, all integrated within the same environment.

• This move would be closely tied to a greater integration of Windows into the Xbox ecosystem, allowing for more personalized and flexible experiences. The goal would be for each user to choose the device that best suits their way of playing, whether by price, size, power, or portability.

If this vision materializes, the future of Xbox would involve devices of all sizes and shapes, created by both Microsoft and its OEM partners, marking a new era where the Xbox brand extends beyond a single traditional console.