If you’re considering buying a brand-new Xbox console to play all the best Xbox Game Pass games whenever you want, you might actually want to wait a little while before buying. Why do we say that? Well, we know the Starfield release date is on the horizon, but recent rumors claim a new digital Xbox Series X console is on the way – and this could affect console prices in a huge way, at the very least.
As reported by GameRant, XboxEra Podcast host and renowned leaker ‘Shpeshal Nick’ has claimed that “Microsoft are currently looking into a digital-only [Xbox] Series X”. This could make the most powerful Xbox console a lot smaller than the current Xbox Series X console – and, perhaps, a rival to the long-rumored PS5 Slim being worked on by Sony.
Without revealing any more details, the leaker also reports that “other [Xbox] hardware” is due in 2025. They also made sure to say that they’re not confirming anything, and that they’re just reporting what they have heard from their own sources. So, a rather large pinch of salt is due with this one.
You can check out this section of the three-hour podcast stream at around the two-hour mark below:
Do these rumors have any sort of merit behind them, or are they just rumors? Well, we know this isn’t what you want to hear, but it’s hard to say right now. The source of these rumors isn’t a bad one, but it’s not one with a faultless record. It’s also worth keeping in mind that this is only really a claim that Microsoft is considering the idea, not confirmation that the idea itself is reality and the smaller digital-only Xbox Series X console is in development.
It’s also worth remembering that there are strong rumors that a new PS5 Slim console could be announced shortly. So, it’s not outrageous to think that Microsoft could be slowly starting to work on something similar.
However, with that being said, Sony’s long-rumored PS5 Slim doesn’t really sound like it’s worth the wait. That doesn’t mean Microsoft’s new digital Xbox Series X won’t be either, but it doesn’t bode well either if Microsoft is chasing after Sony – in this case.
Could we see a next-gen Xbox release date confirmed anytime soon? Well, maybe. Ultimately, though, all we can do is wait. If you are looking to buy a new console and play some of the most exciting upcoming Xbox games out there, you can check out the latest deals on the best Xbox expansion cards here and what you need to look out for if you want to pick up the best Xbox controllers available.