Xbox representatives have suggested that the console brand is due for a shake-up in recent months, with Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer stating that the next Xbox should be “more innovative.” A new report claims that the next console from Xbox might not be a traditional console at all, and that it might be targeting a 2027 launch rather than 2026.
On a recent episode of the Xbox Two podcast, reporter Jez Corden said that Microsoft’s plans for the new Xbox are more akin to a gaming PC. He describes the machine as a “PC in essence, but with a TV-friendly shell that also has a specific set of specs in mind.” He further suggested that similar to existing consoles, developers will know what these specs are, so they’ll be able to optimize their games accordingly.
Corden also poured cold water onto the rumors that Call of Duty 2026 is being developed with the next-gen Xbox in mind, stating that he’s heard that the new hardware is targeting a 2027 release, not next year. “The devkit talk is more about what kind of specs they’ve been told to target for the next Xbox,” he said. “I’m pretty sure the new hardware is not 2026, it’s 2027.”
As always, these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt. It’s unclear if this hypothetical PC-like Xbox would feature the more extensive non-gaming functionality that you get with a PC, such as work apps, productivity software, and more. However, this is far from the first inkling that Xbox is considering a drastic change with its next console. In a recent interview, former Xbox executive Peter Moore went so far as to suggest that the console war is essentially over, and if given the choice, Microsoft would stop making hardware entirely.