Project Helix price is projected at $1,200 to $1,800, according to a report. Microsoft reportedly made the estimate internally for its next-gen Xbox console, which is targeted for a holiday 2028 launch. The report also says Xbox plans a handheld for holiday 2027 and a Game Pass overhaul with Ă la carte options. Microsoft has not publicly commented on the price projections or the layoffs.
Here is what the report says about the price, the timeline, the handheld, Game Pass, and the job cuts.
Project Helix Price and Release Date Details
According to a Fortune report, Microsoft has internally projected the Project Helix price at $1,200 to $1,800 for consumers. That range applies unless Microsoft subsidizes the hardware.
This is a projection, not a confirmed retail price. The final number could change before launch, especially if component costs fall or Xbox absorbs part of the hardware cost.
Asha Sharma plans to release the next Xbox console by the 2028 holidays. That Xbox Project Helix release date is later than earlier reports suggested, which pointed to 2027.
The report also says Xbox moved up its engineering deadlines for Helix by at least several months.
| Device | Reported target | Reported price |
|---|---|---|
| Next-gen Xbox handheld | Holiday 2027 | Not disclosed |
| Project Helix console | Holiday 2028 | $1,200 to $1,800 (internal projection) |
The table shows the handheld launching first. Microsoft has not shared a price for it. The $1,200 to $1,800 range applies only to the Helix console.
Why the Next-Gen Xbox Console Could Cost More
Memory prices are the main pressure. Microsoft has said memory and storage costs have risen sharply, and demand from AI data centers is straining the supply of key components.
Sharma has spoken about this before. She said that memory costs will affect both the price and the availability of Project Helix. In an interview in June, she said Helix would be expensive only if Xbox does not innovate. She did not say what that innovation would be.
For comparison, the Xbox Series X launched at $499 in 2020.
Sharma announced Project Helix on Mar 5, 2026. She said it would lead in performance and play both Xbox and PC games. Microsoft has not shared final specs, and dev kits are due to start shipping in 2027.
Next-Gen Xbox Handheld Plans for 2027
Sharma plans to release a next-gen Xbox handheld by the 2027 holiday season. Microsoft has not publicly announced the device.
Sharma has called Helix a “family of devices” in earlier comments. That fits a lineup with more than one piece of hardware.
The report also describes a clash between the Xbox and Windows teams over the operating system. Xbox executives reportedly refused a trimmed-down Windows Home build. Xbox now largely controls the direction of the OS, though Sharma says the teams still work closely. “We can’t build Helix on our own,” she said.
Xbox Game Pass Overhaul Plans
According to the report, Xbox is planning a major Xbox Game Pass overhaul. The service would move to a tiered structure where players pick features Ă la carte.
Players would buy separate add-ons for console-only games, cloud gaming, and multiplayer. That replaces the current single-bundle approach.
The report says Xbox plans to cut 3,200 jobs in its gaming division over the next year. Sharma has cut 1,868 people so far. The cuts are meant to improve profit margins and will come in multiple waves.
Microsoft has not commented on the layoff plans. The final Project Helix price and the handheld details will need official confirmation from the company.
