Microsoft's 2028 Xbox Could Cost $1,800—But Industry Experts Say That's Suicide

Fortune's sources inside Microsoft claim the next-generation Xbox will launch in 2028 with a projected price between $1,200 and $1,800—a figure that has sent shockwaves through the gaming industry. Former Microsoft executive Mike Ybarra responded bluntly: he wouldn't release it at all at that price. The sticker shock appears to contradict Xbox leadership's own public statements; former Xbox boss Phil Spencer previously signaled awareness that consumers simply won't stomach such costs. If accurate, the pricing would position next-gen Xbox as a premium niche product rather than a mass-market console. Rivals like PlayStation and Nintendo typically launch in the $300–$500 range, making Microsoft's rumored strategy a dramatic departure from console convention.