What changed: the Series X got much pricier
Microsoft announced a worldwide Xbox console price update on June 25, 2026, effective August 1. Reporting from God is a Geek says Series S and X prices in the UK and Europe rose by up to £170 and €200 on that date, with Microsoft citing a global memory and storage shortage. Microsoft's own explanation was blunt. The company said console storage and memory prices have risen more than 2.5x and that it expects another doubling by the fall of 2027.
The European figures reported by God is a Geek:
| Model | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Series X 1 TB disc | €599.99 | €799.99 |
| Series X 1 TB digital | €549.99 | €749.99 |
| Series S 1 TB | €399.99 | €599.99 |
| Series S 512 GB | €349.99 | €499.99 |
These are the figures God is a Geek reports for the Series S and the Series X in the digital and disc versions. Microsoft also announced that the 2 TB Series X would no longer be available. That matters because the older "Galaxy Black 2 TB" recommendation is now a stock-clearance hunt, not a normal purchase. Treat any 2 TB listing you find as leftover inventory. Microsoft's own product page still lists it.
Prices vary by retailer and region, so check the price at the shop you plan to use. The German figures above are Microsoft's estimated retail prices as reported by third parties. I haven't confirmed them against a live checkout.
In the US, Microsoft said prices rise by US$100 for 512 GB models and US$150 for 1 TB models. One report puts the US Series X at $799.99, up from $649.99, though that outlet is a secondary source. Don't map US dollar prices or promotions onto European ones.
The PS5 comparison
The original article argued that the Series X is good value against the PS5. That argument is weaker now. One report, citing Gamespew, says the UK Series X disc model is now £100 more expensive than a 1 TB PS5 with a disc drive. The updated space4games text cites a European PS5 disc-drive RRP of €649.99. I couldn't verify that Sony figure independently, so check Sony's listing for your country before relying on it. A like-for-like comparison is the disc Series X against the disc PS5. Don't compare the digital Series X against the disc PS5.
What the hardware still offers
The Series X hardware hasn't changed, and it remains capable. Microsoft's specifications list:
- A custom Zen 2 CPU, 8 cores. This is Microsoft's published spec, listed on its product page.
- A custom RDNA 2 GPU rated at 12 TFLOPS.
- 16 GB of GDDR6 memory.
- A custom NVMe SSD, with support for matching Storage Expansion Cards and USB 3.1 external drives.
- A 4K UHD Blu-ray drive on the disc models. The 1 TB Digital Edition has no drive.
Be careful with the headline numbers. Microsoft lists "up to 120 FPS" as a performance target. Its fine print says 4K at 120 FPS requires supported content and a supported display. So 4K and 120 FPS are ceilings that depend on the game and your TV, not guarantees for every title.
The Series X is also a decent all-rounder. Microsoft says it plays games across four generations of Xbox. It also offers a disc-to-digital licensing program in select markets. The program needs a console with a disc drive and a supported Xbox One or Series X disc, and Xbox 360 and original Xbox discs are not supported. If you own discs, this is a reason to prefer the disc model over the digital one.
Project Helix: what's confirmed
Waiting for the next Xbox is a gamble on an undated, unpriced product. Here is what Microsoft has actually said.
Microsoft's Xbox Wire post, summarising a keynote by Jason Ronald at GDC on March 11, 2026, says Project Helix is a next-generation console designed to play both Xbox console and PC games. The company says it is powered by a custom AMD SoC co-designed for the next generation of DirectX and FSR. It claims an "order of magnitude" leap in ray-tracing performance. Those are Microsoft's claims, not measured results.
The only concrete timing is this: Microsoft said it plans to ship alpha versions of the hardware to developers beginning in 2027. That is a developer milestone, not a retail launch. Microsoft hasn't announced a consumer release date or price.
The Zen 6 CPU, RDNA 5 GPU, 24–32 GB of RAM, RTX 5080-class performance and the $600–800 price range in the original article are rumors. None of them appears in Microsoft's announcement. The same goes for the claim that PS6 will arrive around 2027. Treat these as unconfirmed.
There is one reassurance for Series X owners. Microsoft said it is committed to keeping games from four Xbox generations playable for years to come. That is a statement of intent, not a title-by-title guarantee. Be wary of any claim that future games are "secured" for Series X.
Who should buy now, and who shouldn't
Buy now if:
- You want to play on a console now, and you already have an Xbox library, backward-compatible games or disc purchases.
- You value the Blu-ray drive and the disc-to-digital program.
- You can't tolerate an open-ended wait for Project Helix.
Compare carefully if:
- You are choosing between the Xbox and PS5 on price. At €799.99 for the disc model, the Series X is no longer a value pick. Check retailer deals and bundles.
- You are choosing between the 1 TB disc and 1 TB digital models. The digital model is €50 cheaper at the new prices, but it can't play discs.
- You are considering a Series S. It is now €499.99 for 512 GB. That is a big step down in capability for the money, and Microsoft says the Series S is designed for 1440p with upscaling to 4K.
Consider refurbished or used if:
- You want to save money. Microsoft said certified refurbished consoles are available at Microsoft Stores for up to US$100 off MSRP. It also said it is working with retail partners on trade-in and previously played console programs.
- Warranty terms vary by region. Microsoft's US refurbished listing mentions a 90-day warranty. Check the terms in your own country. The claim that second-hand units are typically €100–200 cheaper is unverified, so check current local listings.
Wait if:
- You only want the newest hardware and are comfortable waiting without a date.
- Keep in mind that the memory and storage shortage Microsoft cited could affect Project Helix pricing too. That is my inference. Microsoft hasn't said so.
Bottom line
The Series X is still a capable console with a deep back catalog and a useful disc drive. It is no longer the cheap option it was a year ago. If you want one, buy it for the games you will actually play, and compare the disc and digital models and the retailer prices. If you can live without it for now, nothing official suggests a better console is arriving soon. Waiting also means betting on an unpriced product in a component market that Microsoft itself says will get worse before it gets better.