A Digital-Only Xbox Series X Model Could be on the Way

As the Xbox Series X gears to ring in its third anniversary, Microsoft is reportedly considering a digital-only edition of the Xbox Series X by 2025. During the Xbox Era podcast, Shpeshal Nick revealed that Microsoft is looking into releasing a new model of their current-generation console without the disc drive. The compact new model could prove to be a rival to Sony's much-awaited PS5 Slim.
 

Microsoft just revealed its impressive Q4 sales from 2022 and CEO Satya Nadella claimed Xbox set new fourth-quarter records for monthly active users driven by the strength of the console as well monthly active devices. Microsoft is also set to hike up the price of the Xbox Series X console in August, so, at the moment, the most economical way to get into the current console generation on Microsoft's side is through an Xbox Series S. 
 

Read more: Microsoft-Activision FTC Hearing Wraps Up

Microsoft's Curious Move After Claiming Xbox A Loser In Console Wars

Nick revealed that he had received direct messages from two sources regarding a 'digital only' edition of the Xbox Series X and another hardware, set for release in 2025. The other hardware could very well be a mid-gen refresh or something more versatile. 

Despite its general technical limitations (Larian Studios had to delay the release window for Baldur's Gate 3 on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S as getting split-screen co-op to run on the weaker console proved challenging), Xbox Series X has been well-received. But rumours of a new Nintendo console, as well as a PS5 Pro console leak, may have led Microsoft to consider it an updated, digital-only Xbox Series X which could boost sales for Microsoft during the console wars.

Interestingly, during the FTC Vs Microsoft hearing, Phil Spencer, the Xbox chief painted Xbox Series X as a loser in the console wars. Spencer was questioned about how many frames per second (fps) the Xbox Series S / X consoles can support as compared to Switch and even the differences in GPU teraflops.

“If you look at our market share in the console space over the last 20-plus years, we’re in third place. We are behind Sony and Nintendo in console share globally," Spencer had said, much to the surprise of loyalists.