Update: Microsoft has now confirmed the launch of the Xbox Series S in response to the leak. Original article continues below the Microsoft tweet:
👀 Let’s make it official! Xbox Series S | Next-gen performance in the ˢᵐᵃˡˡᵉˢᵗ Xbox ever. $299 (ERP). Looking forward to sharing more! Soon. Promise. pic.twitter.com/8wIEpLPVEq
— Xbox (@Xbox) September 8, 2020
A render of the Xbox Series S has leaked alongside the alleged retail price of US $299.
According to Thurrot.com and Brad Sams the as-yet unannounced next-gen console will be white with a large black circular grill on the front, presumably for cooling.
The render looks as though it’s a screenshot from a video and shows the new Xbox alongside the new controller and supposed “Estimated retail price” of $299.
The Series S is thought to be the lower-end next-gen Xbox that will partner the already announced Xbox Series X in Microsoft’s new line up. It looks a lot like the current Xbox Series One S and One X compared to the more PC-tower-like Series X.
It’s hard to tell from the renders, but it does look as though the console doesn’t have a disc drive, meaning its price may be this low because it is a digital-only Xbox. This could prove a smart move by Microsoft by winning over more casual gamers to its platform with a price that isn’t astronomical.
Pricing for the Xbox Series X and rival Sony’s PlayStation 5 console have yet to be officially announced, but if the $299 of the Series S is accurate it may well undercut Sony. The build-up to the reveals of both consoles have been like a cat and mouse game between the companies, but this could bring Microsoft out on top.
The PS5 is confirmed to have a disc and non-disc version, but the latter is unlikely to be an entry-level console like the Series S is.
Author: Henry Burrell, Phones Editor
Henry is Tech Advisor’s Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. He spends a lot of time moving between different handsets and shouting at WhatsApp to support multiple devices at once.