Xbox Hardware Refresh Expected in 2026, Not New Console

What changed most: The biggest shift here is the focus on an incremental hardware refresh for 2026, pivoting away from a full “next-gen” console launch, which some reports suggest could be delayed due to factors like RAM price increases.

According to a report from Pure Xbox, drawing from Windows Central‘s predictions, the anticipated hardware refresh for 2026 is unlikely to be a full-fledged new console. Instead, speculation points towards a potential Xbox Elite Series 3 Controller. I’ve played with the Elite Series 2 myself, and the thought of an even more refined pro-controller with features like direct-to-WiFi connectivity to eliminate Bluetooth latency for cloud gaming is genuinely exciting.

Beyond controllers, there’s also a teased possibility of more Xbox branded OEM hardware in 2026. The report hints at devices perhaps utilizing the Xbox Full Screen Experience user interface, similar to what we’ve seen with the ROG Ally handheld. An Xbox-branded PC is even mentioned as a credible rumour, though its realization remains to be seen. This indicates Microsoft’s continued push towards a more PC-centric, device-agnostic Xbox ecosystem, where your games follow you across various hardware, not just a dedicated console.

The community response is, as always, a mixed bag of anticipation and skepticism. Some gamers are questioning the timing of a new Elite controller revision right before a potential next-gen console, which “SHOULD feature a lot more tech (haptics, gyro etc.) to bring them in line with the competition”. However, others see the logic in new hardware for the broader Xbox ecosystem, not just the traditional console, noting that “Your TV, PC etc are Xbox’s so maybe thinking that way a new modern elite 3 controller does make sense as we are not tying things to consoles anymore in the traditional way”. There’s also talk of the “next-gen Xbox” itself potentially being a full Windows PC, further blurring the lines between traditional console and PC gaming.

For gamers, this means 2026 could be a year of enhanced peripherals and expanded ways to play Xbox games, rather than a full console upgrade. If you’re invested in the Xbox ecosystem, especially PC gaming or cloud streaming, these potential hardware releases could significantly improve your experience. Keep an eye out for official announcements on the Elite Series 3 and other OEM devices, as Microsoft continues to evolve what it means to “play Xbox.”