The next-generation Xbox console, expected around late 2027, is confirmed to be a full Windows PC at its core. It will feature a TV and controller-first interface but allow installation of third-party stores like Steam and Epic. The recently released ASUS Xbox Ally handheld, with its Xbox Full Screen Experience mode, offers an early look at this vision.
However, concerns arise about inheriting Windows' flaws. A recent Windows 11 update broke key functions on the Xbox Ally, highlighting stability issues foreign to current polished Xbox consoles. Windows, a productivity-first OS, often prioritizes differently than a gaming-first platform like Xbox, leading to potential conflicts in user experience.
Microsoft now has strong incentive to improve the Windows gaming experience, owning major PC franchises like Call of Duty. The central question is whether Microsoft can refine Windows into a stable, console-like environment in time for the next Xbox launch, merging open PC flexibility with console reliability.