Tech Desk 
Sep 02, 2025
A new leak has reignited the debate over the future of next-gen consoles, with suggestions that Microsoft's next Xbox could be priced more than double the PlayStation 6.
This information comes from a well-known leaker by the name of KeplerL2, who posted in the NeoGAF forums about the Magnus APU, the chip purportedly to be used in the incoming Xbox. KeplerL2 suggests that Microsoft may enable the console to support third-party shopfronts like Steam and GOG.
If true, this means players could buy games directly from these platforms, as opposed to through Xbox itself. Microsoft's Xbox currently charges 30% on game sales, meaning that if this is how Microsoft would make money, the loss of these sales would mean no revenue for them. To make up for this, they would need to charge possibly double or more than the PS6 for the hardware.
Using optimistic price estimates for the PlayStation 6, this would mean it is possible for the next Xbox to be priced at $1,100 or higher.
This matters because console pricing is a more sensitive subject than ever. The PS5 is now consistently outselling the Xbox Series X | S more than 2 to 1 this generation, and price will be a huge factor in next-gen success.
Meanwhile, rumours suggest Sony could launch both a PS6 console and a PS6 handheld at prices similar to the PS5, giving it a major competitive edge.
While the Magnus APU is expected to deliver significant power, KeplerL2 suggested it wouldn’t give Xbox much of an advantage over the PS6’s rumoured specs. That means a huge price gap could make the Xbox “dead on arrival”.
