Cheaper Next-Gen Xbox Leaks Again

One of gaming's worst-kept secrets is the second next-generation Xbox, believed to be the Xbox Series S, and now even more evidence of the console's existence has emerged.

Twitter user Brendan said they bought a new Xbox One controller and the bundled Xbox Game Pass Ultimate trial code mentioned the Xbox Series S console. Someone replied to their tweet saying they also received the packaging with a new Xbox controller that references the unannounced Xbox console.

This latest leak follows another one from early August when packaging for new Xbox controllers mentioned the Xbox Series S console.

The Series S console is said to be the cheaper next-gen Xbox model, the one known popularly by its "Lockhart" codename. This system is rumored to have 4 teraflops of GPU performance and 7.5 GB of usable RAM. It will reportedly have the same CPU as the Series X, allowing it to run the same games with faster loading speeds but at lower resolutions than on Series X.

It was rumored that Microsoft would announce the Xbox Series S in August, but the month has come and gone with no such reveal.

There are also rumors that the Series S will not have a disc drive, which would put it more in line with the disc-free PS5 that's on the way. However, that console otherwise sports the same hardware as the disc drive-equipped model, unlike the rumored Series S that is expected to be substantially cheaper than the Series X.

Xbox boss Phil Spencer told GameSpot that it might release additional next-gen Xbox SKUs, and Lockhart is expected to be one of them. "Obviously, in the name 'Series X,' it gives us freedom to do other things with that name so that we can create descriptors when we need to," Spencer said in December 2019, all but confirming multiple next-gen Xbox consoles are coming.

For more on Microsoft's next-gen strategy, check out GameSpot's editorial below.

• Xbox Series X: Why A Cheaper Version Makes Sense For Microsoft