Microsoft revealed technical specifications for Project Helix, its next-generation Xbox console, at the 2026 Game Developer Conference (GDC). The company confirmed a continued partnership with AMD to produce a custom System on a Chip (SoC) for the new hardware.
The console targets a significant performance increase in ray tracing capabilities. It will also utilize advanced machine learning-based upscaling features.
Microsoft will begin shipping alpha versions of the Project Helix hardware to developers in 2027. This schedule indicates a likely consumer launch in 2028 or later.
Project Helix is designed to play both Xbox and PC games natively. This move underscores Microsoft's strategy to merge its console and PC gaming ecosystems into a single platform.