Xbox Series X reportedly set to get digital-only variant

Microsoft’s strategy with this generation of gaming has been to offer two separate consoles of varying power and features. The Xbox Series X brings 12 teraflops of power and a disc drive while the more budget-friendly Series S drops the total power to just 4 teraflops while also removing the system’s ability to play physical media. It seems as though Microsoft might soon be set to mimic Sony in their approach to the 9th-gen consoles, offering a full blown Series X minus the disc drive.

As reported by known industry insider ‘Shpeshal Nick' via the Xbox Era Podcast, the leaker stated that ‘what I’ve heard – I actually heard it from a couple of sources surprisingly. At first I'd already heard it from one and then another one reached out to me completely separately and said “I've heard this is happening” and so I went back to the original and I’m like “does that mean I can say something now?” and they’re like “okay.”’

With that in mind, Nick claimed to have heard that “Microsoft is currently looking into a Digital-only Series X – so no disc drive”. Interestingly, this is not the only piece of hardware said to be in the works, with Nick claiming that “there is (sic) also plans for other hardware in 2025” – suggesting that this new Series X would also arrive two years from now.

Offering a discless Series X would put Microsoft’s strategy more in line with Sony’s – meaning two variants of the same console separated only by their ability to play physical media. If this is indeed the case, it will be interesting to see how Microsoft positions the system and at what price point it would retail for. Currently the Series X is £479.99 while the Series S costs £249.99 – meaning it could land somewhere in between these two. We will have to wait and see.

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KitGuru says: What do you think of the Series X? Would you buy a discless version? How much should it cost? Let us know your thoughts down below.

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