Microsoft have spoken about some impressive specs for the Xbox Scarlett, their next generation of the Xbox console family. It feels like proper generational leap based on what little we’ve heard so far, thanks to its new custom processor, its support for hardware accelerated ray tracing, and the inclusion of an SSD (for starters). But with such impressive specs comes a high price of admission.
Microsoft’s Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, has spoken recently about how the company is constantly thinking about what the price for Scarlett will be, but there are, of course, still concerns that if you want to get the best available Xbox hardware come Holiday 2020, you’re going to have to pony up a large sum of money. But Microsoft, it seems, remains confident that they have a solid understanding of what a reasonable price point for the Xbox Scarlett will be.
“We understand what reasonable price points are for a console and kind of what customers expect about that,” said Microsoft’s Partner Director of Program Management Jason Ronald while speaking with Windows Central. “At the same time to you, we are innovating we are pushing the boundaries of some of this. We’re not sharing any details on price, or, you know, more detailed specs at this point. But I will say that we’re very confident in what we’re building, something that will set a new bar for expectations of console gaming.”
The Xbox One X, when it launched in 2017, was priced at $499, which isn’t something a very large sum of people would be willing to spend. If, however, the leaks are right, and Microsoft are indeed working on two variants for the Scarlett, one of which is going to be a less powerful, cheaper model, then the issue of a higher price point could be side stepped.
Industry analyst Michael Pachter says the current spec list is suggesting a $499 price point, but believes Microsoft (and Sony) could end up launching their console for $399. Read more on that through here.