Thanks to a recent FTC lawsuit aimed at blocking Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, we now know that Microsoft is aiming to launch a new generation of console hardware in 2028. Documents filed as part of that lawsuit also revealed a discless version of the Xbox Series X

. While the current disk-enabled version of the Xbox Series X looks like a miniature mini-fridge, this one is a large cylinder. It's like an old Mac Pro or an air purifier. And despite the fact that it is still an Xbox Series X, the documentation for this console claims that it is actually better than the current model. There doesn't appear to be any major upgrades to the console's gaming capabilities, though.

So think of it more like the Series X equivalent of the Xbox One S than the Xbox One X or the long-rumored PS5 Pro. [Perhaps Microsoft will also include an expansion port on the back of the console, allowing for additional storage capacity from 512GB to 2TB (for now).

Other documents mention the prospect of other storage options, but it is not clear whether this means in the console or expandable storage.

The documents also reveal that the console will support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 for better communication and lower latency when connecting to controllers and accessories. Wi-Fi 6E will undoubtedly contribute to the faster wireless connections mentioned here. will contribute to the faster wireless connectivity described here.

Efficiency and sustainability are also said to be on the cards; the 6nm die shrink promises to help, and the console appears to reduce power consumption in use by 15%. A new low-power standby mode is also said to be 20% more efficient than the current version. Oh, and the packaging will be 100% recycled, which is pretty cool, although it's unclear if sustainable materials will be used inside the console itself.

Other notable features include a USB-C port on the front to provide power, a new "more immersive controller," and no change in price. Unlike the digital PS5, which costs $100 less than the disc drive model, this console costs $499, the same as the disc drive Series X.

One might think that the new "immersive" controller might have been Microsoft's chance to release its own version of DualSense (complete with adaptive triggers and other features). However, it appears that there are many upgrades to this new controller.

The first is a rechargeable battery, something Xbox has not included for a ridiculously long time. Unlike the PlayStation controller, however, this can be replaced with a new one. So if the battery fails, there is no need to decide whether to send it in for expensive repairs or replace it with a brand new controller. The controller itself also seems to be designed with repair and simple disassembly in mind. This means that expensive repair work may be tackled on one's own.

Microsoft is working on several initiatives to enhance the immersive experience. These include "precision haptic feedback," VCA haptics that also act as speakers, a new accelerometer, and noise reduction for buttons and thumbsticks. The thumbsticks are modular and have "improved longevity," according to the company. Hopefully, drift will be less of an issue than it has been.

The controller also features "Xbox Wireless," Bluetooth 5.2, and something called "Direct-to-Cloud," which at least tells us that this controller was made with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cloud gaming in mind This tells us, at the very least, that this controller is made with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate cloud gaming in mind. There is also mention of new "seamless pairing and switching," other features to see which devices are paired and which are in the cloud, and better management of devices and accessories.

Finally, this controller is nearly identical in design to the current Xbox Series X/S controller, commonly known as the Merlin. The shape and ergonomics are the same, and the layout is nearly identical to the Xbox controllers of the past 18 years. However, the shared buttons have been slimmed down to the center and are two-tone. It also features a lift-to-wake system, which should allow users to start gaming faster.

These products are not just concepts; Microsoft seems to have a very real intention of releasing both the Sebile controller and the Brooklin console. There may also be a refreshed version of the Xbox Series S.

Microsoft's release schedule indicates that something called the "Ellewood 1TB" will be available at the end of August 2024 for $299. Based on the price, this is the new Xbox Series S, presumably with the same enhancements as the Brooklin Series X.

The Ellewood 1TB will be available at the end of August 2024 for $399, and will be available at the end of August 2024 for $399.

This is a bit odd since Microsoft just released a 1TB Xbox Series S with no additional changes. So if you have your heart set on that console but have not yet picked it up, you need to decide if you want it now or can afford to wait a year for a potentially better system.

The timeline also reveals that the Brooklin console will appear later this year, at least 60 days apart. Apparently, this is to "allow for interaction with different audiences" and to give Ellewood "its own moment in the holiday season timeline to maximize sales." The new console also appears to coincide with the end of life of the 512GB Series S, which could drop to $199 for the 2024 Black Friday sale.

Another console, codenamed Starkville, will also reach the end of its life (at the earliest) just before the Brooklin launch in late October. This is presumably the current Series X, but it is unclear if another console with a disk drive will be released. This is because I do not intend to switch to digital games exclusively anytime soon. Especially since digital games are so much more expensive.

Hopefully the old rumor of a stand-alone Xbox disc drive will come true, even if it can only be purchased separately.

The Sebile controller will be available fairly early this year, probably around the end of May for $70. This would be right before the "Xbox Gaming Beat" in June, a big event like we used to see at E3. The plan seems to be for both models to be announced at this time and released at the same time.