For several months, there have been numerous rumours concerning the next-generation Xbox console, and there has been continual speculation about whether Microsoft will allow ASUS or other manufacturers to help develop or design next-gen consoles or not.
Finally, Microsoft cleared the air around such unconfirmed rumours.
Microsoft clears the air on Project Helix
Jason Ronald has stepped in to shut down the biggest claim. According to him, the upcoming console, widely referred to as Project Helix, will be a first-party Xbox device.
In simple terms, Microsoft isn’t handing over the keys. The next-gen Xbox will still be built and released by Microsoft itself.
This directly counters the idea that third-party brands could take over core console production.
So where did the ASUS rumours come from?
Back to where the confusion began are some statements from KeplerL2, an industry insider, who hinted that other companies could manufacture their own systems running on the Helix architecture. This led many people to believe that Microsoft would no longer produce an Xbox console. However, Microsoft is very much still producing an Xbox console. It appears that companies such as ASUS and MSI may build different devices or versions of the same platform in the future, but these new devices are not going to replace the original Xbox console manufactured by Microsoft.
The last XBOX gaming devices launched by ASUS in partnership with Microsoft were the ROG Xbox Ally X and the ROG Xbox Ally. These devices were officially unveiled on June 8, 2025, and released on October 16, 2025.
The ROG Xbox Ally X features an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB SSD, and an 80Wh battery, whereas the ROG Xbox Ally features an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, 512GB SSD, and a 60Wh battery.
Both models operate on Windows 11 with an optimized, full-screen Xbox interface, feature 7-inch 120Hz displays, and include 3 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
These devices are branded as “ROG Xbox Ally” and focus on bringing Xbox-style ergonomics and PC gaming performance to a handheld form factor
What was Project Helix?
Project Helix is the codename for Microsoft’s next-generation (fifth-generation) Xbox console, announced in March 2026 as a hybrid device designed to run both Xbox and PC games.
This Project Helix was first teased by Microsoft Gaming CEO Asha Sharma just before GDC 2026. She explained that Project Helix will “lead in performance” and play “Xbox and PC games” alike, as mentioned in earlier rumours.
At GDC 2026, Jason Ronald, Vice President of Next Generation at Xbox, also revealed that the next Xbox would be an “order of magnitude improvement” over the existing console generation while confirming that devkits will be available in 2027.
Targeting a 2027 release, this Project Helix system aims to lead in performance with a focus on advanced ray tracing and AI integration, serving as a unified gaming machine.
What to expect next?
Project Helix is still some time away, with a potential launch window around 2027. Early developer kits are expected to roll out sooner, possibly next year.
If timelines hold, the next Xbox could arrive alongside the PlayStation 6, setting up another direct battle in the console space.
Microsoft is not stepping away from hardware, at least not yet. But it is clearly exploring a broader ecosystem where more devices could exist around Xbox.
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