Why the rumored new Xbox One is not an upgrade but a Slim

Rumors have it that Microsoft is working on a new Xbox One device that could see the light of day at E3 2016 next month. Several pieces of information came through the grape vine claiming the console could be a whole new system or something else entirely.

[RosweeSon]

With NX in March of next year and supposed Sony Neo due in Oct Microsoft have no choice but to do something or be completely forgotten about. A slim I don't feel will help them in the slightest due to it (current Xbox one) not being as successful as Xbox 360 so far they need some extra oomph and some more bells and whistles rather than just sliming down what they already have.

[Foehammer]

You might want to read the article:

"Seeing as the current Xbox One is just over two years old and its sales are tracking ahead of the Xbox 360, the next five to eight years will likely be more successful than the recently defunct Xbox 360."

and

"Sony has a reason for doing this seeing as the Japanese giant will release its PSVR goggles later in the year."

It would be nice to know that a manufacturer, like last gen, let a console be the primary focus for 8 years (Xbox360) before introducing another console.

Ppl like to know they are the primary focus of the manufactured for many years when it comes to console sales. No one like to think they paid top dollar for the bargain basement version.

[ScorpiusX]

The part that is annoying me this gen is MS bs talk of its numbers compared to 360 , who cares about that crap.
I want them to be competitive with this gen not last gen and waiting around for a whole ten year generation before doing something is dumb as hell .

[Foehammer]

That's what is called an "apples to apples comparison. 40 Countries to 42 Countries, not 42 Countries to 124 Countries.

That's what share holder care about:

-has the brand expanded...yes, every generation, unlike its completion
-is it profitable...yes

[Godmars290]

Thing is, for all the unconfirmed speculation the Neo could be the PS4 slim.

[Rude-ro]

So what about the people who bought a windows phone, or surface? They are outdated according to which model and every 6 months when they release a new model... Is that the company you are referring to?

[Lord_of_Cinder]

Like they did with kinect

[Obscure_Observer]

@Foehammer

Bravo!

[freshslicepizza]

it makes more sense for sony to have a new system because they want to push ultra bluray format. they also have a much better chance of it succeeding since the ps4 is doing so well. the xbox one will further fragment its audience with an all new updated system. i think its just a slim as well.

[MagicBeanz]

You're right they should just go on like they are for another six years and people can keep bitching and moaning about them being under powered, cause damned if you do and damned if you dont right?

BTDubs, saying "the next five to eight years will likely be more successful" isn't a point of fact its a guess and the next five to eight years could easily see its sales continue to slip.

[RosweeSon]

With microtransactions and the fact you pay to play online they'd be happy if you stayed with the same console for 15-20 years?! Would I no. At the end of the day your paying to play online so shock horror they are happy to let their console float on for 8-10 years... It's making them money £30-40 a year X how many users. I read the it's just over 2 years old. What part is 30 months on the shelves just over 2 years that's 2 and a half years they've barely cleared 20 million and Xbox 360 sold 80+ million in 8-9 years max that's not on target the fact they are still under 20 million sold and taken 2 and a half years they'll need at least another 7 to catch up with Xbox 360? Which will never happen as that sales figure is massively inflated with rebought or replaced consoles. The times of Xbox 360 being the dominate console or Microsoft being the main manufacturer are done.

[Mr Pumblechook]

This website makes the unfounded claim "Seeing as the current Xbox One is just over two years old and its sales are tracking ahead of the Xbox 360."

Considering Microsoft are no longer releasing sales figures for the Xbox One, it is shoddy journalism to make such unsubstantiated claims.

[jb227]

@foe

I'm not sure how anything you quoted somehow disproved what Roswee was saying. Also, you realize you are quoting an opinion piece right? You can't invalidate one person's opinion with someone else's...Roswee's logic is sound. The core gaming community with expendable income (i.e. The target market) will go wherever the power is. If Neo & NX consistently crank out amazing looking games, XBO will have no answer to that kind of performance, short of creating some kind of new box.

I honestly think that MS was going down this route before Sony was...Sony's is most likely the reaction, not the other way around. The person who kicked off this entire talk in the first place was Spencer, just a few short months ago before the Neo was even rumored. MS' plans may have changed into a full Xbox Two or some kind of upgrade able Steam Box, but to just assume that MS will ride this generation out with the weakest console on the market is to disregard their history. Look at the 360, it shipped with a traditional DVD drive & no built in WiFi, when the PS3 shipped with WiFi & a BD drive in the box, MS reacted with the Elite and it's built in WiFi & with the HD DVD drive.

MS doesn't have a history of letting their initial statement be good enough to carry them, and I highly doubt that changes now. If Neo is a thing, rest assured MS will also have some kind of solution in the works, and it won't be a simple Slim console.

[Scottyxboxoneandps4]

@foehammer
"No one like to think they paid top dollar for the bargain basement version." But thats exactly how i eventually felt after choosing the xbox one over the PS4 at the start of this gen. They need an upgraded console badly, cos if they miss the boat, then i would be doubtful of ms future in the console space altogether, and that would be a bad outcome.

[jmc8888]

What people forget though is that the past isn't prologue.

You can't draw a straight line and say, well since we've sold this much, this is how the rest of the generation will go based on last generation.

The more competitors that launch new/updated systems, the more that impacts how well the Xbox One sells.

A year from now the Xbox One might be the 4th most powerful console on the market.

Plus there is simply no way in hell that machines that came in about half as powerful as the 360/PS3 did for what tech was out there when they launched will last 8 years. That's one of the reasons we are seeing a PS4k/Neo to begin with.

Microsoft may have decided to have some pretty crappy years between now and a true new Xbox. If that's their approach, it's fine. We might see something in 2-3 years that will be power wise a good deal above the Neo and NX. But at the same time Sony might just respond then too.

Either way, this generation is nothing like last generation, and simply taking a ruler and a straight line to extrapolate future sales is irrational.

[bouzebbal]

No idea how a slimmer version would do more than the existing.. I mean it's just......the same console with obvious technical limitations, and the more we advance into the years the more irrelevant it will become.
You are talking about 360's 8years lifetime... Do you really think X1 will be around for as long? At this pace there is no competition and i hope for Xbox existance that they are thinking of how to turn the tide around.
The X1 needs a boost in power and a reintroduction, maybe even with another name..
PS4K is going to crush it even more; first it is rumored to be slimmer, and second it will help 4K become mainstream.

[AndrewLB]

I think Microsoft is holding off a bit because the currently available hardware available from AMD isn't adequate for an updated console just yet. I'm not talking about GPU performance, but CPU. Neo is rumored to be using the same Jaguar cores that are in the PS4 which are simply running at a higher clock speed without a die shrink. Thats going to create a lot more power draw and heat. Microsoft is likely looking at AMD's upcoming Zen CPU technology which is going to be light-years ahead in performance and power consumption.

[Foehammer]

@jb227

******Look at the 360, it shipped with a traditional DVD drive*********

I always get a laugh when it's suggested that a product that launched in 2005 should have a feature that wasn't released until 2006.

I assume you must think very high of MS as you expect them to be capable of time travel.

[Kyizen]

Um wrong no one likes obsolute hardware. They arent forcing you to buy a new system but having the option to is nice. Having to get the worst looking and running version of a game is not...

[hardcorehenry]

I'm ready for a new xbox. I'm expecting a slim on top of a brand new console. UWP demands it.

[Soulrakk]

The thing is, the Xbox One is actually more successful than the 360. Sony dominating the market and "crushing" Microsoft is a bit overstated when you're talking pound for pound, apples to apples. Sony is in MANY more countries than the XB1. When you compare them side by side in the 2 biggest markets (UK & US), the difference is not that significant. In no way am I underselling the PS4 though, Sony has done a better job than MS with this gen's console.

[rainslacker]

Sony was always in many more countries with their hardware. So if we're talking pound for pound, why would it being in more countries matter that it's now more successful? It's not like MS is unable to release the X1 in more countries. What's stopping them? If they could be as successful as Sony by doing so, why wouldn't they be doing it? I'm sure publishers who release games in those countries wouldn't be opposed to having more of a market to release to.

[Godmars290]

"It's not like MS is unable to release the X1 in more countries. What's stopping them?"

From what I understand, server support. Even after the DRM plans got derailed, the XB1 is still very dependent on online for functionality. Very likely the PS4 as well.

[2v1]

So MS is a broke POS. Company just admit it hahahah

[_-EDMIX-_]

Agreed. But they could just do both. An upgrade and a slim for the existing sku or do BOTH a slim sku for the original specs and upgraded.

You are right though, they can't just do nothing so I feel the must compete and make an upgrade option.

[2v1]

They want to do nothing lol or else they go the way of the dreamcast bud

[RosweeSon]

Sales tracking I've heard this enough when they release actual figures but I'm sorry it not selling as well as Xbox 360 and won't continue to do so. 360 sold 80 million plus Xbox one will never see these numbers.

[Foehammer]

You might want to go back and look at the financial reports from MS for 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.

Xbox 360 reached 28m shipped in 2008. My guess is they will easily pass that this year.

Or one could just read the current reports where MS points out how much better the X1 is doing.

[RosweeSon]

Why would I look at that... Boring too busy playing games I don't care about sales in the slightest but 28 million is likely a number they may hit much more than that ever unlikely. 30-40 million max this gen for Xbox.

[vegasgamerdawg]

I can tell you read N4G. You take the fanBOY talk as fact, you've no clue what you're talking about..NONE...lol. The X1 is more successful than the 360<---FACT. History teaches, including commons sense , that a lower price increases sales. Enjoy your fantasy world of thinking fanBOY talk is actually truthful. I hope you're a kid, because as a grow up you fail.

[RosweeSon]

It's not a fact because Microsoft have never released sales figures. FACT. I bought at least 3 Xbox 360's brand new at least with White/Elite and Star Wars one. Specially with my white one dying the Elite wasn't much better got repaired twice. I won't be doing that again this generation I may pick up the Xbox one (see what E3 brings other than halo wars 2 gears 4 crackdown 3-which looks ok, and forza 7 or horizon whichever number) I certainly won't be buying the Xbox one 3 times and I'm sure I'm not alone in that some people will swerve it all together but they won't be buying multiple consoles like they did last gen especially in first couple of years due to the things dying.

If a lower price brings sales why after Xbox dropping over £100 off the original asking price for Xbox one are they still waaaay behind ps4? It's not all about the price if what your buying is average. Yet last generation Xbox 360 was way ahead of PS3 especially for the first couple of years however now Xbox one is selling half as many its tracking ahead of Xbox 360 some people are deluded. If it ever did maybe one month it did it won't be for the next 3-4 years they've got the majority of their console sales for this generations there's only so many gamers out there and when 13 million own a Wii u fact as they release actually sales figures and ps4 is 35-40 million and counting don't see where Xbox are gonna keep up with 360 let alone out do it. It's gonna be like ps2 100 mill Xbox/GameCube 15-25 million each.

[ScorpiusX]

A Slim model is a waste of time & resource plus asking for overheating issues.
I rather a whole new console with better Spec and hardware. (who knew people were against improvement)

[Vegamyster]

The PS4 is like half the size of the Xone with better hardware, i doubt a slim model will have overheating issues.

[ScorpiusX]

I wouldn't say half the size ,its hardware is a bit better . As for the xbox one size wasn't it due to some new large fan to keep the system from having heating issues.

[game4funz]

Well my ps4 is super loud even after clean up so not sure about overheating issues

[Vegamyster]

@castillo

It's a good deal smaller.

http://video.newsserve.net/...

@game4funz

Neither my Xone or PS4 are that loud.

[Fin_The_Human]

Did the 369 slim overheat or had any issues?

I remember the 360 slim actually being much more quite.

HVD is right maybe you should get into PC gaming if you want a new console every 2 to 3 years.

[ScorpiusX]

Did the 369 slim overheat or had any issues?
http://n4g.com/news/548213/...

HVD is right maybe you should get into PC gaming if you want a new console every 2 to 3 years.

No thank you , it time console stop falling behind technology and change as it does .

[81BX]

Slim model is a waste of time..... who knew people were against improvement... oh the irony.

[ScorpiusX]

Am always wanting new & improved toys , never been one for waiting or a fan of these lengthy long periods before new systems .

[81BX]

Then get a pc, no? Unless you favor some of the exclusives. I really got my ps4 for uncharted 4 lol

[ILostMyMind]

Control damage.

[GameBoyColor]

Ps4 neo will be a slim too

[DopeTech]

No. It'll be a much more powerful than the Base PS4, deal with it!

[NatFanBoyRestricted]

Sorry, rumors are what they are until it's verified. Even if a few internal parts are over clocked, it's still not that much more powerful.

[Fin_The_Human]

Nope PS4 Neo is a more powerful console compared to the PS4 vanilla.

Sony need more powah to push PSVR.

[SirCharles]

Uhhhhh the psvr has it's own processing block.....

[Fin_The_Human]

Yah I think everyone knows that but its still not enough to compete with the Oculus an a technical level.

Sony has the upper hand in price but the downfall to that is the tech behind it is not as powerful.

[paranoid1971]

@sircharles The so called processor unit for the psvr does two things. It recombines the images to allow it to output to a normal tv and it does some 3D audio processing. All image processing is done solely on the PS4.

http://www.eurogamer.net/ar...

[annoyedgamer]

The PS4 is nowhere near as powerful as the some of the posters on here want you to think. The upcoming PS VR headset will not be able to run properly on the PS4's current hardware, it will need an upgrade. How they will market this to the early adopters is anybody's guess though.

[TFJWM]

Considering people have played games on PS VR on the PS4 and haven't had issues how is it not able to run VR games properly?

[JackBNimble]

Wrong.

Sony has around 35 million ps4s in the world and they know that all they have to do is convince you to buy a psvr . How much of a success do you think psvr will be if you need to buy a ps4k ? Ya, there goes your 35 or 40 million user install base and any chance of it being successful .

If ps4k is real and you need it for psvr , then that would be ( in canadian cash) alot more then the oculus .

[Fist4achin]

I don't understand why people are asking for console upgrades already. I feel like this generation is just now taking off. We have seen slim and more efficient models come out before and that is all what this will be. I look forward to slim models for each of the consoles.

[343_Guilty_Spark]

By fall 2017 it will be 4 years.

[JackBNimble]

That's right , so the ps4 has only been in consumers hand for 2 and a half years and we are talking about upgrading consoles. I will wait for an announcement .

[N0TaB0T]

It's really the same old story. Once these rumors of side-upgrades kicked off people assumed it was something they desperately needed, sounds like a terrible marketing gas for the sake of cheap hype.

[DopeTech]

Microsoft MUST launch a more powerful Xbox One, because with PS4 NEO coming out in maybe October (as some rumors suggested, maybe October or September).

And they MUST announce it at E3 or host an event to announce it or something like that, imagine Digital Foundry's analysis: XB1 VS PS4 NEO, the standard Xbox One will be in a world of trouble and that would make XBOX's reputation worse, EVEN If they announced the new Xbox One, It must be more powerful than PS4 NEO or as powerful just to end the Resolution/FPS thing that have been haunting the Xbox One since the start of this generation, they have to improve their reputation.

Announcing an Xbox One SLIM doesn't make sense when your BIG competition is coming out with a new MUCH MORE POWERFUL PS4, and that would be kinda stupid to be honest, I don't know, time will tell. If they don't announce it the I'll be extremely disappointed.

[Foehammer]

Don't forget the other Digital foundry Face-offs, PS4 vs Neo

How "disappointed" would you be if you thought you bought the manufacturers primary focus only to find out in less than 3 years that you bought the bargain model?

[Rookie_Monster]

Why can't there be both a slim and XB2 announcing at the same time?

[MasterCornholio]

If that's the case then the two will be similar in power. I can't see Microsoft maintain a last gen system for an extremely long time with a completely next gen one on the market.

Just basing this theory on my obersvation of how quickly they stop producing the Xbox 360 once the XB1 was out.

[Fin_The_Human]

I don't get your logic.

The PS4 is already selling better than the XB1 I don't see why the Neo will change anything.

Those who want an XB1 Slim will get and XB1 Slim and those who want a Neo will get a Neo.

[Destiny1080]

250 bucks slim vs the all powerful neo

[Ruggadagod]

Why is the Xbone so large?

[343_Guilty_Spark]

That's what your mom said.

[lastking95]

Shes not use to bbc (big black consoles)

[masterfox]

At this point I don't see any reason to own a xbone, Gears 4 beta was mediocre, Quantum break fails miserably thanks to the damn live show, the chief is death in Halo now, multiplataforms are better in other console options, the hardware specs are seriously old, so whats left ? Cuphead ?. No reasons at all sadly.

[ScorpiusX]

I don't know preference , a choice , and always having an option

[Fin_The_Human]

At this point I don't see a reason to own a PS4....to be honest both next gen consoles have been sh!t and nothing has impressed me.

[SavingPvt_Highon]

This is old news. Phil Spencer already announced XBox 1.5/Xbox next isn't happening. http://www.cinemablend.com/...

[Grilla]

He didn't say it wasn't happening. He said if they're gonna upgrade he wants a big upgrade not a small one.

[PistolsAtDawn]

Seems logical

[fanboysmackdown]

I doubt it, MS is way behind and need to do something drastic. A frickin' slim version does jack shit in that department. I see them bringing out an X1.2 with more guts than the new PS4.

[JackBNimble]

Then why not just start next gen rather then the mediocre 1.5 ?

[MetroidFREAK21]

These consoles should've been more powerful to begin with... Why would I want to buy a more powerful version of a console I've had for sometime now? Uggh, current gen gaming makes me mad

[Lord_of_Cinder]

Slim model or upgraded model, does it really matters? Xbox is competing against an old generation console, the xbox 360, is not even competing with Sony right now for this current generation.

Interesting that Microsoft has always wanted to dominate the market and be number one but now their user base are saying "it is ok with a far second place" and just comparing it to an old generation console.

Would they be saying the same if the Xbox was dominating this generation? Of course not. It would be a whole other story.

[rigo8582]

I have hard time thinking the next xbox one is just a slim. I can't see the Xbox division tolerating the resolution garbage for much longer.

[Haru]

But I thought xbox players don't care about resolution? and the human eye can't see the difference between 720p and 1080p right? lol

[343_Guilty_Spark]

I slim has a slim chance of impacting sales. They need more power.

I mean where is the demand for a slim? If I want another Xbox I'll buy another One on EBay for sub $250 no tax.

[mark_parch]

a cheap slim is a great idea because if your a ps4 owner it makes sense to spend less and get an xbox slim to go with your ps4 instead of spending more just for an upgrade

[Grilla]

As a ps4 owner, I'd be more likely to go for an upgraded xbox vs a slim

[conanlifts]

I still expect the neo to be a ps4 with hdmi 2.0 and 4k uhd blu ray player. In addition they might add the psvr processing units to the console. This would make psvr cheaper for new ps4 adopters.

[opinionated]

Well that wouldn't be difficult since the xbone is the size of a gun safe. A 1980s nasa computer. I bet they could cut the size in half no problem.

[MagicBeanz]

Cause calling it a slim will go over better then calling it a new system, Sony should call Neo a slim so people will get over it, oh that's right that kind of thing only works for Microsoft.

[Gol3m]

If these things actually existed there'd already be preorder opportunities at the local EB games. Don't kid yourselves. Either of these will only be slim models and they will be put next October not this one. When they announce these slim consoles there's going to be a lot of crow to eat by the fanboys attacking the 'rumour' of upgraded consoles. Doom and gloom for Sony, because they're going to piss off their fanbase but yet the same fanboys claim the xbox 1.5 is a great idea. Bloody retarded idiots, all you fanboys are simpleton window lickers

[corroios]

of course it coming. No doubt about it.

[MCTJim]

Phil himself said there is no 1.5 and we all already know its a slimmer and cost reduction model coming out and even maybe the new UHD standard. Same thing goes for the NEO, cost reduction, new standard and maybe the PSVR box built into it.

[Yetter]

My vote is on a slim. Built in kinect mic though so everyone going forward can use Cortana

[theFAYEsorceress]

well, at least it'll make the xb1 even more cheap, so that's a plus. if there's no upgrade, then making it cheaper to compete is about their only other option at this point. i'd finally get one if it was 150-200CDN.

[Yetter]

considering the xbox 360 is 179-249 CDN depending on the SKU, there is pretty much no chance in hell its gonna drop that low

[2v1]

MS so broke they can't afford to keep dumping cash into the sinking ship

[thisgamer503]

lol yeah, MS is broke. Let's all listen to this guy

[LastcenuryRob]

MS certainly does not have to upgrade by year four of the X1. By that time there will be roughly 25 to 30 million X1 units in homes and that means a very large user base for developers to continue making games for. The largest percentage of the console owner demographics are not hardcore gamers. It is casual gamers and even younger gamers. Not rushing out a new system/upgrade could benefit MS if their is a backlash of consumers who are either angry over a new Sony system so soon or being confused having two on the market at the same time. MS would be wise to sit back and see what is under the hood of the NX and the Neo before bringing out a new system. I hope there isn't a new Xbox until sometime between year five and six of this gen.

[spunkee311]

I upgraded to the Xbox One Elite since Game Stop had a killer deal for it. So i'm not as open to again, get another console. But if it truly does have better specs, is a slim, and has a bigger storage capacity then 1TB. I'll consider it.

[babadivad]

I don't want an Xbox 1.5. I've come to terms with the NEO. If Microsoft come with a more powerful console. I want it to be a true generational leap. As long as it is fully BC with current X1 games. I would be %100 percent on board with that.