Microsoft is reportedly preparing a second, lower-cost next‑generation console that it plans to reveal in August, according to industry reports. The device, internally known as “Lockhart,” is expected to be marketed as the Xbox Series S and to launch alongside the more powerful Series X later this year.
Sources indicate Microsoft originally planned a June announcement for Lockhart, timed with industry events, but that schedule shifted. The company had intended to reveal the cheaper model during the E3 period; however, there was no E3 this year and remote work disruptions delayed several projects, pushing the unveiling to August.
What the hardware is expected to be
Developer kit documentation for Xbox Series X game creation reportedly references Lockhart, suggesting the console is a confirmed project. According to reporting from The Verge, Lockhart should run the same game library as the Series X but with performance limitations.
Key technical differences said to distinguish Lockhart from Series X include identical processors but reduced memory and a scaled‑back GPU. Lockhart is expected to offer 7.5 GB of usable RAM versus 13.5 GB on the Series X, and a GPU around 4 teraflops compared with 12 teraflops on the higher‑end model.
Target performance and developer tooling
Microsoft reportedly plans developer kit support that includes a special Lockhart mode, enabling studios to optimize titles for the lower‑end hardware. The company’s performance targets for the device are games running at 1080p and 1440p, contrasting with the 4K target for Series X.
Price and launch timing
There is currently no reliable information about Lockhart’s price. Observers expect Microsoft to announce pricing at the August presentation, reasoning that revealing a less powerful console without a clear pricing strategy would be unlikely.
