A packaging label for an unannounced next-generation Xbox controller appears to list compatibility with a device called “Series S,” providing what many see as confirmation of a second Xbox console alongside the Series X.
The photos, shared on Sunday, November 9 by a user identified as “Zak S” on Twitter, show the controller’s compatibility list. In addition to iOS, Android, Windows 10, Xbox One and Series X, the box explicitly names Series S.
What the packaging reveals
The controller was purchased from a resale site for US$35 (about R$190 by direct conversion) and has not been announced by Microsoft. The seller’s listing and the box text indicate the accessory supports the unannounced Series S, which would imply the console exists even though Microsoft has not confirmed it.
Implications for product rollout
The controller’s appearance in resale channels could mean retailers will start offering hardware or accessories tied to the unannounced model soon. The controller’s standard color shown with the announced console is black; this leaked unit was not advertised by Microsoft prior to the resale listing.
Background on the rumored second console
The alleged second console has been associated with the Lockhart codename. Lockhart is said to be a lower-cost, lower-power variant intended to preserve many of the next-generation improvements while reducing price and energy consumption.
Development kits for the overall Scarlett platform reportedly include two modes: Anaconda and Lockhart. Anaconda corresponds to the Series X hardware revealed by Microsoft, while Lockhart has not been publicly discussed by the company. Developers can allegedly switch the devkit between modes to test performance across both configurations.
Reported specifications and timing
Previous reports have estimated Lockhart’s performance at about 4 teraflops and roughly 7.5 GB of RAM, compared with the Series X’s roughly 12 teraflops and 13.5 GB of RAM. Microsoft has not acknowledged the second console, but some sources expected it to launch alongside the Series X later in the year unless plans change.
The possibility of an additional model has also been used to explain Microsoft’s trademark filings for the “Xbox Series” name.
Source: The Verge
