Xbox Series X: New variant without disk drive reportedly in the works

With the PlayStation 5 Pro all but confirmed to hit shelves later this year, Microsoft also plans to launch some new hardware to keep up with Sony. Unlike the PS5 Pro, which is slated to arrive with a slight price and performance bump, On the other hand, the new Xbox Series X console will be cheaper by $50-$100, reports eXputer. Microsoft will supposedly unveil it between June and July this year. It is a lot sooner than the tentative 2025 release date predicted by an earlier leak.

However, it will launch without a disk drive and come in a white colourway. The lack of a disc drive will allow Microsoft to throw in a larger heatsink to keep thermals in check. Performance-wise, the new Xbox Series X should be identical to the original Xbox Series X because Microsoft confirmed it has no plans to repeat the Xbox One saga with multiple consoles offering varying degrees of performance One might argue it is necessary this time because of skyrocketing performance demands from modern-day AAA titles.

If true, the lack of a disk drive reaffirms the company's gradual shift from physical media to an all-digital, subscription-based distribution model. Furthermore, the new Xbox Series X runs the risk of cannibalizing the Xbox Series S 1 TB model, which retails at $349. Then there's the "new" Xbox Series S model codenamed "Ellewood" to muddy the water further. An eventual price reduction for the vanilla Xbox Series S seems imminent if these new models launch later this year.