Next Xbox is “premium” and echoes ROG Ally, says Bond

Sarah Bond calls the next Xbox a “very premium” console.
She says you can “see some of the thinking” from the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds.
It could feature Xbox/PC hybrid and broader storefront support.

Xbox president Sarah Bond has given the clearest steer yet on what the next Xbox might be. She describes it as a "very premium, very high-end curated experience", and says Microsoft's handheld partnership with Asus - the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X - shows "some of the thinking" behind it. Put together, that reads like a console with PC-style flexibility, a higher price bracket, and fewer walls between stores - though Microsoft has confirmed none of the hard details yet.

What Bond actually said

Bond didn’t confirm specs or features. But her wording matters.

“Very premium, very high-end curated experience.”
“You’re starting to see some of the thinking that we have in this handheld.”
Context: comments came amid rumours of an Xbox/PC hybrid.

Bond’s quotes set expectations rather than numbers. “Premium” signals pricing and positioning above today’s Series X, while “thinking” tied to the ROG Xbox Ally suggests Windows-style openness and multi-store access—core traits of those handhelds. Microsoft has not formally announced price, specs, or date.

Why the ROG Ally link matters

ROG Xbox Ally handhelds are effectively portable Windows PCs with full store freedom. That philosophy could influence a living-room box.

Ally devices access Xbox app, Steam, Epic, and GOG.
Microsoft leadership has talked about third-party stores on Xbox before.
A premium console could justify higher cost with PC-like flexibility.

If Xbox leans into Windows-first ideas, it can compete on library breadth, not just exclusives. VGC also points to Phil Spencer’s past comments about bringing other storefronts to Xbox—mirroring how Windows already works. That would be a big shift from closed console shops and aligns with the Ally approach.

Hybrid rumour watch (and what’s credible)

Bond's statement lines up against recent reports: a pricier, possibly stronger box than PS6, and hybrid behaviour that plays both Xbox and PC store games. None of this is confirmed by Microsoft.

Rumours mention a console/PC hybrid concept.
Talk of multiple storefronts keeps surfacing.
“Largest technical leap” was teased by Xbox back in 2024.

Treat the hybrid angle as informed speculation. The only on-record bits are Bond’s “premium” and “ROG Ally thinking” lines—and earlier leadership interest in more open storefronts. Those signposts align, but they’re not a spec sheet.

What we still don’t know

There are more blanks than answers right now.

No CPU/GPU details, RAM, storage, or thermals.
No official release window or UAE pricing.
No confirmation on third-party store access or a “hybrid” OS.

The safe read: Microsoft wants to sell a pricier, more flexible Xbox that borrows from Windows handhelds. Until specs land, judge the plan by the signals—premium positioning and Ally-style thinking—not the louder rumours.

Is the next Xbox confirmed to be a hybrid console?

No. VGC notes hybrid rumours, but Bond didn’t confirm that—only that it’ll be “very premium” and shares “thinking” from the ROG Ally handhelds.

Will the next Xbox support Steam or Epic Games Store?

Not confirmed. Phil Spencer has previously said he's open to third-party stores on Xbox, which matches the Ally mindset, but nothing official for next-gen hardware.