Microsoft may be preparing to “initiate the peace talks” and blur the line between console and PC gaming.
According to Windows Central, the company could unveil its first OEM Xbox PC in 2026, marking a dramatic shift in how we experience Xbox hardware. While rumours remain unconfirmed, the prospect of a hybrid device signals a future where consoles as we know them may fade away.
What we know so far
Reports suggest that Microsoft could be revealing their new Xbox hardware this year, with the OEM Xbox PC positioned as the frontline act.
The device would likely run Windows with the Xbox Full Screen Experience, similar to the recently launched ROG Xbox Ally handheld, which combines PC flexibility with console-style navigation.
Windows Central cautions that “time will tell” whether the reveal pans out, but the publication claims to have worked through credible rumours pointing to a 2026 release. Poor sales of the Xbox Series X and Series S in 2025 may have accelerated Microsoft’s push toward a PC‑console hybrid.
Controllers and next-gen ambitions
Alongside the OEM Xbox PC, sources indicate that Microsoft will launch the Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 in 2026, with potential revisions across the controller line-up.
Xbox president Sarah Bond has already teased that the next-generation Xbox will be a “premium, high-end console experience,” hinting strongly at a PC‑like hybrid rather than a traditional console.
The timing checks out
The timing plays well with broader industry rumours. Sony is reportedly targeting a 2027 release for the PlayStation 6, with leaks pointing to AMD-powered hardware designed to avoid the shortages that plagued the PS5.
If both Xbox and PlayStation shift toward PC‑style systems, the traditional console cycle could be nearing its end.
Opinion
I still remember the first time I played my PlayStation 1, or the Atari I got to test from my uncle. However, as technology advances, handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally prove that players want flexibility. A branded OEM Xbox PC would take that idea further, offering the familiarity of Xbox with the openness of Windows. If Microsoft delivers, the “death of consoles” could be the start of a more unified gaming future.
Yes, I will miss traditional consoles, but it looks as if the “PC master race” meme is slowly becoming a reality.
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