Strong software support and a repairable design should give Microsoft's console a long lifespan. Launched in 2020, the Xbox Series X hasn't hit the end of its life cycle just yet. But with component prices skyrocketing, you might be holding onto it for longer than anticipated. After all, the year's hottest titles like GTA VI are still launching on the console and will continue to do so for the near future.
If Microsoft's treatment of the 13-year-old Xbox One is anything to go by, expect the Xbox Series X to be supported for years after its successor arrives. The last-generation console is still getting new software updates in 2026, which suggests the Xbox Series X will continue to be supported for many years after this console generation is over. Originally launched in 2013, most games continued to launch on the aging console for years after the Xbox Series X arrived. This is a precedent that's been set since the original Xbox, as adoption for new tech can take a while.
This time around, statements from Xbox boss Asha Sharma to the BBC about Project Helix focusing on affordability are hard to digest, given the state of component prices. Higher next-gen console prices will only improve the Xbox Series X's longevity in the market.
Software support is no use if your hardware develops a fault. You'll need to keep an eye on the usual suspects to extend an Xbox console's life. The most basic step you can take is to keep your console's vents and ports clean to keep dust from impairing airflow. Microsoft recommends cleaning the controller with a soft cloth and an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution. Placing the Xbox Series X in a well-ventilated location also keeps it from running into overheating issues, even if it's known to have better thermal performance than the PS5.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing