Will Project Helix be produced by ASUS and MSI as well? New clues about Xbox made by hardware partners
Recently, Microsoft confirmed a new home console, code-named Project Helix, and the related collaboration with AMD for a custom chip. Doubts about a platform succeeding the Xbox Series X seemed to have dissipated, but new rumors present a somewhat different picture.
It seems that the hypothesis of a platform being created and customized by third-party manufacturers cannot be ruled out.
The information comes from the well-informed Kepler_L2, who stated on the Neogaf forum that the chip would not be "that customized" after all, at least not like that of the PlayStation 6, which will only be accessible via the Sony-branded platform. In the case of Project Helix, Microsoft's offering would only be a reference design.
At the heart of the project is a next-generation SoC developed by AMD in collaboration with Microsoft. This chip will include support for FSR Diamond, an advanced upscaling technology that utilizes Neural Rendering algorithms and AI acceleration to enhance visual quality and performance.
Current information suggests that the Helix SoC has been developed with a more open ecosystem in mind. This aspect would allow hardware partners to develop proprietary variants of the system, differentiated by design, cooling, and additional features. A bit like we've seen with ROG Xbox Ally, but this time extended to more partners beyond just ASUS.
Naturally, this does not mean that the chip will be available as a standalone component. Users will therefore not be able to purchase it separately to assemble a customized platform independently: access to the SoC will remain tied to complete devices, designed directly by Microsoft or its OEM partners.
As mentioned, this does not take away from the fact that Microsoft will offer a custom design. After all, a new Xbox has already been confirmed. Simply put, according to the leaker, the Redmond company would like to expand the offering and provide its community with more alternatives, likely with different price positioning.
This situation mirrors what we've seen with Series X and Series S. Both platforms were launched simultaneously and feature different technical specifications: the former represents the high-end model, while the latter is a less powerful entry-level variant without an optical drive. Relying on third-party manufacturers would simplify and expand segmentation to cover most market segments.
However, it is reasonable to assume that all models will share the same SoC. It will likely be cooling systems, memory amounts, or other features that will change. This would maintain a consistent profile for developer optimization, while offering more flexibility for users.
At the moment, though, this is simply speculation and nothing has been confirmed yet. Of course, these are plausible hypotheses considering the path Microsoft has taken in the gaming sector, but it is not certain that the information will prove correct.