The planned Xbox Series S hardware refresh featuring machine learning capabilities has been canceled due to concerns over SKU saturation and marketing issues, according to recent rumors.
Reports from RedGamingTech indicate that the refresh was set to include an RDNA 3-based GPU, increased specs, more RAM, and advanced machine learning features specifically for upscaling. However, the project was scrapped early in development, leaving the APU incomplete. A refresh for the Xbox Series X was also in the works but was abandoned even earlier than the Series S.
Sources close to the project revealed that Microsoft and developers were worried about saturating the market with multiple SKUs, which could lead to various complications. Additionally, marketing concerns arose regarding the upgraded Series S, as it would have been challenging to promote a console more powerful than the base model but not on par with the Series X.
While the cancellation of the Xbox Series S refresh is still unconfirmed, the reasoning behind it seems justified given Microsoft’s focus on the Xbox Series X as the mid-gen upgrade and the Series S as the standard console.
As the current console generation nears its end, Sony and Microsoft are already developing new gaming systems that promise significant improvements over the current models, albeit potentially at a higher cost for consumers.
