Xbox Series X: Is new, cheaper console being launched to undercut PlayStation 5?

Xbox Series X is still scheduled to launch this year, meaning the PS5 vs Xbox Series X debate will be raging on for quite some time – lucky us. 

Of course, there have been plenty of rumours suggesting a less powerful, more affordable version of the Xbox Series X, codenamed Lockhart, could offer an alternative to the more premium console.

Windows Central has rounded up the rumours, and with plenty of information unfolding, it looks like May could be a big month for Xbox fans. 

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According to the site, the Lockhart console is likely to be a "4TF [teraflop] "entry-point" to next-gen gaming", suggesting it'll replace the Xbox One X (a console with 6TF of power and that still retails for around £250 - £300).

That's not to say that Lockhart will be underpowered compared to its predecessor, with Windows Central claiming that it'll likely offer "NVME loading speeds and perhaps some limited ray-tracing" but also confirming that this isn't necessarily a guarantee.

According to the article, the console could be showcased in May – which means we may be able to find out about it before what would have been E3. That also lines up with Windows Central's reporting that a Surface event is also due next month.

In fact, Twitter user @capitaorumor (who has in the past correctly reported on Xbox-related leaks) has suggested the Xbox Series X's more affordable counterpart could be the Xbox Series E. While Xbox One has had both S and X revisions, the Xbox 360's cheapest model was known as the Xbox 360 E – a smaller console that launched as a cheaper alternative to the Xbox One back in 2013.

Windows Central also reports that Microsoft could be developing a new fully wireless Xbox-branded headset, perhaps in the mould of its Surface Headphones, while also noting that while the 2014 Xbox Stereo Headset was an entry-level option, its successor could just as likely be "aspirational" – i.e, expensive and high performance.