A small handful of leaked images have surfaced of the white Xbox Series X, and if the images are accurate, then Microsoft has chosen to stick with the design of the current console, albeit, while removing the disc drive.
The leaked images of the white Xbox Series X come from eXputer, and show the console off from mostly all angles. You can see the console from both the front and the back and there’s a clear lack of a disc drive. The console does still of course have the power button and USB port on the front for plugging in a controller. And judging from the images all the ports on the back are in the same spot as well.
The only difference, from the outside at least, appears to be the disc drive removal alongside the removal of the disc eject button. All other aspects of the console’s design appear unchanged. This shouldn’t be surprising. There would be no reason for Microsoft to alter the design of the console aside from removing the disc drive. Doing so would mean Microsoft has to spend more money on tooling to manufacture the redesigned console housing. And that wouldn’t make much sense with the company reportedly bringing the new digital Series X to market at a lower price.
The leaked white Xbox Series X has mostly the same components
Other than the disc drive being gone, the new white color, and the rumored lower price, the all-digital Xbox Series X isn’t changing much in any other perceivable ways. It’s mostly the same components on the inside. And it’s not expected to have any enhancements, eXputer says, over the original model you can buy right now.
It will however reportedly come with a new heatsink. This is likely so Microsoft can improve the thermals of the console. It might also help with bringing the costs down. The new heatsink won’t necessarily boost performance. However, it should help with sustained performance. There’s no word yet on an exact release date. That being said, Microsoft hasn’t officially announced the white all-digital Xbox Series X. So there isn’t going to be an official release date until that happens. It is however rumored to be released this Summer.
Microsoft is working on other Xbox hardware
In addition to the new white Xbox Series X, Microsoft is also reportedly working on an Xbox handheld. One that plays games natively and currently has four prototypes that the company is deciding between. There are of course major differences between these two products. The white Xbox Series X is rumored to have a definite release. Whereas the handhelds may never be released.
Still, it’s an interesting look at Microsoft’s strategy for gaming moving forward. It clearly values the popularity of handhelds like the Steam Deck over the past few years and sees a digital gaming future as having a significant place in the market.
