Low-power & cheaper Xbox Series S next-gen variant leaked

It looks like Microsoft’s second next-gen console has leaked. Similar to the Xbox One S, Microsoft is apparently planning to start next-gen with a two-pronged approach. The Xbox Series S is looking to become a more affordable and less capable option for value-oriented gamers who won’t get the full Series X experience.

The leak comes via a Twitter user who somehow got his hands on a next-gen Xbox controller. The packaging of said controller notes that the controller supports Xbox Series X|S. This naturally opens up the doors to believe that there will be two next-gen Xbox consoles.

It wouldn’t be a real surprise, however, since early insider rumors suggested that Microsoft was planning to launch two versions of their next-gen Xbox systems as far as two years ago. The Scarlet versions turned out to be the Series X variant that is a no-compromise monster in terms of hardware.

In the same vein, the Series S is likely what was known as Lockheart up until now. The naming tradition gels well with the current-gen offerings who also separated between the cheap and more powerful SKUs as X and S.

With the next-gen systems launching this Holiday season, there really isn’t much time left for Microsoft to formally unveil the Series S. Industry insider Jeffery Grubb claims that we’ll get exactly that within the next three weeks.

Exciting times, with platform holders offering more options for customers than ever before. Sony has already shown a fully digital discless PlayStation 5 and Nintendo has cheap handheld-only Switch Lite. With the Xbox Series S, fans of the Xbox are looking to get an option to play next-gen games even if it is to be expected that aspects like resolutions, framerates, and possibly more are going to take a hit.