Xbox Series X Should Keep Running for Years, Engadget Analysis Says
Engadget says the Xbox Series X should receive software support for years and is repairable, as component prices rise.
The console launched in 2020 and has not reached the end of its life cycle. Engadget points to Microsoft's handling of the Xbox One, which came out in 2013 and was still receiving new software updates in 2026, as evidence that the Series X will be supported long after the current generation ends.
Publishers typically stop releasing games for older hardware a couple of years after a new console arrives. Live-service titles such as Fortnite still draw players on previous-generation machines, but few AAA games now appear on the Xbox One. Exceptions last year included Black Ops 7 and Hollow Knight: Silksong. With no firm release date for Microsoft's next console, code-named Project Helix, Engadget says it is difficult to estimate how long the Series X will keep receiving major releases, though new AAA titles seem likely for at least a couple of years.
Two market factors could extend that timeline. Component prices have risen sharply, and Xbox price increases tied to the AI boom have weakened the console's prospects, Engadget reported. Higher prices for next-generation hardware would give owners a reason to hold on to their current machines. Engadget also noted that statements from Xbox boss Asha Sharma to the BBC about Project Helix focusing on affordability are hard to digest given the state of component prices.
Microsoft has separately drawn attention to an all-digital future with its disc-to-digital feature, which converts thousands of physical Xbox discs into digital versions.
Hardware, rather than software, is the more immediate risk. Engadget recommends keeping vents and ports free of dust to protect airflow, and points to an iFixit guide for opening the console and cleaning its heatsinks and internal fan. Microsoft advises cleaning controllers with a soft cloth and an isopropyl alcohol solution. Placing the console in a well-ventilated spot helps prevent overheating, and a console that sounds louder than usual may need a check before it shuts down and displays an overheating warning.
The Series X is relatively repairable when something fails. The disc drive, power supply unit and HDMI ports are the main points of failure. Replacing the power supply, internal storage or antenna boards requires little more than a driver set and patience, while the disc drive needs rudimentary soldering, according to Engadget. HDMI port replacement demands advanced microsoldering skills. Some replacement parts are sold directly by Microsoft, while others have to be found on third-party marketplaces. Microsoft offers out-of-warranty servicing at a fairly steep cost, a service Engadget said will likely be retired at some point.