Based on the tidal wave of rumours and speculation, this year’s E3 will see major hardware reveals from both Sony and Microsoft. The console giants are set to announce new iterations of PS4 and Xbox One, complete with upgraded hardware and potential exterior redesigns.
While the news remains unconfirmed, there's enough smoke out there for many, us included, to feel pretty confident there'll be new hardware revealed this year.
It seems Sony is primed to reveal the PS4.5, but Microsoft has a few different tricks up its sleeve.
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WHAT IS THE XBOX ONE SLIM?
Described as the ‘Xbox Mini’ in a recent livestream by Brad Sams, Microsoft blogger and podcaster, the new console is expected to be announced at E3 2016.
While the Xbox Mini is planned as a basic redesign to release this year, Microsoft is also rumoured to be creating a console with significant hardware improvements.
Much like the PS4.5, these two systems will not mark the beginning of a new console generation, but an expansion of platforms we already know and love.
Sams also went on to say that Microsoft is working on Xbox One streaming devices, also set to be revealed next month. However, these won’t be engineered to play AAA games, but far less intensive indie titles.
"They're going to have two devices, it's going to be one [for] super streamers – think a Roku-style device – and then another device that's going to have more features," Sams said.
"As far as the differentiation between these two devices, I'd imagine the smaller devices will be for streaming only ... but the other device I honestly think is where they're going to start using App leverage. I could see this device sitting in the cabinet and being able to play Windows Store games."
According to Sams, these streaming boxes will cost between $100-$175 at launch.
XBOX ONE SLIM SPECS - HOW MUCH MORE
POWERFUL WILL IT BE?
Tom Warren over at The Verge has said the Xbox One Mini will be “40% smaller” than the original model.
Polygon has reported that Microsoft's second new machine is known internally by the codename “Xbox Scorpio” with an impressive performance target of 6 teraflops. If true, the new console will be four times more powerful than the original, which runs at a modest 1.32 teraflops.
The Scorpio could also support the Oculus Rift, if recent reports are to be believed. According to reports, a major developer is currently working on a VR title for Xbox One to release in 2017. This supports the sources put forward by Polygon, and the Scorpio could certainly handle VR with such specs.
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Sources at Kotaku claim that Microsoft is planning “at least two new Xbox One models for release in the next two years.” This could see us receiving new consoles in 2016 and 2017 respectively, this being the Mini and Scorpio.
According to the outlet, Microsoft’s new consoles will be fitted with a 2TB hard drive and improved GPU. It will also be “capable of supporting the Oculus Rift” if such a feature is ever introduced.
XBOX ONE SLIM RELEASE DATE - WHEN IS IT COMING OUT?
Microsoft hasn’t even acknowledged the existence of Xbox One Slim, let alone a confirmed a release date. If sources at Polygon and Kotaku ring true, we will see new hardware iterations launching in 2017 at the earliest.
The Xbox Mini, which will maintain the same specs as the original Xbox One, is set to be revealed and launched in time for Holiday 2016.
XBOX ONE SLIM PRICE - HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
At the moment there is no pricing information for Xbox One Slim, and whether there will be a major disparity between the current model and future upgrades.
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Microsoft is currently asking consumers to pay £249/$299 for an Xbox One 500GB model, and that’s without any games or fancy extras. Microsoft would be wise to price its new models to compete with Sony’s upcoming PS4.5, which is also rumoured to launch in the coming year.
The Xbox Mini will likely maintain the £249/$299 price point, if it hopes to appeal to consumers yet to pick up an Xbox One. However, the potential 2TBs of storage may see a small price increase.
XBOX ONE SLIM GAMES - WILL THERE BE EXCLUSIVE SOFTWARE FOR THE XBOX SLIM?
Once again, we have no idea. If the specifications put forward by Polygon hold any water, then we may see some exclusive titles in the future. 6 teraflops is an incredible amount of GPU capability, and could easily outperform the original Xbox One.
Whether Microsoft decides to develop games exclusively for this new iteration is still unknown. Such a decision could potentially alienate its current install base, and companies tend to want to make all games accessible on all platforms.
The fact that Microsoft is also launching an Xbox Mini with the original system specs has us doubting the possibility of iteration-exclusive experiences in the future. Granted, some games may pack a harder visual punch on 'Xbox Scorpio' than the smaller, less powerful Mini.
Sony allegedly plans to do this with the PS4.5, which will merely upscale and improve performance on specific games that take advantage of the new hardware.
Would you buy the Xbox One Slim? Let us know in the comments below.
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