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I’m beginning to think the next Xbox will be sold like a cell phone.

The Verge •
October 23, 2026 • 05:27 PM
• By Sean Hollister
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Late yesterday, I laid out five ways Microsoft can try to make lemonade out of RAMageddon, but one feels likelier to me now readers have weighed in: the cell phone subsidy model. In the K-shaped economy, wealthier buyers could buy an “unlocked” Xbox, but most could get it “free” with 36-month (or longer!) subscription. But I also think many will reject that and stick with what they already have. [Link: The next-gen Xbox won’t cost you $1,800. It can’t. Can it? | https://www.theverge.com/games/1016134/xbox-helix-price-1800-isnt-affordable-editorial | The Verge]

I’m beginning to think the next Xbox will be sold like a cell phone.

Late yesterday, I laid out five ways Microsoft can try to make lemonade out of RAMageddon, but one feels likelier to me now readers have weighed in: the cell phone subsidy model. In the K-shaped economy, wealthier buyers could buy an “unlocked” Xbox, but most could get it “free” with 36-month (or longer!) subscription.

But I also think many will reject that and stick with what they already have.

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