Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. News

Microsoft discontinues the Xbox One X, Xbox One S All-Digital Edition

Don Reisinger
By

As Microsoft prepares to launch its Xbox Series X this holiday season, it’s decided to shelve two of its current-generation consoles.

Recommended Videos

Microsoft discontinued the Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital Edition, the company told The Verge in a statement on Thursday. Microsoft called the move a “natural step” as it prepares for the next generation of consoles, but added that consumers will still be able to buy the hardware while supplies last.

Related

The Xbox One S, unlike the All-Digital Edition, offers disc support, and it will remain in production and continue to be sold around the globe.

“Gamers can check with their local retailers for more details on Xbox One hardware availability,” a Microsoft spokesperson said.

Microsoft’s Xbox One X and Xbox One S All-Digital Edition have been hard to find in recent weeks. The All-Digital Edition is already sold out on Microsoft’s Xbox site, and GameStop is only selling the consoles in-store.

Microsoft hasn’t said why it discontinued two of its consoles but kept the Xbox One S in production, and has not yet responded to a Digital Trends request for comment. We will update this story when we hear back. The company also hasn’t provided insight into why it shelved the consoles now. Last generation, Microsoft discontinued the Xbox 360 in 2016 — nearly three years after the Xbox One launched in 2013.

The Xbox Series X is slated to launch this holiday season. It could be accompanied by a long-rumored but unconfirmed disc-less alternative called the Xbox Series S.

Xbox chief Phil Spencer has said on several occasions that Microsoft’s next-generation hardware will work with games made for all four Xbox generations. That, along with a desire to clear its manufacturing line to produce more next-generation units in time for the holidays, could have been enough for Microsoft to discontinue its consoles now.

Indeed, all signs point to a strong debut for next-generation hardware. Just this week, Sony reportedly doubled its PlayStation 5 forecast and now wants to produce 10 million PlayStation 5 units by the end of the year. According to those reports, Sony expects video game hardware demand to be strong this winter as people around the globe stay inside while the pandemic rages on.

Updated at 11:56 a.m. PT to include more details.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger
Don Reisinger is a freelance technology, video game, and entertainment journalist. He has been writing about the world of…
Xbox says its next console will be gaming’s ‘largest technical leap’ ever
Xbox Series X on a table.

During today's Xbox Business Update, Sarah Bond, president of Xbox at Microsoft, reaffirmed the gaming company's commitment to hardware. She confirmed that Xbox is already looking ahead to its next console, which she teases will be a major technical leap.

The news came at the end of a 22-minute podcast where Xbox shared its vision for the future. The panel, featuring CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer, Bond, and Matt Booty, president of game content and studios, addressed rumors that Xbox would be bringing its games to other platforms and ditching hardware. While there was some truth to the first point, as four unnamed Xbox exclusives are headed to other consoles, the hardware rumors weren't correct.

Read more
Every rumored Xbox exclusive coming to PS5 and Switch
Living room with Microsoft Xbox Series X (L) and Sony PlayStation 5 home video game consoles alongside a television and soundbar.

The video game console market is about to see its biggest shakeup since Sega stopped producing hardware. Xbox's Phil Spencer says that the company will share a "business update" with players next week outlining a new vision for the brand. That news comes after a month of rumors that claimed that some of Xbox's biggest exclusives would be coming to other platforms, including PS5 and Nintendo Switch. The unconfirmed reports sent Xbox loyalists into a panic as fans brace for a possible future where Xbox just produces software instead of physical consoles.

We don't know what's true yet, as credible reports have been lumped in with speculation. Some details seem plausible, while rumors that Xbox will stop making systems altogether are closer to educated guesses. We'll learn more in Xbox's business update, but until then, we've rounded up a list of every Xbox exclusive that's reportedly going multiplatform. Take it all with a grain of salt until Spencer and company unveil the full picture.
Starfield

Read more
The best Xbox Series X games for 2024
Key art for Starfield

After an uneven console cycle with the Xbox One, Microsoft's latest consoles are aimed at getting the ship back on course. The Xbox Series X is a next-generation powerhouse that rivals gaming PCs, while the Xbox Series S is an affordable stopgap for those who are curious about trying new games.

There's no shortage of games to play on either console thanks to Xbox Game Pass, which gives players immediate access to a library of titles old and new. That built-in catalog is an extra value on top of all the new games available on the system that take advantage of its impressive technical specs. When it comes to first-party exclusives, the Series X is still growing. Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 gave a good boost to the console's library following a somewhat sparse first year. More games are also on the way. Microsoft's Bethesda acquisition will bring exclusives like Starfield and the potential addition of all Activision Blizzard games would further bolster that list, but the console's real strength lies in third-party support.

Read more