A next-generation Xbox being jointly developed by Microsoft and AMD could launch in 2027, drawing renewed attention. No official timetable has been disclosed. Comments by AMD Chief Executive Lisa Su (리사 수) confirmed that development of the next console has already entered a concrete stage.

On Feb. 3 local time, IT outlet The Verge reported that Microsoft is developing a next-generation Xbox console in cooperation with AMD, and that AMD is developing chips with a 2027 launch in mind. Su said on an earnings conference call that development of an AMD semi-custom SoC (system on chip) to be used in Microsoft's next Xbox was progressing smoothly so it can support a 2027 release.

Her remarks did not confirm that Microsoft will officially launch a new Xbox in 2027. The industry is interpreting them as a sign that the schedule is becoming more concrete, as AMD is designing silicon and preparing production around that timing. Semi-custom SoCs for consoles typically begin design years in advance, and some analysts say the broad outlines of the hardware architecture are likely nearing completion.

Microsoft and AMD signed a "strategic multi-year partnership" last year and significantly expanded cooperation. The partnership includes joint silicon design not only for living-room consoles but also for handheld devices and cloud infrastructure more broadly. The two companies are also working closely on chips for Xbox cloud gaming servers, and this is being viewed as a strategy that goes beyond console hardware to cover the broader platform.

Microsoft has also indicated that the next-generation Xbox will evolve away from the existing console concept into a hybrid console-PC form. The company unveiled the Xbox Ally device in October last year, suggesting that the Xbox ecosystem will expand to encompass consoles, PCs and handheld devices. Through this, Xbox aims to position itself as a platform that offers the same game experience across various form factors, rather than being centered on a single device.

Sarah Bond (사라 본드), president of Xbox, said at the time that the next-generation Xbox would offer a "very premium" and "high-performance" tailored experience. She stressed that it would go beyond a simple performance increase, changing how it is used. The industry says Microsoft is seeking differentiation through integration with PCs and the cloud, rather than competing in a console-exclusive race.

Separately, views on the launch timing of the next-generation Xbox have differed. Internal documents disclosed during litigation with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission previously mentioned the possibility that the next-generation Xbox could launch in 2028. The documents also included a plan to use a custom AMD CPU and an AMD GPU jointly designed with AMD.

As a result, the market is split over whether the AMD CEO's latest remarks mean the release date has been brought forward, or only that AMD can technically complete preparations by 2027. Still, considering the console generation replacement cycle and the pace of recent changes in the game industry, some see a high likelihood that Microsoft will unveil a next-generation Xbox between 2027 and 2028.