Xbox Series S Console From Microsoft Confirmed In Controller Packaging Leak

The long-rumored name for Microsoft’s second, cheaper next-gen Xbox console seems to have finally been confirmed courtesy of a packaging leak.

The Verge has obtained photos of Microsoft’s new next-gen Xbox controller in white, complete with packaging that mentions the Xbox Series S. Twitter user Zak S was able to purchase the controller today, and The Verge has confirmed its authenticity.

The new white controller was sold on a resale site with the side of the packaging noting that it works with both the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles. To date, Microsoft has not officially unveiled an Xbox Series S nor has the company confirmed a white controller for the Xbox Series X.

Since the next-gen Xbox Series X was first discussed by Microsoft as “Project Scarlett” at the E3 2019 press conference, only the black controller, similar to this generation’s Xbox One, has been touted by the company. This has been the case even when the look of the console was first seen at The Game Awards 2019.

A mysterious white Xbox Series X controller also appeared online last month, complete with the new D-pad, textured triggers, and new share button. This new leak matches the previous controller leak, and retail packaging suggests that these could be appearing in stores soon.

The Xbox Series S has been given the codename “Project Lockhart” and has long been assumed to be the cheaper alternative to the Xbox Series X. A Microsoft document, leaked back in June, shed some further light on the company’s plans for two next-gen consoles.

Microsoft’s Xbox Series X devkit, codenamed “Dante,” allows game developers to enable a special Lockhart mode that has a profile of the performance that Microsoft wants to hit with this second console.

The Lockhart console is expected to include 7.5GB of usable RAM, around 4 teraflops of GPU performance, and ship with the same CPU found on the Xbox Series X, The Verge reports.

Just as the rival PlayStation 5 from Sony will offer both a unit with a disc drive and a cheaper digital-only alternative, it would seem that Microsoft also wants to offer a more affordable alternative for its next-gen console.

The Xbox Series S is rumored to be Microsoft’s big revelation for this month and will likely play a big part in the company’s Xbox All Access subscription plans that bundle an Xbox console and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (Xbox Live and Xbox Game Pass) for a monthly fee.