Recently, hardware leaker KeplerL2 revealed that the estimated bill of materials (BOM, the cost of purchasing hardware components) for Sony's PS6 is $200 lower than that of Microsoft's next-generation Xbox console, "Project Helix."
Helix reportedly uses a larger and more complex SoC chip paired with higher-capacity GDDR7 memory. Its overall theoretical hardware performance is rumored to be about 40% higher than the PS6, but this comes at the cost of significantly increased component costs. Online rumors suggest Helix's total BOM cost is around $900–$1,000, with industry predictions placing its retail price between $1,200 and $1,800. In contrast, the PS6's BOM cost is estimated at $760–$960, with just the memory and SSD components exceeding $680.
The report analyzes that the cost difference stems from several factors: Helix's custom AMD chip (codenamed Magnus) has a larger die size, more compute units, and higher memory capacity. Helix also includes hardware support for an open third-party app store, adding to component expenses. Meanwhile, the PS6's chip design is more conservative, prioritizing control over overall hardware costs.
However, the bill of materials (BOM) cost does not equal the final retail price. Historically, Sony has relied on game sales and PS+ subscription revenue to provide moderate hardware subsidies for its consoles. If Helix opens up to third-party stores, Microsoft's ability to subsidize hardware using first-party game revenue will be weakened, leaving less room for hardware subsidies. As a result, Helix is likely to be priced close to, or even directly at, its BOM cost.
Rumors indicate that both the PS6 and Helix are targeting a release during the 2027–2028 holiday season. Additionally, Microsoft has a separate Xbox handheld console plan, expected to debut in 2027. Many players have expressed unwillingness to pay over $1,000 for next-gen consoles, meaning high hardware costs could become a shared market risk for both systems.