Katarzyna Petru
Microsoft is preparing for one of the hottest moments in industry history — the release of GTA 6 in 2026 — and according to new information, it plans a massive increase in the availability of Xbox Series X|S consoles. This is a response to the issues of recent years: rising production costs, tariffs on equipment from China, and dwindling stocks that have forced the company to raise prices and complicated competition with PlayStation.
Production of Xboxes is set to soar. Foxconn and Luxshare are entering the game
According to Reuters, Microsoft is working intensively to build a larger buffer of production capacity. Two giants - Foxconn and Luxshare - are set to help. Foxconn plans to expand factory capacities by as much as 4.8 million devices per year, including not only Xbox Series X|S consoles but also controllers and other accessories. Meanwhile, Luxshare is preparing its own production lines, which will also add "several million" pieces of equipment per year to the global pool.
This is an important change in strategy - Microsoft wants to move a larger portion of production to Vietnam, which is quickly emerging as a new hub for consumer electronics. Lower tariffs, reduced costs, and greater flexibility are expected to help the company stabilise prices and avoid the issues that have long plagued the availability of Xboxes.
Why is it so important?
In recent years, Xbox has clearly fallen behind Sony in terms of console availability. The PlayStation 5 returned to stores faster after global component shortages, while Xbox often recorded declines in sales and raised prices in some regions to offset import costs.
Microsoft wants the launch of GTA 6 — the biggest hit of the decade, which will immediately boost interest in gaming — not to catch the company without stock on the shelves. For many gamers, this is precisely the moment when they can decide to purchase a new console.
What does this mean for prices?
If Microsoft's plans succeed, the availability of Xbox consoles in the second half of 2025 and in 2026 should clearly improve. This could practically mean:
stabilisation of Series X|S prices,
more promotions in stores,
lower risk of fluctuations caused by import costs.
In other words: the more consoles there are on the market, the harder it will be to justify their elevated prices.
Microsoft aims to rebuild its position
Increasing production is the first step for Xbox to compete better with PlayStation at a crucial moment for the entire industry. The release of GTA 6 could trigger the biggest console boom in years — and Microsoft intends to be prepared for it. If the plan with Vietnam and new suppliers works out, Xbox could get back on track and regain some of the market share it has lost in recent years.
