Katarzyna Petru
Microsoft is preparing for one of the hottest moments in the industry's history — the release of GTA 6 in 2026 — and according to new information, it plans to significantly increase the availability of Xbox Series X|S consoles. This is a response to the challenges of recent years: rising production costs, tariffs on equipment from China, and dwindling supplies that forced the company to raise prices and made competition with PlayStation more difficult.
The production of Xboxes is set to soar. Foxconn and Luxshare are getting in the game
As reported by Reuters, Microsoft is working intensively to build a larger buffer of production capacity. They are being assisted by two giants—Foxconn and Luxshare. Foxconn plans to expand factory capabilities 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" units of equipment per year to the global pool.
This is an important shift 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 stabilize prices and avoid the issues that have long plagued the availability of Xboxes.
Why is it so important?
In recent years, Xbox has clearly lagged 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, in some regions, raised prices to offset import costs.
Microsoft wants the launch of GTA 6 — the biggest hit of the decade, which will immediately boost interest in gaming — to not find the company without equipment on the shelves. For many gamers, this is the moment when they can decide to purchase a new console.
What does it mean for prices?
If Microsoft's plans succeed, the availability of Xbox consoles in the second half of 2025 and in 2026 should noticeably improve. This could practically mean:
stabilization 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 increased prices.
Microsoft Aims to Rebuild Its Position
Increasing production is the first step for Xbox to better compete 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 ready 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.
