Xbox Head Dodges Question on Whether Project Helix Will Have a Disc Drive

Microsoft plans to prioritize affordability and efficiency alongside power for its next console hardware, according to Xbox executive Asha Sharma.

Sharma declined to provide a direct answer when asked by the BBC whether Microsoft’s next-generation hardware will support physical game discs. Instead, she stressed that hardware development requires balancing overall performance with consumer cost and hardware efficiency.

Sharma added that Xbox will adapt to broader economic shifts while working to deliver the “best experience” for players.

Industry trends increasingly suggest Microsoft could phase out disc drives entirely. The company began this shift with its current lineup: the Xbox Series X includes an optical drive, whereas the lower-priced Xbox Series S is an all-digital system. Market research firm Circana also reported that Xbox accounted for only 4% of total revenue generated from new physical game sales in the US for 2026.