Fresh market data from VGChartz through November 2025 provides a revealing look at the current trajectory of Microsoft’s gaming hardware.
According to the tracking service, the Xbox Series X|S surpassed two million units sold in 2025. While this figure exceeds earlier projections of roughly one million, the year-over-year performance highlights a challenging landscape. Compared to 2024, when approximately 4.8 million units were moved, sales have plummeted by 45%.
A primary driver of this decline appears to be the significant price hikes Microsoft implemented for both Xbox Series X and S models over the last 12 months. Total lifetime sales for the hardware family are currently estimated at 34.1 million units. For context, the PlayStation 5 has reached a dominant 86.1 million units. Meanwhile, the original Nintendo Switch sits at 152.7 million—including four million this year—while the newcomer Nintendo Switch 2 has already reached 12.4 million units despite its much shorter time on store shelves.
The cooling demand for Xbox hardware mirrors the slowdown seen with the original Switch, yet the context differs. While Nintendo’s dip is a byproduct of a maturing platform, Microsoft’s traditional home consoles are increasingly being sidelined by the company’s broader ambitions.
Throughout 2025, Microsoft pivoted its focus toward ecosystem growth beyond dedicated hardware, investing heavily in the ROG Xbox Ally, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and the PC sector. While the Series X|S remains the flagship experience for many, Microsoft’s strategy is clearly evolving toward a platform-agnostic future. Industry speculation suggests that the next iteration of the Xbox may shift even further, potentially adopting a “console-PC” hybrid philosophy.
Source: iXBT.games