Xbox One: Microsoft developing slim and 4K models for release in 2016 and 2017

Microsoft is working on "at least" two new Xbox One models for release this year and next, according to a new report. It claims a slim model will be released later in 2016, with a more powerful version of the hardware coming in 2017.

Kotaku writes that the slim model will be announced during Microsoft's E3 2016 press conference, while the more powerful 2017 model is codenamed Scorpio and houses a more powerful GPU capable of supporting 4K. One source told the website that the device will also have a 2TB hard drive – twice the size of the current largest available.

Sources in game development told Kotaku they have concerns about 4K gaming on the console as there's no current plan to update the speed at which a console transfers assets from disk to hard drive, meaning games in 4K would suffer from lengthy load times.

The planned hardware revisions form part of Microsoft's plans for a more "iterative approach" to their consoles. Sources told the website that the company plans an incremental model "with more frequent hardware releases and games that are both forward and backwards compatible across both Windows 10 and different Xbox models".

This would be in line with Xbox boss Phil Spencer's comments at an event in March. He said at the time: "I look at the ecosystem that a console sits in and I think that it should have the capability of more iteration on hardware capability." He also revealed plans for closer ties between gaming on Xbox One and gaming through Windows 10. This move, according to a Kotaku source, is being referred to as Project Helix.

Microsoft aren't the only ones planning new hardware. A series of reports earlier this year revealed the existence of a new PlayStation 4 model in the works at Sony. Codenamed Neo, the device will be more powerful and is predicted to be announced ahead of the PlayStation VR's October launch.

Eyes, as ever are on both company's conferences at E3 2016.

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