Xbox One X sales could reach 4 million units in 2018

Microsoft will have the fastest console in the world when it launches its new Xbox One X next month, but just how many consoles will Microsoft ship in 2018?

According to Lewis Ward, IDC Research Director for Gaming and VR/AR: "No, the XB1X won't be enough for Microsoft to catch up. It should give PlayStation 4 Pro a run for its money in 2018 in the United States and the United Kingdom, however. I'm projecting about four million XB1X consoles shipped from Q4 2017 through the end of 2018, and about five million PlayStation 4 Pro consoles shipped in the same timeframe".

Ward continued: "The way shipments break down globally, however, that implies a very tight race in the United States and the United Kingdom".

But what about the $499 price on Xbox One? Ward isn't worried about that, where he said: "Well, they may well be losing money on the hardware out of the gate. Our component teardown suggested a retail price of at least $600. So yes, it's expensive relative to traditional home console norms, and yes, that will cause some people not to buy it, but given the hardware specifications I think $500 is a great deal".

Microsoft will be releasing the new Xbox One X on November 7 for $499 in the US.