XBOX Series X|S Sales Rebound With 86% June Increase

XBOX hardware sales reportedly increased by 86% year over year in June, marking a rare turnaround for Microsoft’s console business.

Circana analyst Mat Piscatella described the result as XBOX’s best June performance on record. The increase arrived despite recent XBOX Series X|S price hikes and concerns about Microsoft’s long-term hardware strategy.

XBOX Outperformed PlayStation and Nintendo in June

XBOX reportedly recorded the strongest year-over-year performance among the three major console platforms.

Nintendo Switch 2 hardware sales fell by 78% compared with the previous year, while PlayStation 5 sales declined by 43%. XBOX Series X|S remained the only major console platform mentioned as delivering substantial annual growth during the month.

Xbox Series had a good June in the US. Units up 86% vs last June, avg price up as well. Highest US Xbox Series units this year. Last June, Xbox Series was seeing impact of the May price increase and the Switch 2 launch. So, big % growth on a smaller base last year. Still, good month for Xbox Series.

— Mat Piscatella (@matpiscatella.bsky.social) 2026-07-22T13:10:36.123Z

The comparison does not necessarily mean XBOX sold more consoles overall. Year-over-year percentages depend heavily on the previous year’s sales figures, and XBOX started from a lower hardware sales base than its competitors.

Price Increases May Have Encouraged Early Purchases

Expected XBOX console price increases may have encouraged customers to purchase hardware before prices rise again.

Microsoft has already increased XBOX hardware prices in several markets. Further increases could follow as memory shortages and higher component costs continue affecting the gaming hardware industry.

Microsoft may also be prioritizing XBOX inventory in stronger markets, including the United States, where the brand has traditionally performed better.

Upcoming XBOX Games Could Be Driving Demand

Interest in upcoming XBOX releases may also have contributed to the June sales increase.

Forza Horizon 6 could provide a major hardware sales boost, while Gears of War: E-Day and Clockwork Revolution give players additional reasons to invest in the XBOX ecosystem.

Anticipation for GTA 6 may also be encouraging XBOX One owners to upgrade. Rockstar’s upcoming game will not launch on older XBOX One consoles, making an XBOX Series X or Series S necessary for players who want to remain on Microsoft’s platform.

XBOX Hardware Still Faces Major Challenges

The 86% increase does not confirm that XBOX has reversed its long-term hardware decline.

Microsoft still needs to maintain positive sales across the full quarter before the result can signal a broader recovery. Additional price increases could also weaken demand after customers who planned to upgrade complete their purchases.

XBOX continues to struggle in several international markets, particularly Japan. Limited hardware availability and weaker regional marketing have prevented Microsoft from competing effectively with Nintendo and Sony in those areas.

Microsoft Could Expand XBOX Into More Markets

New XBOX leadership appears interested in expanding the brand’s international presence.

Microsoft owns major franchises that could support future hardware and marketing campaigns, including Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, Minecraft, Forza, and Gears of War. Stronger regional promotion around those franchises could help XBOX attract players outside its established markets.

The June increase offers Microsoft a positive hardware result, but the next several months will show whether it represents sustained demand or a temporary spike caused by pricing concerns and upcoming releases.

In other news, XBOX Backward Compatibility has launched on PC, while some XBOX Studios leaders reportedly hold negative opinions about XBOX Game Pass.

Via Windows Central