Microsoft continues to refrain from releasing concrete sales figures, leaving the total number of Xbox Series X/S consoles sold a matter of speculation. However, a recent graphic published by publisher Take-Two Interactive has sparked renewed discussion, suggesting the console may have performed better than many anticipated.
Following the disappointing launch of the Xbox One and the quickly apparent defeat in the console race against the PS4, Microsoft shifted to no longer publicly releasing specific sales numbers for its Xbox consoles.
the exact number of Xbox Series X/S consoles sold since its November 2020 launch remains unclear. Given the company’s now consistent multiplatform strategy, We see only known that Microsoft appears unsatisfied with the pace of sales.
However, the Xbox Series X and S may have fared somewhat better than previously thought. This is suggested by new data presented by Take-Two Interactive during an investor conference.
Estimates Suggest Nearly 50 Million Xbox Series X/S Consoles Sold
During the conference, the US publisher presented a graphic indicating that approximately 138 million ninth-generation consoles – PS5 and Xbox Series X/S – had reached consumers by December 2025. Sony recently announced that PS5 sales reached 92.2 million units as of December 31, 2026.
Because the graphic from Take-Two Interactive does not specify the exact date the console sales figures were recorded, an estimation can be made that 90 to 91 million PS5 consoles were sold up to the time of the survey.
This would, in turn, suggest that Microsoft managed to sell between 47 and 48 million units of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S. Take-Two Interactive cites market research firms such as IDG Consulting, Newzoo, and Sensor Tower as sources for these figures.
While these numbers offer a potentially more optimistic view than some previous estimates, it’s crucial to remember that they are based on analyst projections, not confirmed figures. Other sources present significantly lower sales figures for the Xbox Series X/S. For example, hardware leaker KeplerL2, analyzing AMD’s Semi-Custom Business Units, concluded that Xbox Series X/S sales were under 30 million units as of the end of 2024. Only Microsoft knows the true figures.
the 47 to 48 million figure remains a very optimistic estimate that many are likely to question. The discrepancy highlights the difficulty in accurately tracking console sales in the absence of official data from Microsoft, a strategy the company adopted after the Xbox One generation.
The shift away from reporting unit sales reflects a broader change in Microsoft’s approach to the Xbox ecosystem. The company now prioritizes its subscription services, like Xbox Game Pass, and overall platform engagement over raw hardware numbers. This is a strategic move, recognizing that revenue streams are increasingly diversified and not solely reliant on console sales. However, it also creates a significant information gap for industry analysts and observers.
The reliance on third-party estimates, like those from Take-Two Interactive and VGChartz (VGChartz estimates 34.1 million units worldwide as of late 2025), introduces inherent uncertainty. These firms employ various methodologies, and their accuracy can vary. The figures often represent “active installed base” – the number of consoles currently in use – rather than total units shipped, providing a different perspective on market penetration.
Recent reports (Thurrott.com suggests fewer than 30 million units sold through November 2024) indicate a potential slowdown in Xbox Series X/S sales, particularly compared to the PS5. Price increases for both consoles over the past year likely contribute to this trend. The Xbox Series S, positioned as a more affordable entry point, has been a key component of Microsoft’s strategy, but its lower price point also impacts overall revenue per unit.
the true sales figures for the Xbox Series X/S remain elusive. While Take-Two Interactive’s data offers a potentially more positive outlook, it’s essential to interpret these numbers with caution and acknowledge the inherent limitations of relying on estimates. The ongoing success of the Xbox platform will likely depend less on console sales and more on the continued growth of its subscription services and the strength of its game library.
