“Brooklin” was the codename for a real Microsoft proposal to refresh the Xbox Series X, not a new Xbox generation or an announced retail console. Leaked documents described a cylindrical, disc-free model with 2TB of storage and efficiency-focused changes. Microsoft later released different Series X refresh models; the exact Brooklin design and specification combination did not appear as planned.
What was Xbox “Brooklin”?
Brooklin—spelled with an “i”—was an internal codename for a proposed mid-generation Xbox Series X revision. It belonged to a broader Microsoft hardware roadmap that also included Ellewood, a proposed Xbox Series S refresh, and Sebile, a redesigned controller. Brooklin was not the codename for the next Xbox generation. Game Informer’s report on the court documents described the Series X refresh and controller plans.
How the Brooklin plans became public
The information surfaced in September 2023 through documents connected to the FTC v. Microsoft litigation over Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. An internal presentation dated May 2022 was exposed through a court filing. The documents were genuine Microsoft materials, but an authentic internal roadmap is not the same as a final product announcement: the presentation was already old when it became public, and Microsoft said plans could change. Ars Technica’s report details the leak and its proposed schedule.
What the leaked Brooklin proposal included
The presentation described a redesign focused on storage, connectivity, power efficiency, and appearance rather than a major leap in game performance.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
- FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL XBOX — Experience next-generation performance with 12 teraflops of processing power, delivering smoother gameplay, richer worlds, and faster responsiveness than any previous XBOX.
- TRUE 4K GAMING UP TO 120 FPS — Enjoy breathtaking visuals with true 4K resolution, HDR, and frame rates up to 120 FPS, plus hardware-accelerated ray tracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 1TB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 1TB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF GAMES — Play thousands of games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX, with many titles enhanced for better visuals and performance on XBOX Series X.
| Feature | What the leaked proposal said |
|---|---|
| Design | Cylindrical enclosure shown in internal renders; not a confirmed production design. |
| Storage | 2TB internal SSD. |
| Disc drive | None; the proposal was all-digital. |
| Front port | USB-C with power delivery. |
| Wireless | Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2. |
| Chip process | A proposed move from 7nm to 6nm. |
| Power | The documents reportedly projected a 15% smaller power supply and a standby mode using about 20% as much power as the existing standby mode. These were internal-plan claims, not independent measurements. |
| Gaming target | 4K “Gen9” console gaming; no clear major CPU or GPU performance increase was specified. |
| Price | $499 proposed target, not an announced retail price. |
| Schedule | Late October 2024 projected launch, according to the old roadmap. |
The 6nm reference did not, by itself, mean faster games. A smaller chip process can support lower power use, heat, or manufacturing costs, but the leaked material did not establish a substantial increase in graphics capability. Ars Technica characterized the plan as a refresh rather than an Xbox One X-style performance jump.
Why the missing disc drive mattered
Brooklin’s all-digital design would have changed how owners used their games and media, not just how the console looked. It would not read physical Xbox game discs or UHD Blu-rays. Players with disc libraries would have needed to repurchase eligible games digitally or keep a disc-equipped Xbox available; digital ownership of every title is not automatic, since backward compatibility depends on supported titles and licensing.
Rank #2
- What's in the box: Xbox Series X console, 1 Xbox Wireless Controller - Carbon Black, Ultra High Speed HDMI cable, Power cord.
- Equipped with AMD's Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architectures, DirectX ray tracing delivers true-to-life lighting, shadows and accurate reflections to create dynamic, living worlds.
- Memory: 16GB GDDR6 w/320 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 10 GB @ 560 GB/s, 6 GB @ 336 GB/s; Internal Storage: 1TB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: True 4K; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; High Dynamic Range: Up to 8K HDR; Optical Drive: 4K UHD Blu-Ray; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
- Bundled with HDMI_Cable
- Disc-free means no buying used discs, lending them, or reselling them.
- Existing disc games could not serve as licenses on the proposed Brooklin itself.
- UHD Blu-ray movie playback would not be available.
- Digital purchases, subscriptions, and account-based licenses would become more important.
The leaked material did not establish support for an external disc drive, so buyers should not assume one could be added later. Microsoft’s Xbox Series X product page distinguishes the all-digital and UHD Blu-ray-equipped models.
Was Brooklin a more powerful Xbox Series X?
There is no evidence in the leaked specifications of a conventional “Pro” model with a substantially stronger GPU or higher frame-rate target. Brooklin was better understood as an efficiency- and feature-focused revision: a new enclosure, more internal storage, newer wireless standards, and lower-power ambitions. Calling it a next-generation Xbox or a confirmed performance upgrade overstates what the documents said.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsRank #3
- BEST VALUE IN GAMING — Experience next-gen speed and performance in the smallest XBOX ever. The XBOX Series S delivers powerful all-digital gameplay in a sleek, compact design.
- UP TO 120 FPS GAMEPLAY — Enjoy smooth, responsive gaming with frame rates up to 120 FPS, powered by XBOX Velocity Architecture, a custom NVMe SSD, and DirectX Raytracing for a heightened level of realism.
- 512GB CUSTOM SSD AND XBOX VELOCITY ARCHITECTURE — Reduce load times dramatically with the custom 512GB NVMe SSD and XBOX Velocity Architecture, enabling lightning-fast performance and seamless world streaming.
- QUICK RESUME — Seamlessly switch between multiple games and resume exactly where you left off. No more waiting through title screens and loading bars.
- FOUR GENERATIONS OF DIGITAL GAMES — Play thousands of digital games from XBOX Series X|S, XBOX One, XBOX 360, and Original XBOX with backward compatibility. Many titles are enhanced for better visuals and performance. Smart Delivery ensures you always get the best version for your console.
What was the Sebile controller?
Sebile was the codename for a controller associated with the leaked roadmap. The proposal reportedly included a two-tone design, haptic feedback that could function as speakers, an accelerometer, quieter buttons and thumbsticks, a swappable rechargeable battery, updated wireless and Bluetooth capabilities, and cloud-oriented connectivity features. The roadmap placed it ahead of the console, potentially in May 2024, at a proposed price of about $70. These were leaked plans, not confirmed retail specifications; Microsoft’s official 2024 console announcement did not identify a controller as Sebile. Game Informer summarized the reported controller features and pricing.
What Microsoft actually released in 2024
On June 9, 2024, Microsoft announced three Series X|S options for the holiday season. The Series X models shared some of Brooklin’s broad ideas—digital-only play in one model and 2TB storage in another—but differed in important ways. Microsoft said the new consoles had the same speed and performance as the existing models. Microsoft’s announcement gives the models, U.S. estimated retail prices, and regional availability caveat.
Rank #4
- What's in the box: Xbox Series S 512GB console, 1 Wireless Controller, High Speed HDMI cable.
- CPU: 8X Cores @ 3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz w/SMT) Custom Zen 2 CPU; GPU: 4 TFLOPS, 20 CUs @1.565 GHz Custom RDNA 2 GPU; SOC Die Size: 197.05 mm2.
- Memory: 10GB GDDR6 128 bit-wide bus; Memory Bandwidth: 8GB @ 224 GB/s, 2GB @ 56 GB/s.; Internal Storage: 512GB Custom NVME SSD
- Gaming Resolution: 1440p; Performance Target: Up to 120 FPS; HDMI Features: Auto Low Latency Mode, HDMI Variable Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync.
| Category | Leaked Brooklin proposal | Official 2024 Series X options |
|---|---|---|
| Shape | Cylindrical render. | Series X tower-style design. |
| Digital or disc | All-digital. | 1TB Robot White was all-digital; 2TB Galaxy Black included a disc drive. |
| Storage | 2TB. | 1TB digital model or 2TB Galaxy Black model. |
| U.S. announced price | $499 target in the old internal plan. | $449.99 U.S. ERP for 1TB digital; $599.99 U.S. ERP for 2TB Galaxy Black. |
| Performance | No major increase indicated. | Microsoft said the models had the same speed and performance as the existing lineup. |
| Timing | Late October 2024 projected in the leaked roadmap. | Holiday 2024 release window announced by Microsoft. |
The official products therefore confirmed related product directions, not Brooklin as leaked. The white digital Series X was not the 2TB cylindrical console in the presentation, while the official 2TB model retained its disc drive and carried a higher U.S. announced price. Microsoft did not publicly announce a retail console branded Brooklin or state that every element of the proposal had been canceled.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Who would have wanted the proposed Brooklin?
It suited digital-first players
- Players who buy games digitally or rely heavily on Game Pass.
- People who wanted 2TB of internal storage without immediately adding an expansion card.
- Buyers more interested in a redesigned, potentially more efficient console than a performance increase.
It was a poor fit for physical-media owners
- Players with Xbox One or Series X disc collections.
- People who buy used games, lend games, or resell them.
- Owners who use a Series X as a UHD Blu-ray player.
The proposed 2TB figure described installed capacity; it did not establish how much space would remain available for games after system software and reserved storage. Microsoft’s later 2026 price notice said its 2TB model would be sunset, a subsequent lineup change rather than evidence about whether Brooklin itself was released. Microsoft’s June 2026 pricing notice announced price changes effective August 1, 2026 and the planned sunset of that model.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
