6 years after launch, Xbox Series X and S are still being kept in short supply. If you want to buy a new Xbox Series X or S in the US directly from Microsoft or via 3rd party online stores, you may be out of luck. The scarcity of Xbox Series X and Series S reflects a major imbalance between demand and supply for the current console generation.
Microsoft expands certified pre-owned program to address persistent hardware scarcity
"We are still in a supply crunch," said Xbox head Asha Sharma in a meeting with analysts. Microsoft cannot increase the manufacturing rate of Xbox Series X and S right now to meet the demand. Sharma's statement is important because it puts the supply issue in perspective and removes the notion of a glitch. Instead, it seems like the issue is the Xbox Series X|S production capabilities.
So, what's Microsoft doing about it? Well, they are investing in their refurbished and pre-owned consoles resale program. They're going to provide more certified pre-owned consoles to satisfy the demand for the holidays of 2026. Microsoft is moving away from producing more consoles to circulating the ones already in the market through their official system.
Although Xbox Series X|S are still in short supply, you can still order them in the US. You can find them on the official Microsoft website and other online stores. The issue seems to be that they are available from time to time. There must be some fluctuation in their stock probably due to different regions' distribution and inventory cycles.
Microsoft is now relying heavily on their secondary market infrastructure to manage Xbox Series X|S supply. Microsoft's pre-owned program's expansion offers a solid hardware source to those who can't get their hands on a new one. So, the console ecosystem remains accessible even with production issues.
Source: IXBT
Six years and still no stock. This is a supply chain failure not a demand one.