Microsoft has not disclosed official sales figures for the Xbox Series X|S consoles for a long time. However, some numbers have become known thanks to a former corporate employee—and they shed light on why the company likely avoids public reports.
The launch of the Xbox Series X|S looked promising: the first months showed strong demand, and analysts seriously expected fierce competition with Sony. However, the initial momentum quickly faded.
According to Mark Stanley, former Vice President of Global Expansion and Hardware at Microsoft, over 12 million Xbox Series X|S consoles were sold in the first 18 months (until the end of 2022) across more than 40 countries. This result seemed respectable—especially considering the global semiconductor shortage and scalper activity.
However, the subsequent trend proved disappointing. According to 2024 estimates (including data from Take-Two Interactive), the total sales of Xbox Series X|S reached approximately 27 million units. Furthermore, in 2025, Microsoft managed to sell only about 1 million consoles—a figure clearly indicating a sharp decline in consumer interest.
For perspective: as early as September 2022, Sony reported selling 25 million PS5 consoles. Since then, the gap between the platforms has only widened, essentially turning into a significant chasm.