The Xbox One S isn’t just a redesigned console that’s smaller and quieter. Along with it is its controller, which, with a host of minute refinements, makes for a better experience. And it seems that Microsoft India has more faith in the latter rather than the former.
According to several retailers speaking to Gadgets 360, the Xbox One S Controller is making it to India soon while plans for an Xbox One S console launch will materialise next year. While no price has been announced, stores have been told to expect a price between Rs. 4,000 and Rs. 6,000 for the Xbox One S controller - on par with the Dual Shock 4 controller for the PS4, and similar to what the original Xbox One controller launched at. These possibly include Gears of War 4 edition controllers if listings on Microsoft India's website are to be believed.
(Also see: Xbox One S Review: Worth the Upgrade?)
The reasons for bringing in the controller first, are two-fold. For one, sources tell us that Microsoft India is keen to have it supplant the Xbox 360 controller that’s been a mainstay for PC gamers for almost a decade in India. It makes sense considering that Microsoft’s global strategy is to push games that follow Xbox Play Anywhere - which allows fans to play games on both the Xbox One and Windows 10 PC.
The other, which is an open secret at this point, is that the Xbox One hasn’t exactly sold as well as it should have, what with an online-only distribution strategy that just saw wider retail availability officially two months ago.
(Also see: Microsoft Finally Admits You Don't Need Amazon, Flipkart, or Snapdeal to Buy an Xbox One in India)
So if you were holding off in the event that Microsoft India launches the Xbox One S console this year, you may have to wait a bit longer. Unless of course, you prefer buying it via the grey market or importing it yourself. Keep in mind that doing so would result in no local warranty. We’ve reached out to Microsoft India for comment and will update this story the moment the company replies.
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