What you need to know
- Microsoft has debuted its new Designed for Xbox "Limited Series," a new brand for high-end Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One accessories.
- The new Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal headphones are the first awarded the badge, which promises "premium product quality and design" above other Designed for Xbox products.
Bang & Olufsen recently unveiled its new Beoplay Portal headphones, a high-end gaming headset designed in collaboration with Microsoft, targeting Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. The device, packing leading audio tech and luxury materials, looks to deliver a best-in-class experience, but with a hefty $499 price tag to match. That investment is likely to deter a few, but it carves out a new "premium" class in the growing gaming headphones space.
It's likely not the last, with Microsoft establishing new official branding in tandem with the Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal's unveiling. The company took to its Xbox Wire blog to discuss its new Xbox "Limited Series" badge, described as a "new category of licensed products" that "ensures premium product quality and design." It's an expansion of the existing Designed for Xbox hardware program, designating licensed Xbox peripherals, essentially presented with Microsoft's blessing.
"Tailored to the desires of our fans, the Limited Series Badge guarantees the product soars in terms of quality and design, and adds a bespoke feature set that will take your gaming experience to the next level," Microsoft states. "The Limited Series Badge offers even more hardware choices for gamers to elevate their experience."
The Bang & Olufsen Beoplay Portal is the first and only Xbox accessory under the new "Limited Series," but with Microsoft and its hardware partners expected to debut additional products in time. The badge comes embossed on the packaging for approved items, akin to previous Designed for Xbox products.
It suggests more "premium" accessories soon headed to the console, likely targeting the high-end both in features and build quality. They accompany the Beoplay Portal, and existing devices like the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, in promising the best for gaming enthusiasts.
Bang & Olufsen and Microsoft debut their first Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One headset with best-in-class features and a price tag to match.
