Xbox is one of the best-selling video game consoles worldwide, with over 86 million units sold in 2021. It’s also considered to be the first major console produced by an American company, competing with Japan’s Sony and Nintendo. Since first releasing Xbox in 2001, Microsoft has released four generations of the popular console.
With several models released throughout its 22-year history, you might be wondering where Xbox is made.
In this article, we’ll answer that question and more. We’ll explore the locations where this beloved game console is manufactured and delve into the process that brings together separate components to create an Xbox.
Where Are Xbox Consoles Made?
Xbox consoles are made in multiple manufacturing facilities in China, Mexico, and Hungary with a facility for final assembly in the United States. It also works with Flextronics, an American company that manufactures electronic products, for producing Xbox consoles.
The first Xbox consoles were produced in Flextronics factories in Hungary, specifically Sárvár and Zalaegerszeg.
However, in May 2002, Microsoft and Flextronics moved the production of Xbox consoles from Hungary to Doumen, China, citing reduced manufacturing costs. The two firms also planned to add new facilities in Asia soon.
Read more information about the partnership between Microsoft and Flextronics in manufacturing Xbox consoles.
If you’re wondering where Xbox 360, Series X, or Xbox One are made, here’s a table listing of all the Xbox models released by Microsoft, along with the year of release and their respective manufacturing locations:
| Xbox Model | Year Released | Country of Manufacture |
|---|---|---|
| Xbox | 2001 | Hungary, China, Mexico |
| Xbox 360 | 2005 | China |
| Xbox 360 S | 2010 | China |
| Xbox 360 E | 2013 | Mexico and Hungary |
| Xbox One | 2013 | China |
| Xbox One S | 2016 | China |
| Xbox One X | 2017 | Manufactured in China/Mexico, Assembled in the US |
| Xbox Series X | 2020 | China |
| Xbox Series X | 2020 | China |
Xbox Manufacturing Facility in Mexico
Microsoft operates a production facility in Guadalajara, Mexico with the help of Flextronics.
The Xbox One X and Xbox 360 E were made in this factory, along with the Xbox One controller and other gaming accessories. It’s also responsible for the final assembly of Xbox consoles, which are assembled and packaged before shipping.
The Xbox production facility in Guadalajara is one of the biggest in Mexico, employing about 2,000 workers and producing millions of units yearly. This factory also rigorously tests and thoroughly inspects the consoles it manufactures to make sure they meet Microsoft’s high standards.
Xbox Manufacturing Facility in China
Aside from a factory in Guadalajara, Microsoft also runs multiple production facilities in China where Xboxes are made, such as in Dongguan and Shenzhen, with the former being the biggest Xbox manufacturing plant worldwide.
The American tech company also established a facility in Shanghai through a partnership with BesTV, a Chinese media firm.
The Dongguan facility produces the Xbox One X, the Xbox One S, and the Xbox One Elite. On the other hand, the Shenzhen factory specializes in the Xbox 360 and its controller, along with other Xbox accessories.
The Shanghai production center is where the Xbox One was made, and it was the first gaming console released in China after the country lifted its ban on consoles.
For more information about Microsoft’s partnership with BesTV, you may check this Microsoft article about BesTV and Microsoft bringing Xbox One to China.
Xbox Manufacturing and Final Assembly in the US
While Microsoft has production facilities in China and Mexico through its partnerships with Flextronics and BesTV, the company also has a factory in Austin, Texas, and a headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The Redmond facility is responsible for manufacturing Xbox controllers and assembling consoles from China.
As the primary production facility for Xbox in the US, the Austin production center opened in 1996 and manufactures the Xbox 360, Xbox One, and HoloLens. This facility also employs 1,100 workers, and it’s one of the largest production centers for gaming hardware in the world.
Discover if the Xbox 360 servers are still up.
Why Did Microsoft Outsource Xbox From Flextronics?
Microsoft’s decision to outsource Xbox production to Flextronics and other companies is driven by several key factors:
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Cost-Effectiveness.
Outsourcing the production of Xbox to Flextronics was a cost-effective decision since Flextronic managed to tightly handle its global supply chains, reducing disruptions and streamlining the manufacturing process. At the same time, Flextronics met Microsoft’s high standards in producing the Xbox. -
Lack of Knowledge & Expertise in Manufacturing Hardware.
As a tech company, Microsoft specialized in software. So when they entered the video game console market, they did not have the knowledge or expertise to manufacture hardware. This situation made the partnership with Flextronics necessary for the production of Xbox. -
Presence of Several Manufacturing Facilities.
Flextronics employed an “industrial park” strategy when it comes to producing hardware, something that Microsoft and other tech companies didn’t have. Flextronics operated several production plants globally, capable of churning out millions of units in a short period. -
Use of Advanced Technology and Information Systems. The two companies also use an advanced, web-based information system to communicate with each other in real time for Xbox production. This system ensures that information is sent quickly and manufacturing errors are reduced.
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Longstanding Relationship.
Finally, Microsoft and Flextronics already have a longstanding relationship. Microsoft already worked with them before in manufacturing smaller hardware, such as computer mice and joysticks. With such a relationship, it makes sense for Microsoft to outsource its production of Xbox to a company it can trust.
Does Microsoft Still Manufacture Xbox One?
No, Microsoft discontinued the production of Xbox One in 2020 to focus on the manufacture and release of newer Xbox consoles, like the Xbox Series S and X. However, the company initially continued the production and sale of the Xbox One S, but then Microsoft also dropped the production of this model in 2021.
When Microsoft confirmed they quietly stopped manufacturing of Xbox Ones, their biggest competitor Sony originally planned to phase out the PS4 at the end of 2021. However, Sony backtracked on this plan and continued producing PS4s until 2023, when it finally retired the console to make way for the PS5.
The Xbox Is Made in Multiple Locations
The answer to the question “Where is Xbox made” is not straightforward. They’re made in production centers in many parts of the world, notably Mexico, China, and the US.
The extensive and diverse global operations involved in Xbox production are a testament to the significant impact of globalization and trade on the gaming industry.
In this article, we learned where Xbox consoles are made and briefly described the roles fulfilled by Microsoft’s production facilities in manufacturing them. We also discovered that Microsoft works with companies like Flextronics and BesTV to deliver the gaming consoles you enjoy playing at home.
