Between theSwitch 2 , theSteam Deck , and even thePlayStation Portal , handheld play is bigger than ever . Despite having someamazing games on the Xbox Series Xand S , console sales this generation have been lackluster at best . Xbox has made a band of gamble to attempt to bide competitive , such asGame Passand making the biggest skill in gage account with Activision Blizzard , but the question still remains how it will oversee to regain its bridgehead in the industry after falling so far behind . One musical theme that has been teased many times concerns a dedicated Xbox handheld machine that has many fan intrigued . Phil Spencer and the Xbox team are still play coy with many details , but we do get laid a bit about what a likely Xbox handheld could be .
This is just one of manyupcoming video biz consolesyou should be in the know about .
Release speculation
In aninterview with Bloomberg , Microsoft Gaming chief operating officer Phil Spencer give a few interesting choice morsel about Xbox ’s plans for a handheld . He state that the “ expectation is that we would do something ” regarding handhelds and that the company is currently investigate what that would exactly be through prototypes . However , the straightaway goals for the squad involve ameliorate the Xbox app for be devices . “ long full term , ” Spencer said , “ I know us building machine . And I recollect our squad could do some real innovative work , but we want to be informed by discover and what ’s happen now . ”
The late report fromWindows Centralhas source claim that the Xbox handheld might arrive as ahead of time as 2025 if all run to plan .
Xbox handheld rumors and news
Windows Central ’s Jez Cordon claims to have insider information about a possible Xbox hand-held announcement , though it does more or less contradict what Spencer said subsequently . According to Cordon on theXbox Two podcast , “ I do n’t think you ’re gon na see computer hardware at The Game Awards , but , I do believe next year is a good class for reveal new computer hardware . specially hardware you could hold in the decoration of your hand . ”
The Verge , account from CES 2025 , publisheda story on a roundtable interview title “ The Future of Gaming Handhelds,”that included some interesting inverted comma from Jason Ronald , Microsoft ’s VP of “ Next Generation . ”
“ We ’ve been really innovate for a long time in the console space , and as we partner across the industry it ’s really about how do we bring those innovations that we ’ve cover and develop in the console infinite and get them to microcomputer and convey them to the hand-held gaming space , ” aver Ronald .
Microsoft has made efforts to move Xbox apps to microcomputer and handhelds over the past year — something Roland say we should expect more of over the next yr as the fellowship plugs by at its own handheld .
Windows Central once again catch the scoop with a lot of item on the handheld from a unmediated source . Apparently , the project is work under the codename Keenan and will most belike run Windows to allow approach to the Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass , but also Steam . Microsoft is partnering with a PC gaming OEM , such as ASUS , Lenovo , or MSI , to build this Xbox - branded handheld rather than make it altogether on its own . It is said to be more of an experimentation for Microsoft for thing like Windows 11 “ equipment mindful ” capabilities . By building this handheld more nearly to Windows than any other console table , the Bob Hope is that it will cut down on the effort needed from maturation team to embrasure games from PC to the handheld .
Price, hardware, and design
In terms of design , the Windows Central theme only put forward that the system will be “ unmistakably Xbox ” and have a dedicated Xbox guidebook button and a worldwide design motif that is uniform with Xbox . While we do n’t know the internals , the reputation also implies that the arrangement will use a whatsis system to allow users to adjust various option like rooter speed and TDP .
There ’s no information to go off for the real substance of what an Xbox handheld could be . That have it impossible to even judge at thing like toll without first know how powerful the machine itself will be . In terms of design , most hand-held consoles have fallen into a fairly consistent form factor since the Switch , and Xbox would likely not stray too far from that . Until we see otherwise , we imagine it will look very similar to something like Steam Deck .
