The rumor of an Xbox handheld has been floating around for months, but up until now, not much was really known about Microsoft’s launch plans for the hardware. A new report suggests that Microsoft is looking to launch such a handheld in the latter half of 2025.
Handhelds are all the rage these days, and with the popularity of options like home console/handheld hybrids like the Nintendo Switch, as well as the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally X, and others like Lenovo’s recently launched Legion Go S, it’s likely this popularity will continue. These are all PC gaming handhelds, though. So what about proper handhelds from the likes of Microsoft and Sony?
Sony has the PlayStation Portal, which is limited to streaming content from your PS5. It also has rumored plans of launching a handheld that plays PS5 games natively. Microsoft, for its part, has talked about doing a handheld. However, there have been nothing more than rumors and a confirmation that the Xbox team is considering making such a device. The latest rumor sheds more light on what Microsoft’s plans look like. It’s not exactly what you might think.
Microsoft plans to launch an Xbox handheld later this year
An Xbox handheld is an exciting prospect for fans of the platform. It’s something fans have wanted for a while. But what exactly does that look like in practice? According to a new report from Windows Central, it’s supposed to be launching later this year. That’s if everything goes according to plan. The report states that Microsoft is working with a manufacturing partner to make the handheld.
So the hardware doesn’t sound like it’s being made completely in-house. It’s also noted that there is a strong possibility the device will be running Windows. If that’s true, then this will be more of a handheld gaming PC than an actual handheld Xbox device. The handheld, which is reportedly codenamed Keenan internally, will have Xbox branding and official Xbox hardware, such as “an Xbox Guide button” and other Xbox design elements.
The handheld will also potentially focus on presenting Xbox Game Pass and the Microsoft Store as the “front and center” elements for accessing games.
Microsoft may also plan to launch the next Xbox console in 2027
In addition to the handheld slated for this year, the next Xbox console could be coming in 2027. The rumor states that Microsoft is looking at launching a successor to the Xbox Series X as a “premium option.” This suggests that Microsoft may not launch a less powerful variant of its next-gen console in the way of the Xbox Series S, instead focusing on one piece of hardware with more powerful performance.
The company also reportedly plans to launch several new controller options. Microsoft is said to be keeping its commitment to making games backward-compatible so owners of the next-gen console can play their older games, too.
