The whole prospect of an Xbox handheld is starting to feel very real now! Yesterday, it was reported that Xbox is seemingly planning a first-party handheld for sometime in 2027, and a branded partner handheld for later this year.
With that in mind, we're starting to think about what we're hoping to see from an Xbox handheld when either of them release in the future. The first-party version and the branded version will probably be quite similar anyway - we're guessing Microsoft will be using the branded one to inform the decisions that go into making the first-party version.
So, let's get into this! We've picked out five things that we think an Xbox handheld needs to include when it releases, and here's hoping they'll all be crammed into the 2025 branded version - we want an excuse to buy hardware this year!
Xbox Series S Comparable Performance
It's been noted how an Xbox handheld could have a big potential advantage over a Sony competitor thanks to the already-existing performance target for Xbox Series S games, although admittedly that's probably more the case for the first-party handheld in the future - rather than the branded one that will apparently arrive later in 2025.
The branded one will probably just be based around the Xbox app on PC, but even so, it's going to need comparable performance to the Xbox Series S anyway. PC handhelds are getting more powerful all the time, and slapping an Xbox sticker on it won't be enough - it's going to need to be a beast to compete with everything else on the market!
A Dedicated Xbox Interface
Much has been made of how clunky the Windows experience can be on PC handhelds like the ASUS ROG Ally, and Xbox has actually set a goal to bring a console-like experience to these systems in 2025. It's clearly a big focus for the team, and we're assuming the branded Xbox handheld will mark a debut-of-sorts for this new Xbox interface.
Of course, the Xbox PC app features a "compact mode" that's designed for handhelds specifically, but a dedicated Xbox handheld needs something like Steam OS - an easy-to-use dashboard that pushes Windows bloat to the background.
Battery Life That Can Sustain Long Trips
The biggest problem with PC handhelds has arguably been the battery life, especially when it comes to AAA titles. It's inevitable that games like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle are going to struggle to last for anything more than a couple of hours at a time, but the results have typically been much more varied when it comes to indie games.
Nobody's expecting Xbox to suddenly start getting 6-7 hours out of AAA titles with a handheld right now, but if some of the indie games on Xbox Game Pass can last that long, you've suddenly got a device that can sustain long trips. Not everyone will use an Xbox handheld just for travel purchases, but if you've already got a Series X or S at home, the allure of a long battery life makes it much more feasible to carry an Xbox on vacations, work trips and other getaways.
An Xbox Play Anywhere / Backwards Compatibility Focus
Xbox Play Anywhere is an amazing service that Microsoft just doesn't advertise very well for whatever reason. If you haven't heard of it, it basically allows you to buy a game on your Xbox console and get the PC version for free on the Xbox app, meaning it's the perfect complement to owning both an Xbox console and a PC-based Xbox handheld.
Fans have discovered that Xbox Play Anywhere supports well over 1100 games right now, but Microsoft needs to do way more to make us aware of these. This is a feature that should be front and centre of the branded handheld that's rumoured for 2025 - think of all the PC games that you might already own without knowing about them!
And then, if Xbox is planning to add support for console games as part of its dedicated first-party handheld that's rumoured to arrive in 2027, it surely needs the ability to run all backwards compatible games available on console too.
Competitive Price, With Plenty Of Official Accessories
It goes without saying that any Xbox handheld will need to be priced competitively. Xbox boss Phil Spencer mentioned recently how selling $1000 consoles wouldn't build the market for the brand, and the same can obviously be said of any potential handheld - although we know that these devices are often priced pretty high when they first launch.
Alongside a competitive price tag, we're really hoping to see Microsoft go all-in with an Xbox handheld in terms of things like official accessories - cases, docks and whatever else might be in the pipeline. That should end up being the case, especially thanks to the "Designed for Xbox" program that's brought us plenty of great accessories in recent years.
It's obviously still very early days right now and we don't have any official confirmation of an Xbox handheld as things stand, aside from the odd suggestion from Phil Spencer that Microsoft is working on something behind the scenes.
It certainly looks like we're going to be getting at least one device and probably multiple devices over the coming years though, so here's hoping they stack them with enough great features that they end up proving too good to pass up!
What do you want to see from an Xbox handheld? Let us know down in the comments section below.
Comments 42
It all comes down to price. Steam deck wasn't huge success because it's so damn expensive.
You forgot the most important thing: dedicated exclusives.
It will be a niche product especially the 3rd party one but it's still very exciting.
I wouldn't count on either handheld selling like crazy but each will make the xbox brand/ecosystem more attractive. I'm guessing there will be a wide variety of xbox branded devices from both 1st and 3rd party.
Any handheld would have to support your library of owned games. But of course if you have many physical games then they would need some kind of workaround so that you could download to the handheld via the home console where the disc would provide the license. code which could be wirelessly transferred to your handheld device.
It could be possible. with some clever programming.
it would be a game changer that would entice more purchasers of such a handheld.
I rest my case Microsoft. Get it sorted.
For me it's simple quit simple, since I sold all my xboxes I would get sold in a Xbox Handheld ONLY if it has attractive price and full support with the Xbox OS Library, that means I can freely play my current Xbox collection, God how I miss my OG/360 classics...my sweet PZ Orta...
There are already certain points that have been confirmed:
for battery life and competitve price, we will see
We could add other important and confirmed points as well:
@Dalamar73 I don’t even think it’d match Steam Deck sales tbh.
@fatpunkslim Being speculated by a grifter isn’t nowhere near a “confirmation” it’s happening.
The handheld PC market has made a lot of noise but has made very little real impact on the market. I don't see the Xbox branded handheld making any in-roads in that.
As for a fully fledged Xbox in your hands - the console needs to be a simple pick up and play device, with a good screen and decent battery life. It needs to be comfortable for long play sessions too and the sticks need to be pretty much drift proof and that all has to come in at a reasonable price.
And it still won't sell well.
The only thing I want from an Xbox handheld is for it not to interfere with mainstream game releases on my Series X (or whatever the equivalent is when it launches.)
Other than that I don't care as I will never buy one as I have no need for such a device.
@Dalamar73 Yeah it’s very hard to imagine that people will flock into buying an Xbox handheld just because it says Xbox or has Game Pass as those devices already exist with the Rog Ally, Legion Go or several other options only without the Xbox branding and they just haven’t lit up the market on fire at all, it seems that even native access to Game Pass ain’t enough for most people to buy one of those options over a Steam Deck.
And speculating even further if Microsoft continues this path of self destruction the Xbox brand itself will become tarnished sooner rather than later, why get the dubious brand that doesn’t even know what to do instead of a Steam Deck where you know you can play your library on any capable PC and they have actual respect for the end user…
An Xbox branded OEM isn't going to sell anything. It's just another PC handheld.
Even if Microsoft had an Xbox handheld that played our actual library of games (Which is what it needs), they are already confusing people by branding a PC handheld an "Xbox". Unless I can play my digital library of Xbox games on it, it's not an Xbox.
Not saying they shouldn't do it, but they really needed this product out by now. The steam deck created and owns this market, and steam os being open to other platforms is going to reduce the need for a Windows based handheld system. Steam os has had years of testing and polishing and I have a hard time believing microsoft can deliver a better handheld experience out of the gate.
Agree with all except the first. Personally I want it to be a streaming device and not a hardware on device platform, though I know phil has said he must have that as a feature.
As such though, im hoping they release a switch level powered device with a focus on streaming which allows a long battery life, a very lightweight design, and affordability.
@TheGameThrifter
Depends on how its done. Currently no pc handheld has the level of integration that the ps portal has. If they give it a custom interface that taps right into remote play or gp without having to fiddle around and install or customize things, it could be a winner.
Remember that many of us out there dont want to do anything other than turn on the platform and play. I can do it, but I dont want to. My steam deck is a paperweight because i have to click into things. My portal is press n go.
@Dalamar73 in fairness no one in the history of handhelds has ever been close to Nintendo handheld numbers. Nintendo is simply unbeatable in that area. Has been and likely forever will be.
But Steam Deck is only sitting at a little over 3 million in sales. I think the Xbox handheld can easily out pace that. Not to mention that is the lifetime sales of Steam deck which is what 3 maybe pushing 4 years old at this point.
Provided any PC handheld is powerful and well crafted (ergonomics, control devices/surfaces, OLED screen), I would consider buying it. Some Xbox native compatibility could be added later. The Steam Deck is great, but I don't bother attempting to run many demanding games on it.
Another sticking factor is that I don't want to end up collecting these things. The Steam Deck count is already at two, and it is my first portable console ever.
@Dalamar73 that makes sense i think the last time i seen Steam deck numbers it was like 3.78 million or so. But yeah i do agree with you that the Xbox handheld likely will be fairly niche. I can’t see it exploding to insane sales. If the Switch 2 is fairly good at most games i would want to play on a handheld. I think that would be enough for me. As even when i was a little kid, i never got into handhelds all that much. They were here and there for me. I even owned the PSP and Vita and barely used them. I am excited to see what MS comes up with of course and i am sure the nerd in me will at some point snag on. But it won’t need great battery life for me as gaming on the smaller screens for the type of games i like won’t see much action.
I look forward to hearing more about this handheld 😺
I won't buy it unless it features a bespoke console experience (no Windows interface/bloat) and features backwards compatibility with OG Xbox and 360 games.
honestly the rog ally is pretty great I have both versions. and a car plug and some extra batteries.
I just did a 12 hour trip from where I live to the west coast for a funeral and it was great.
but I play games like pillars of eternity, tavern keeper or kynseed on long trips. playing no Man's sky and 7 days to die on it while plugged in is great.
I just don't see what an Xbox handheld would do better especially with the cloud gaming expanding to non game pass games.
the one feature that would be great is being able to pay for a wireless account for it like my watch.
Too late and i wonder how they gonna reach Series S performance in handheld formfactor? Repurposing the Series S silicon is out of mind, too much power hungry. Designing new silicon for that is waste of money. The only cost-effective solution i can think of is using off-the-selves HX370 or something that has 890M/780M iGPU but compared to Series S APU, they have significantly different architecture not to mention if they are truly comparable in the first place. Wonder how that gonna work out...
@VoidPunk PC gets a ton of games consoles don't usually.
@VisitingComet1 it probably wouldn't do anything better. Except have a more user friendly interface. But as long as it allows you to run Windows 11 like the Asus Rog Ally. You get all the benefits of running nearly all types of games from all store fronts even from Playstation & Nintendo. Then you have emulators as well.
As for how it will sell. It be probably be marketed at first to be a Switch 2 competitor by Microsoft & the media. Be more readily available than it's handheld PC competitors in stores. So could do well.
@i hear ya on that. I don’t game on my iPhone at all. No interest. I do play my Switch Oled in bed on rare occasions. Mostly just Mario Kart or something basic to kill 30 mins to an hour. So i am with you. But Xbox handheld should muster up enough sales to make it worthwhile for MS. But never can say. Hardware seems to be an area they are really struggling in. The rest of the Xbox platform is killer in my opinion.
Totally agree with these features. 110%. I'm more curious as to whether the 2025 model will be cloud-based and forward compatible. I'm all for getting a handheld, but price is a factor and they really need to make sure they nail it right. The 2027 model needs to be like the S. Affordable, powerful for its price, and have a fairly decent storage capacity (I'd say same as the S) for native play. This could be a game changer for MS.
@Justifier If they are aligning themselves with the Ally which is looking more and more likely then it will be more expensive than the Steam Deck for sure. You can get a base Ally for a similar price as the top model SD, but the battery life is garbage. If you want an ALLY X the you are talking more expensive than a PS5 Pro so I can't see this landing well.
The portal got flak at launch but I think they have nailed the price point by making it a bare bones streaming device.
I think some people haven't understood the advantages of a portable Xbox console with native Windows and a gamer-friendly interface inspired by Xbox consoles:
Compatibility: The Steam Deck is still about emulation via Proton, which runs Windows games on Linux. This leads to compatibility issues with certain games.
Performance: Linux can never truly rival native Windows. With native DirectX, the performance on a portable Xbox console would be superior. Additionally, certain DirectX12 features aren't supported by Proton. In terms of both performance and graphical quality, the result would be better.
Dedicated Interface: A simplified and optimized Xbox interface would ensure a smooth user experience. Currently, portable consoles using Windows don't offer an optimized user experience. This is another area where portable Xbox consoles would have an advantage.
Complete Xbox Ecosystem: Easy access to all Xbox ecosystem features: Game Pass, Play Anywhere, cross-save, backward compatibility, maybe even Quick Resume.
Hardware Advantages: This is speculation, but such a console would naturally be more powerful than what's currently available, given that it would be more recent. Beyond that, I think Xbox would also focus on battery life.
In short, the Steam Deck can't compete with a portable Xbox console simply because they've chosen a different path, with a Linux-based OS and a vision that's very focused on Steam and PC. A portable Xbox would blend the worlds of consoles and PCs with a more open and gaming-optimized system in terms of performance, graphics, and user experience.
Tbh, I've gone back and forth on this one a lot. I would consider buying an Xbox branded handheld PC to replace my Xbox home console if it docks. But then I run into the issue of wanting to play my disc-based 360 and OG Xbox games, which likely won't happen on a hypothetical handheld from MS. In some ways, it makes sense for me to get one, but in many others it really doesn't. I guess I'd have to see it in action before making any kind of guess.
@fatpunkslim I sort of agree with some of your points but they don't tell the whole story.
Compatibility: Proton has 17,934 compatible or verified games and many more that play fine but aren't listed. An Xbox handheld isn't likely to come close to that as it will almost certainty be a cut down Windows to save CPU cycles and will have it's own compatibility issues just as every Windows version does with older games.
Performance is often slightly better on Windows, i've seen studies show around 5-10% at the same TDP, but there is a trade off.... battery life drops off significantly on Windows devices even at the same TDP.
I agree on your points about Dedicated interface & Xbox ecosystem.
Hardware Advantages: It will be better. But how much better? We are still hamstrung by the same battery technology and this is the largest limiting factor for handhelds. You can add better hardware (like in the ROG Ally etc.) but they have to use more power to see advantages and battery life plummets. When it's running the same power 10W or 15W it's only slightly more powerful. The alternative is putting in a larger battery, but that makes the unit heavier and bulkier.
But a newer process node should help. Steam Deck OLED is 6nm if they can use 3nm nodes that will help, but Steam Deck 2 will likely be doing the same around the same time, removing that advantage.
Ultimately I think there's pros and cons to each. If you are an Xbox player, a Game Pass subscriber, or like online games that have Windows kernel anti-cheat then the Windows Xbox system might be a better fit for you. It depends what your aims are.
I look forward to seeing what Xbox announce, price will be key.
@themightyant You don't know if the battery life will drop; you're basing this on the current version of Windows. The OS will certainly be optimized for better battery management on this portable Xbox.
Regarding compatibility: 17,934 games may sound like a lot, but we're talking about decades of games, from the oldest to the newest. Windows, as the native operating system for the majority of PC games, naturally offers a much broader compatibility than Proton, even though I couldn't find exact numbers.
For instance Destiny 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, Valorant, FIFA 23 don't work on steam OS. You have to play them on windows But you'd agree that switching between Windows and SteamOS isn't practical. We can clearly see the limitations of Steam on certain popular and recent games.
@Dalamar73 Of course if could be much more expensive, but that will make it a more niche device limiting it's potential market (like ROG Ally X) and won't impact Xbox's market share much. It's certainly one possible strategy, but not the one I think they will take.
@fatpunkslim Yes I mentioned games using Windows kernel Anti-cheat in my post, which is mostly online multiplayer games. As I said if those are the games you want to play then that platform may be better for you. But almost all new games that don't have anti-cheat play on Steam Deck, barring a few that play poorly due to hardware limitations.
I agree dual booting and switching OS isn't ideal, though it is possible if you want to play those games on Steam Deck, and for some a Windows based device would be FAR more convenient. I think 'convenience' is a crucial aspect to all this and as I said it will depend on what YOU want out of it, how and where you play games.
Regardless I look forward to seeing what Xbox can manufacture, I expect it to be competitive and be a better experience than other handheld Windows based PCs at least.
@Dalamar73 I'm slightly more optimistic. I think it will do... fine, but be a relatively low volume device like Steam Deck or PS Portal.
Steam Deck has 'only' sold around 4 million sales according to analysts, though if you listen to the hardcore online you'd think it's sold 100 million. I love mine though.
PS Portal is at around 2 million. I'd expect Xbox handheld to maybe exceed those but be in a similar ballpark. Nintendo Switch it will not be... but then again - having been burned by the Wii U and unimpressed with the idea of playing games at rooftop parties, as shown in the first Switch trailer - I thought the Switch wouldn't do very well. So what the hell do I know. lol.
@themightyant Genuine question as you always have a good amount of thoughs going on about stuff. How much do you realistically think an xbox handheld would launch for because I think we all agree that is going to be the biggest hurdle to start with.
For myself I think it will easily land in the same ballpark as a full console at £500+ and thats where I think it will be a very hard sell if its just a handheld.
@Dalamar73 I believe the IDC estimates as of 25 Feb 2025 were 6 million for the handheld PC market combined of which Steam Deck was 4 million. It's horribly worded at The Verge but other articles made this clearer.
Ilyn wrote:
That's a very polite way of saying I'm verbose and post too much. lol. You are right!
I honestly don't know. It depends what strategy Microsoft decide to take. Here's two possible options e.g.
My gut says it would be on a more balanced device at the lower end of the spectrum, so £400 - £500 depending on specs.
But I can also see them saying now that "everything is an Xbox", the low end of the spectrum is covered in some way so lets make a high-end device to keep some of our core enthusiast crowd happy.
It's also possible, though unlikely, that they do both. I'm not deliberately trying to hedge my bets here, I just think either is a valid strategy and it depends what route they decide to take.
@IOI unfortunately I agree and think that brand will lose identity and basically there just will be no space in the market for it (or very limited space to be precise).
If they are stopping selling consoles already that they have, next gen will for sure sell less and this new portable device will be at best couple of millions.
PC gaming market is dominated by Steam and not MS. PC handhelds market is already competitive and again domianted by steam deck. They are trying to enter a small market of non-steam deck pc handhelds which will be hard and on top of that we are looking at couple of million sold at best.
Portable console market is dominated by switch and 99% will be when switch 2 comes out.
Home console market is almost fully dominated by Sony PS.
And of course mobiles.
There is just no room for MS hardward products.
Its not full doom & gloom though imo. Again it does not mean they will stop doing hardware and people who want it will buy it. But there will be less and less people who will want it. I would bet next gen sells 20M at best which probably still enough for MS to keep going.
The only comeback I see will be in 10-20 years in cloud.
I personally dont like how either Sony or MS does their console business these days. Would ideally transition to any form of PC gaming next gen but I want this to be a smaller box under TV. Technically I can do it now by buying small-box prebuilt PC but dont want to deal with windows.
So whoever does a better solution whether Valve or MS that will make this PC gaming more console like = will be my choice.
And I would put way more money on Valve. They just need to come up with Steam OS for desktops and I am in. If they do proprietary steam machine - even better.
@Justifier Steam Deck does exactly what it needs to, it's not their to compete with the Switch or a console. It's largely an add on for PC.
@themightyant Haha nah it was more to say you are knowledgable about such things and your posts are always worth a read.
I guess hedging bets on the price at present is a fair strategy as it depends on what the target market is for the device. At present I would say its clear microsft is less concerned about hardware than they are about software, and its smart as thats where the money is for them.
If the target market is moving console players to a PC which I think seems to be their long term plan then the lower price is where they want to shoot. If they are wanting to target PC handheld to grow GP subs then I think the device would steer towards the higher end because PC gamers are less price conscious.
If they do just rebadge something like the Ally, and slap an OS on it, then they could do both with a base and pro model. Even if the main difference is just battery and storage then It would give people the option. Plus as a rebadge it would require far less risk overall.
The article doesn’t seem to take into account most of these handheld pcs are being used in the home. They’re far too big to travel with on a train or plane.
1) Run every XB and PC game.
2) A really good UI making it like a console experience. Simple management.
3) Better then current high powered handhelds at battery life.
I don't see how you can pack a powerful device into a small high resolution screen at a low price. It has to be a premium device not a budget device to meet its technical goals. It will price a lot of people out, but unfortunately that is how it will be.
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