
An Xbox handheld console is starting to feel more likely than ever, despite rumours of such a device circulating since the heyday of the PSP. Recently, we've read rumours about prototypes, have witnessed Phil Spencer liking tweets about Xbox handhelds, and the Xbox boss has even confirmed that the hardware team is looking into different form factors for future consoles. To add fuel to this raging fire, Microsoft has begun asking fans about this topic too.
As spotted by Windows Central, Microsoft has been sending out surveys about 'handheld gaming' devices - specifically, "new handheld gaming PCs". The team is asking users about the likelihood of them buying a new handheld gaming PC, and how they feel towards the Xbox/Windows brands if they own an existing option on the market.
Here's an example of the email being sent out to an existing owner:
We haven't had these emails ourselves so we can't show you the exact questions here, but the original Windows Central post does showcase them, if you'd like to see what all the fuss is about. These are by no means confirmation that a handheld device is in the works over there at Microsoft HQ, but it's certainly an interesting wrinkle in this ongoing saga.
Do you think this could actually happen? Tell us what you think about these surveys down below.
[source windowscentral.com]
Comments 29
I'd be down for a handheld from Microsoft/Xbox. As long I could access my existing library of games I'd be happy. I don't particularly have any interest in a Steam Deck or an Asus ROG Ally as I'm not really a PC kind of guy.
I wouldn't mind having the ability to play PC games on an Xbox handheld as I know there's people who would find it handy. The main draw for me though would be being able to play my console games on the device.
It looks like a done deal that we are getting a handheld Xbox. This is exciting to see. I think it could be really really good. Phil has already said what he would want in a handheld and i agree. It’s the reason i don’t own any of the ones on the market now. Fix those issues and it’s a winner for me.
Good news more ways to play for people although it will be probably all digital so not for the people who need physical games not sure if it's going to be for me hopefully its not a flop
I was sent that survey and completed it a couple of days ago. It seemed quite focused on the 'PC' side.
@PrinceOfPorgs98 You essentially have the ability to play Xbox games on the RoG Ally - some games are 'Play Anywhere' if you buy them Digitally. When you buy an Xbox Play Anywhere digital game through the Xbox Store or the Microsoft Store, it’s yours to play on Xbox and Windows 10/11 PC at no additional cost. It's that 'smart delivery' that means you get the version for the device(s) you play on so if you play on Series X, you get to download and play that version, play on a PC (inc a Handheld), you also get to download and play on PC too.
Steam Deck is different as its 'default' is not Windows and Xbox games, whilst available, are sold by 'Steam' - not MS so don't have 'Play Anywhere' options. The big advantage of RoG Ally is that its not locked to just Steam or just Xbox. You can play a LOT of old games using Emulation too - games from Playstation, Nintendo, Sega consoles - as well as play games like Sony's Spider-Man, God of War, Horizon, Helldivers 2 etc.
So not only can you play every Xbox game on PC, you can play Sony's PC releases as well as all the Steam, Epic etc exclusives and, if you buy Digitally from Xbox/MS store, can play your library on Console too...
I wouldn't mind if they did a handheld but not interested myself. It would actually be much cheaper if they did their own attachment for a phone.
They still must make a traditional console box as I prefer using a TV and those hybrid things aren't great docked and have lower specs. Also would need a decent battery as all of the ones out don't last long.
If it can compete with the others, then yeah it would be nice to have. But if it's a cheap low budget one, then won't be that good. Might sell well tho, just won't be good.
Honestly think handheld Xbox will be waste of time and resources. The market is very niche for this type Xbox product. Really not see it generating broad enough appeal any time soon to have good return on investment.
Interesting news, but not at all attractive to me. The Steam Deck and Rog Ally are already great options for PC gaming on the go, and my tastes lean far more towards Nintendo if you want a handheld, especially as we are awaiting the Switch 2 handheld.
I can't see that a Microsoft branded alternative would shift many units at all, but I'm sure they will do their research before jumping in, so maybe I'm wrong.
As for PC type consoles - I already have a £4k PC I only seem to use when browsing these sites and dabbling in UE5. I much prefer a straight up console experience. I'd much rather see them go 'balls out' for a proper hardcore console thats not a rebranded PC, and use all the studios they have bought up to support that with 'must have games'. It looks to me like they are throwing in the towel before the impact of their dev team purchases can really shine, but again, I hope I'm reading that wrong.
One word: WiiU
Personally, I would love a device that is like the Wii U screen - seamless gameplay from my Xbox within the room without the delay of wifi that the PlayStation Portal suffers from. Most of my free time to game is at home but when someone else wants to use the TV.
We already have stand alone PC/Handhelds that aren’t powerful enough to play games properly and cost a bomb.
This could also provide Cloud streaming and WiFi streaming for when out and about.
Don't forget that there's also the Lenovo Go. Which seems more attractive to me than the other 2.
Make it an xbox branded pc (similar to steam deck's steam os/desktop mode) and make xbox app have access to digital xbox library and other pc stores. I think this would be amazing.
A stacked first party library, stacked gamepass library and expanding hardware form factors. Exciting times for xbox.
It has to play "actual" Xbox games for it matter.
There will be cheaper and more powerful Handheld PCs and a Xbox sticker isn't going to make people consider it over them.
Playing both PC and Xbox games would be killer.
Like add to my other post....
If they make the next gen Xbox be a console/handheld hybrid like the Nintendo Switch, then and only then, could I see it being successful.
Microsoft should have went with that idea instead of the debacle known as the Series S
@GuyinPA75 Why such hate for the series s you really have it in for the white fella it's out sold the series x by a lot my friend so it's not a debacle sorry
It feels like it might be too little, too late for this. Steamdeck has a strong foothold and the market is getting crowded with competitors. Does MS really want to divert more resources to trying to wrestle away users from a market dominator again? It'd be like joining the console fray all over again for Team Green. For instance, Valve has basically removed itself from game dev and focused squarely on its handheld and storefront — can Xbox add that to the multi-front war its already fighting?
Outside of that, my biggest Qs:
1) Will MS let an Xbox-branded handheld be completely open? Like, can I emulate Playstation and Nintendo games like I can on SD or a Ally? They've shut down avenues to emulate on the Series consoles and haven't made it easy (understandably from a legal perspective). And surely Xbox won't let users buy and play games from competing stores like Steam --- would they? This could be a big test of how the Xbox brand views brand safety standards.
2) As we've seen on other portable PCs, it takes effort to scale down games to get them to run accurately. Presumably Xbox will dedicate the time and resources to do this for first-party titles, but is it potentially asking too much of 3rd-party devs to now consider testing and optimizing for Series S, Series X, and a portable Xbox (along with Playstation, Nintendo, PC, etc)? Or with the sunsetting of the FPS Boost and Backwards Compatibility teams, will those resources be diverted to handle this on behalf of the third parties? Will it still require game publishers to sign off like BC did?
3) Running Xbox games natively would be great, but apps like XBPlay already stream really well for portable handhelds and phones. Steam sales are so steep they blow PS/XB/Nintendo out of the water. Epic and GoG give out free games frequently. Basically a Steamdeck is an upfront cost commitment but you could never spend another cent and have a lifetime of games to play. What's the value prop that Xbox will use to peel away these users or attract prospects away? It has to be as powerful and more affordable. Just playing your Xbox library on the go won't be enough without it being competitive from a performance and cost perspective. Especially if it's less capable.
Day 1. Or whenever scalpers are done with it.
@Titntin I think the main selling point would be just enhancing the platform value by having a handheld option for your whole library, not just PC games which is the main thing that keeps me from getting a handheld PC. I don't need a FOURTH digital store ecosystem.
@NEStalgia
Yes of course, I get that. But thats simply an appeal to the already coverted. It will take more than that to grow their market against some compelling rivals, especially as those rivals have a much larger fanbase already..
.. or we can hope they have some great unique hardware abilities or functions that will be compelling. I guess we will see if we get a design!
I wouldnt wish it ill, Im just struggling atm to see a large market.
Windows should have a xbox mode, where everything is isolated and unimportant stuff should be throttled like it never has. I don't need notifications about new mail, java updates or whatever.
It should work as a console, but open as Windows where I can install games from other stores/launchers as well. I think this should be introduced to the existing consoles as well, it's a PC
@lostfields What you described is literally what some of us have been talking about that we speculate the next gen xb (and maybe handheld) will be. Basically a gaming laptop or customized standard PC hardware in an attractive box running an Xbox-ified standard Windows. Phil also more or less commented about getting Windows out of the way on the Rog Ally, etc that they want to work on that. Fingers crossed that's exactly what it will be. But more expensive than current consoles.
@Titntin Well, yes and no, it of course appeals to the already converted, but I think larger than that it's an attempt to make the ecosystem itself more inviting by having a lot of options, the convenience factor of getting a bunch of playing options within one ecosystem. And, at a minimum, removing that as a competitive disadvantage vs, say, Steam that has that option, or Nintendo that's main selling point is that.
Between cloud and PS Portal conversations there's definitely a market segment that has lots of interest in portable gaming and zero interest in cloud/remote play gaming as the data requirements don't work out. Is it a big market? IDK. But if nothing else appealing to that market's needs makes combining it with the power console (or not) an appealing ecosystem like iPad+iPhone but without being totally limited to 'low end graphics" like a Deck without a PC or a Switch. Obviously Steam does the same idea, but bigger, but if (just guestimating prices) we look at a combined $400 power handheld and $700 power console, it's still a lot cheaper than the Steam equivalent of a $400 power handheld and a $2000+ PC to get a similar "4k box for the living room + the handheld with one game purchase" setup.
Definitely appealing, the only question is how big is the market it's appealing to.
What I kind of see as the best path for XB is, instead of trying to create one marketing force dominating platform that basically has to replace PS or Nintendo's market, appealing to many niches and eating away at the edges of the market. In a sense, Iwata's "Blue Ocean" strategy, but without the lightning in a bottle jackpot that was capturing mobile gaming before mobile gaming happened. It won't make them the biggest console, but it would make a successful software & services launching pad by casting a wide net for all the fringes of the market.
Let's face it, with a non-growing console market, trying to just outgun one of the 2 dominant leaders with gamers being a loyal sort is never going to happen, so it definitely needs to find its own path. Phil's said that pretty much directly too. I think it's a given they're taking a different path ("second pillar?") What that is...we can only speculate, for now.
The only thing we know for certain is they need to find whoever is supposed to be in marketing, remove them from the bottom basement level of the abandoned parking garage across the street from Satya's 5th home, and actually have them market the handheld.
@Ricky-Spanish it’s not that I don’t hear you. But at the end of last year digital was 83% of unit sales accounting for 95% of revenue industry wide. And I’d bet Switch drove physical far more than either Xbox or PS although I don’t have that data. Physical is just something the industry doesn’t even remotely care about any longer.
If Win 11 had an 'Xbox' UI built into it, then any PC handheld is essentially an 'Xbox' portable.
The problem is building their own for say £500 but 'locked' to only Xbox as a 'Series S' in portable form type Console would be putting it into 'direct' competition with Handheld PC's - all playing Xbox, but also open to ALL the other games too.
Not only that, these PC manufacturers will likely be upgrading to better specs on a far more frequent basis, potentially leaving Xbox 'behind'.
Another way to look at it is treat it similar to Surface line and again Sort out Win 11 to give a more 'Xbox' UI and experience when gaming to make it more accessible and 'easy'. Asus had to make their 'own' gaming UI but if they 'competed' (like they do with Surface Hardware), they could make it more Xbox Console user friendly but still a 'Windows 11 PC' - open...
I'd certainly love an Xbox handheld if done right. If I can access my library of games and play them without need of internet connection except for cloud saving, online multiplayer and accessing the store, then I'm sold.
Sure, specs are important too. A good quality screen with high resolution and a decent battery life and storage are also decisive factors here. And price too.
While I don't have any Xbox digital to me I do wonder. Logitech G Cloud Android/Cloud direction. The disappointing Portal direction or actual handheld? To me the PC handhelds batteries suck but the performance is fair and the Window OS is 'fine' but not ideal.
Putting something else that doesn't take up as much space on the device versus game compatibility and an OS that's fair enough to support it.
I am fine with a Android and Xbox gaming kind of approach so it's still usable. It's why I think the Portal was a loss, no dual screen, no Android to fall back on (sure security but even then the G Cloud isn't great but at least it has Android as an option then just cloud and useless paper weight years later) just custom Android for it. That's just disappointing. Let alone emulation officially maybe but that takes time too. More could be done but they made the bare minimum. They want remote play to take off sure but they barely offer other use cases for it like come on.
I think an Xbox handheld for competition is great, but HOW they handle it has always made me go, but how? Why? What way will they go about it to make it a remote play, cloud, same hardware (like people assumed PS4 hardware in the Portal but then go even weaker hardware for a remote play only bare minimum use case device) or something else but using the same hardware? Maybe as the Series S but reworked with a screen and more? That would be interesting to do.
I know having another storefront and physical (probably not and digital only which is understandable these days) type of thing does become a challenge.
But a more Steam Deck kind of handheld that is not Windows OS but is the Xbox experience on the go makes sense to me.
Most times it'd be Windows phone or Pocket PCs, so with PC handhelds sure but people wanting a more console experience I can see reason in that if they do it right but the streaming/casting to a screen in the Portal/Wii U/to your phone way I do wonder or a more offering remote play/cloud but still local of some kind Android or actual Xbox hardware reworked is what I question.
They wouldn't want more complexity of supporting too many platforms/services so they'd want to rework hardware to a handheld (Vita and Vita TV or Evercade handheld/console type is what I mean which is what I would wish for Switch 2 if they ever did something of the sort) or make a more mid range hardware but how games get there is the question I always wonder of remote play, of cloud of however they go about it.
Just depends on what it is and what it can do. They could make an amazing handheld if they really wanted to give you all of the options available. If that winds up being the handheld they make, I’m in day 1.
An Xbox handheld is a no-brainer. You would have your Xbox digital library there, including backwards compatibility games. Heck, just backwards compatibility makes an Xbox worth buying. If they add a "PC profile", maybe you could access other libraries, too. At the end of the day, PC equals Windows, fortunately for Microsoft. However, the selling point is being an Xbox handheld because there aren't any. I think that they are designing it already and I bet that it will be more popular than Series S.
I want it to run not just game pass but everything I’ve purchased on Xbox (console, not just pc). If it’s just another pc but runs both Steam and Xbox/game pass pc, I’d pass.
It will probably be a clunky unit with less than 2 hour battery life
@Secryt I 100% agree I haven't bought a physical games in many years I love being all digital don't see the obsession with physical games?
I have the Asus ROG Ally and love it, would love a true XB Console version of a handheld similar to ROG Ally. My only three beefs of the ROG Ally is:
1) It isn't a true console interface (it is Windows).
2) Battery life needs to be longer.
3) Would like a option to buy a SIM card and use 5G cellular for mobile gaming.
I envision three variants.
1) XB Mobile Stream - A streaming only device. Long battery life but must always be connected to broadband.
2) XB Mobile - A ROG Ally type console device.
3) XB Mobile Pro - A ROG Ally type console device. with 5G capabilities.
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