Rumour: Microsoft To Launch Next-Gen With Series X Successor & Handheld Xbox

"We tentatively believe based on our sources..."

by Ben Kerry 1:15pm

Rumour: Microsoft To Launch Next-Gen With Series X Successor & Handheld Xbox — *Image: Damien McFerran / Pure Xbox*

On the back of a recent interview discussing Xbox's upcoming anniversary plans, outlet Windows Central believes that Microsoft will kick off the next generation with "at least" an Xbox Series X follow-up and a Steam Deck-like handheld console.

These are similar to rumours we've heard before, with WC again throwing its weight behind this over the weekend. This time, the site says "we tentatively believe based on our sources" that Microsoft is planning this two-pronged approach to its next-generation system.

We'll drop the outlet's full quote, where it talks about potential next-gen plans, down below:

"Xbox's 25th anniversary would fall on November 15, 2026, which puts it firmly in range of a new generation of Xbox hardware potentially. Sony just revealed its mid-gen console the PS5 Pro, which Xbox has passed on competing with this time around.

Instead, it seems Xbox is full-steam ahead with its next set of console hardware, which we tentatively believe based on our sources to include at least both a traditional-style successor to the Xbox Series X, and Microsoft's first real foray into Xbox handheld gaming with its own take on the Steam Deck."

As you can see there, Windows Central also ponders the thought that this next-gen launch could coincide with Xbox's 25th anniversary in fall 2026 - although that appears to be more speculative than anything else at this stage.

As for the form factor of these systems, we've actually heard very similar things from Microsoft themselves, even if the company is being very coy with specific details. Xbox's Sarah Bond says the team is building a super-powerful home console, while boss Phil Spencer has strongly hinted at plans for a handheld device in recent months.

With PS5 Pro news now public, we'd expect to hear more and more rumours about new Xbox hardware in the coming months and years.

Do we think this is looking more and more likely, PXers? Tell us if this is the way you'd go down below.

[source windowscentral.com]

Ben is a News Writer at Pure Xbox, and is a fan of action, racing and straight-up shootin' in any Xbox game he can get his hands on. When he's not clutching an Xbox controller like his life depends on it, Ben spends his time listening to music that's far too old for him, watching football on the telly and probably eating somewhere.

I'm not completely convinced on next gen as early as 2026. I think there are several problems including

Many feel this generation has barely started, yet you want to replace hardware in 2 years time?
You would likely only have a hardware advantage for 2 years, which is likely to be a cross-gen period anyway, then you would be behind the competition with inferior hardware.

2
abe_hikura
1:23pm

It makes sense that IF you making weaker hardware might aswell also have a handheld configuration.

Especially now competition isn't just Nintendo but expensive handheld PCs too.

3
abe_hikura
1:27pm

@themightyant agreed there's nothing that can be gained in those "early" 2 years that will offset the PS6 leap frogging.

Unless! The next xbox is upgradable, then they can equal/leapfrog PS6 when it gets annouced.

4
Ilyn
1:29pm

@themightyant I think Christmas 2027 would be about right. You could even push that to 2028 if we are not getting massive upgrades. That said I do reckon Xbox will shoot early and that it will be a huge mistake. It won't draw the players over and as you say would be eclipsed in about 18months.

If they do go for 2026 then it will be intersting watching all the Pro is pontless crowd suddenly change their mind for what would be a very similar level of power machine.

5
Savage_Joe
1:31pm

Hard pass on xbox next gen.

I don't think a new powerful system is going to sell, or is even needed, but if the handheld is sub $300 I could see it catching on and being somewhat popular. I still think that if they sold a streaming stick bundled with a controller and a month of GPU, that is Xbox branded and not just a Firestick, that you'll see a ton of movement on it if it's priced at $99. That would be the kickoff to streaming truly becoming mainstream.

@abe_hikura Xbox is done being worried about selling the most boxes. A console is a ceiling, the broader market is in PC and cloud, and that is where you're going to find new customers. Consoles just keep the existing base happy and give you another option for playing your games. They're good to have but aren't the only way to attract customers to your brand, just simply a slice of the global customer pie.

@abe_hikura I'm not sure upgradeable will be cost effective UNLESS they use off the shelf parts (see Xbox Series 1TB SSD expansion as an example, it's twice as expensive as a standard 1TB nvme.) but then you're basically saying build a PC Lite.

But I think it might work if they instead move to a more fluid model rather than fixed generations, more like phones. The downsides being you will always be "held back" to an extent; some gamers will be irked when their box can play some games but not others and others will be annoyed about their hardware being superseded so quickly. But we're basically there anyway in everything but name on Xbox already.

9
Fenbops
1:47pm

Will this be the ‘biggest technological leap seen in console gaming’ Xbox they’ve promised? I think 2026 will be too early, I definitely can’t see the PS6 aiming for the same year. Then again Microsoft are bucking the trends more than ever and maybe moving on to a different strategy of releasing more powerful hardware sooner is possible. The handheld is a given at this point.

With PS5 pro costing what it does, I’m concerned about where console gaming is going regarding the price. More powerful and more expensive may not be the best path to success.

10
BIG3
1:53pm

I dont think a next gen system will be necessary for about 3 years. But a handheld in 2026 would be great.

When they say the "biggest technological leap" it will be relating to Artificial/Generative Intelligence.

12
RiverGenie
1:58pm

I wonder when in that time period we will step away from cross gen games with the current last gen. It seems wild to me that we are already are anticipating a generation beyond series consoles when we have still yet to step away from last gen.

13
sixrings
2:01pm

I’ll be ready for a new platform in 2026. I just want to be able to play my games in 4k 60 fps with ray tracing. We are no where near that currently. So yes I will be ready in 2026.

Isn’t fifa and madden only 1440p this year. Don’t they both have 30fps cut scenes. I don’t know how people can say 2027 when I’m sure we all have 4k TVs.

14
fbnaulin
2:15pm

I don’t trust Jez Corden as insider. But, if this is the scenario I’ll wait to see the difference in performance to trade my Series X for the new console or just buy the handheld.

Anyway, I’m satisfied with Xbox and I’ll continue with them next gen.

15
mac_da_man
2:17pm

If Xbox are going to release a majority of their games on Playstation, then I might skip an Xbox next gen but if not then a handheld would be pretty awesome!

16
HonestHick
2:17pm

@abe_hikura @themightyant the rumor is MS is going to lease out the UI to other hardware manufacturers and they can build a Xbox also. So when the PS6 comes out, maybe it does have a slight edge. But Asus builds a more powerful Xbox. Or Dell comes out with a $1000 dollar alien ware Xbox. Cause the next Xbox is said to be even more PC able than the Series consoles. So whatever the base power level is from MS can’t be under done by the others makers, but can be pushed further. Making the console really feel like PC. So i don’t think the “Xbox” will be behind in power, and it will get the software to run the PC version and not the console version. This is a good strategy cause it cut’s down the console software work needed for dev’s.

17
FarmDog08
2:24pm

I really want a dedicated handheld xbox that runs native. I may skip the initial next gen upgrade for that and hold onto my Series X a little longer. I'm not getting any younger so I've been thinking more and more what my exit strategy from gaming may be in the next 10-20 yrs. I'm solely on xbox these days so I just need whatever will play my current library of digital games and I'd be set for "retirement".

18
DeanyBabyy
2:27pm

Unless it intergrates steam whats the point? I can play most xbox games through the cloud on my s24 ultra will great perfomance...

@HonestHick That's an interesting approach, but not without it's own problems. e.g. You could introduce a lot of PC specific problems (like Shader compilation & stutter related to it) as it's not fixed hardware.

You'd also lose some of the major advantages consoles have over PC like being able to optimise for fixed hardware, and to subsidise hardware costs. Lastly many think Series S holds back Series X, if you had an even wider set of hardware wouldn't this be amplified?

All that would likely mean you would be paying more for less relative performance, even if it was more powerful.

It is an interesting concept but it also has a lot of potential problems.

20
Balaam_
2:32pm

This is good news. I have less than no interest in a handheld with a tiny screen, cramped controls and compromised performance. I’m not addicted to technology, and I don’t have a 4hr commute. I don’t need to play Xbox on the toilet or on the go. A traditional, powerful, under-the-tv box is all I want.

After this generation, I’ll definitely be passing on any future Xbox unless they can really turn things around. Honestly, PlayStation’s going to have to turn things around too for me to want a PS6. Given the current state of the industry, I have no interest in a console for remasters and remakes, nor do I care if a console is portable. Unless there’s a slate of compelling new releases, I may just stick with a Switch 2. At least Nintendo doesn’t slouch with their first party games or release schedule. I didn’t expect the original Xbox showcase to be an outline of the entire console generation

22
HonestHick
58m ago

@themightyant no it wouldn’t hold it back cause the software for say Diablo 4 wouldn’t be the console version, it would run the PC version and scale. That would be my guess. As everything would just be PC software. However you made a point that i too thought about and that would be how well optimized and well would the software run and we see some PC ports having issues from time to time. That is the real deal breaker on this strategy. But this looks to be the direction MS is going and it makes sense. The Xbox will be a lower powered but easier to use PC, kind of like it is now only it will run PC software and the hardware will be open to other manufacturers. In time we will see if this is their winning formula, but i think for the position they are in, it makes the most sense.

23
GiveMeMoney
20m ago

I hope they DO start next gen early and take a different approach. They will always be leapfrogging each other with power and performance, and hopefully they do more to differentiate themselves from each other and more unique. I am all-in for a handheld Xbox, especially if they make it capable of natively playing Steam, Epic, and GoG, etc with Game Pass, Id be totally set for my travel and backup device.

24
Jenkinss
10m ago

themightyant wrote:

Many feel this generation has barely started, yet you want to replace hardware in 2 years time?

The beginning of 2026 will be over 5 years of Xbox Series, and November 2026 will be 6 years of it.

The Wii U was replaced after 4.5 years.

This generation was a catastrophic failure for Microsoft. That they lost marketshare compared to the abysmal Xbox One is unthinkable. People have their head in the sand about this for some reason. Microsoft is looking to change course drastically, and as soon as they possibly can.

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