Microsoft Is Reportedly 'Partnering' On An Xbox Handheld Device To Launch In 2025

I do like that this means the actual Xbox handheld is an actual handheld Xbox.

I would be surprised if an Xbox-branded handheld PC makes a dent in that slice of the market.

Microsoft's next-gen hardware plans include a premium successor to the powerful Xbox Series X, alongside its own Xbox gaming handheld, and several new controller options.

On top of what we know about the next console being the biggest leap yet and being feature competitive, that right there, is massively exciting.

But, knowing that one releases in 2027 naturally makes me want to wait for that, unless the 2025 version (if dates are met) is forward compatible to some degree. I'm keen to learn more. Pricing will be interesting too.

The partnership with a third party is wise even if the resulting handheld/hybrid is not more popular than other handheld PCs, because it's the way to fine-tune the future Xbox handheld, that will be popular because of the native Xbox experience and Game Pass and does not need to have the same impact as Switch on the market. As we all know, all this is part of a bigger business and environment. It's not the 90s nor Nintendo's walled garden.

What I think is, I wish they would just come and say.
Yes or no to.
Xbox partner handheld device
Xbox true handheld
Xbox home console.
Not sure why we have to have all this mystery.
We Sony are making a PS6 home console and working with AMD with FSR 4.
It would be nice to have some official speak on all this, especially considering the multi platform vibe and Xbox console future uncertainty.
It would help build some trust for us Xbox fans and give something certain to look forward to.

I’d actually would consider a MS handheld but it would have to be one of two things

1. Super high end and more powerful than switch 2 with a good representation of the Xbox library.

2. Super budget with dedicated software made just for it but can still play 360 and lower games.

But no matter what it cannot be a streaming device.

It seems pretty irrelevant to simply add a bit of Xbox branding to something like a rog ally, and their market penetration is not shifting the number of units that make any genuine difference.

However, it doesn't hurt to have a branded PC handheld as I'm sure a few people will want one, so brand away!

It's a frontend OS that I'm most interested in. Pretty sure this won't be bringing it, but never say never!

If this will be priced above the Steam Deck (partnering with other hardware makers tends to be expensive) than it will have an Everst sized mountain to climb. I'm very interested in an Xbox handheld, but price will play a crucial role for me.

There will be a lot of xbox branded hardware to look forward too.

My series x works perfectly I love it😊👍

I expect cheap and expensive Xbox systems. Do you remember the leaked plans during the ABK trial? Sure, plans change and they were drafts back then, but they have been planning several devices at different price points for years.

If it has an oled screen I'd get one.

I got the phone attachment for my series controller playing balatro right now with gp. Good enough for me.

This is going to expose the lack of widespread Play Anywhere support to a lot of the gaming media when they realise most of their Xbox console library isn’t available to play during the review process.

Be good if this was a prototype for an Xbox handheld OS. I'm not one of these that thinks windows is cumbersome on a pc handheld, but background processes can eat into what precious power a handhelds battery has.

If that can be streamlined we've got something special on our hands.

@Kaloudz @themightyant @Titntin @Banjo- partnering & investing in 3rd party OEMs is smart. It gets an OEM Xbox handheld out the door quickly. The device & all other handhelds will benefit from the improvements in Windows 11. As Microsoft improves it for next gen. Then they can use the device as an example when speaking to potential partners & could even get them to invest in the next gen Xbox hardware by licensing it out for future use. Could you imagine in Asia where Xbox is at its weakest & you have a Tencent Xbox console in China or a Sega Dreamcast 2 in Japan.

Throwing ****at the wall. Why do this when it's just going to confuse consumers even further when their own handheld releases? These people are beyond lost.

@Jenkinss it makes perfect sense for places like Asia where a Microsoft Xbox console isn't popular. So if you invest in local OEMs & license your software to companies that may see better success. Xbox could become the Android of gaming.

@cragis0001 I mean they could, but they already failed that ‘Android’ model with Windows Phone, they have everything to pull it off yet they seem to be incredibly incompetent.

Tesing waters with the steam deck-like device. We will probably see sort of a beta version of this xbox-pc hybrid works.

Are we at the point that the series x has been used to its fullest potential? Doesn’t feel like it to me.

Better have oled and 120hz with Dolby speakers

I actually was wondering today if a new rog ally was coming soon. I have both previous versions and their pretty awesome. currently playing path of exile on steam with it so much better with using the joy sticks and rb to move then a mouse.

@IOI they were late to the game with Windows Phone. They charged a license at first to OEMs & played to their competitors strengths. Plus they underestimated the competition.

They have learned a lot since then. They also have a model which they can follow that has been successful. That's their Windows PC one. They will continue hardware like Surface does on PC. Which is a complete package with all their services on one device. But allow OEMs to create devices that fill the gaps in the market while having all software & services on all non PC devices.

I like this, I'm going to buy it

It's an interesting thing, and could work. Nintendo had the handheld market sewn up for years, but now mobile games have captured that audience like nothing before, and a "classic" handheld will never budge that market.

@PhileasFragg definitely. A 3rd party Xbox handheld that can play Playstation games via Steam. I bet it will have Xbox's mobile store. So do a deal with Nintendo to get it's current & future mobile titles. If not you can run them with Google's Android development tool. Then you can play old Nintendo games via emulators.

I'm having trouble understanding how this would help Xbox brand. It's yet another device with scattered support to dilute brand recognition and confidence. MS is obviously going for 1st party handheld in less than 2 years. What kind of support and lifespan can one expect from "2nd party" device created in the next 9 months??
They should skip this and just run with their own device down the line. Or go all in on Xbox being a tool/service on certified devices. But don't make it a hybrid strategy, that literally never works out.

Sounds like its similar to the Xbox-specific Backbone controllers you can get for phones. Eg, a generic Windows (or Android?!) handheld with a built-in "Xbox controller". Marketed for Game Pass streaming. Highly doubt it will play Xbox console games.

Actually, thinking about it, I reckon it IS an Android device. They mention Razer as one the possible manufacturers - I think its a version of the Razer Edge with an Xbox branded controller.

It would be sold as a competitor to the PS Portal - eg aimed at local or cloud streaming rather than running games on the device. (Although you would be able to do more than with the Portal).

I think this makes the most sense, as allows them to put their toes in the market, compete with the surprisingly successful Portal, while keeping the path clear for a forthcoming "proper" handheld.

@OldGamer999 They confirmed they are working on the next console some time ago. They've given as much info as Sony.
They've said they are looking at a handheld but it is some time away, this partner handheld is a new rumour I dont think its reasonable to expect them to respond to all of these queries.

Of course Microsoft will partner to launch an Xbox branded handheld that will likely sink into oblivion against the myriad handheld PCs and will muddy the waters of the launch of the real deal handheld.

Why Microsoft, why? Do it once, and do it right.

This generation is the first generation where I just simply don't see the need for a new console any time soon.

Who is really going to be thinking "yeah my Series X isn't enough" for the current crop of games? A Series X will almost certainly carry you to 2030 at least. Why would anyone need more? This generation of software has probably been the worst ever.

Maybe the actual Xbox handheld will have some sort of compatibility with the next Xbox console, probably remote play and what not.