According to a recent report by Windows Central’s Jez Corden, Microsoft is actively working on a third-party portable gaming PC that is Xbox branded, being built on “Xbox design sensibilities” codenamed “Keenan”. It is allegedly planned for late 2025. It will reportedly run on Windows allowing it to run several software including Microsoft Store and Game Pass. Additionally, Corden states that the next Xbox title after the Xbox Series X/S has been fully greenlit and is expected to launch in 2027, though this release window is “tentative”. The console also planned alongside a first-party Xbox handheld console. It’s worth noting that this is all just rumours for now and should be taken with a grain of salt.
There has been rumors of Xbox developing a handheld console for a while now. According to a past Bloomberg article, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer seemingly confirmed a handheld console is planned. He says “the expectation is that [Xbox] would do something” for the handheld market and that prototypes are currently in development, but such a product will be released a few years from now.
According to statements earlier in March 2024, from Windows Central’s Jez Corden, Microsoft has been working on a prototype for an Xbox handheld console. In an episode of the Xbox Two podcast, Corden revealed that the device is fully native and not cloud based. He also added that while the device is new, it may not necessarily hit the market. “I know that they’ve got new hand held prototypes.”
He said. “Prototypes don’t necessarily mean they’ll go to market but I think you have to really look at the landscape and Microsoft’s strategy, the thought process, and the new chips that have started to enable these kinds of devices. I think Microsoft would be absolutely insane to not pursue this.” It’s worth noting that none of these claims have been confirmed by Microsoft.
Lastly, according to a past statement to The Verge, Phil Spencer stated that the company is considering developing different types of hardware. “I’m very proud of the work that the hardware team is doing, not only for this year, but also into the future,” says Spencer. “[We’re] really thinking about creating hardware that sells to gamers because of the unique aspects of the hardware. It’s kind of an unleashing of the creative capability of our hardware team that I’m really excited about.”
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