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[Lunatic_Gamer]

First up, it seems Microsoft is working with a PC gaming OEM (think ASUS, Lenovo, MSI, Razer, etc.) on an Xbox-branded gaming handheld, surprisingly slated for later in 2025 if plans are met. Codename "Keenan," this gaming handheld will look unmistakably "Xbox" we're told, complete with an official Xbox guide button, and Xbox design sensibilities. Given that this is a partner device, similar to Lenovo's SteamOS partnership with Valve, I expect this handheld to be more PC-oriented. It'll most likely run full Windows, putting the Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass front and center, alongside the ability to install things like Steam.

Because indeed, our sources also indicate that Microsoft's internal successor to the Xbox Series X|S platform has been fully greenlit all the way up to CEO Satya Nadella. For now, I understand that 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. Tentatively, it seems these new console devices are slated for 2027.
It seems that the next-gen Xbox consoles will be closer to Windows than ever before, reducing the amount of work developers have to commit to when porting from PC. I understand that they will continue to sport backwards compatibility with legacy Xbox games too, however.

Xbox's hardware fightback begins with a gaming handheld planned for later this year, with full next-gen consoles targeting 2027

Microsoft's first full foray into PC gaming handhelds begins with a partner device set to launch later this year, with its own Xbox Series X|S successors now fully in production.

www.windowscentral.com

 

[ChorizoPicozo]

If Jez says it, it must be true.

 

[R3TRO]

I don’t see this going well.

 

[SJRB]

This guy yaps a lot.

 

[LordCBH]

I can get behind a handheld depending on how it’s made and what I can do with it. The dream would be a windows based handheld where I could have access to third party stores.

 

[Punished Miku]

Sounds good to me. It's very possible the handheld will already be open store, meaning I could stock up on some indie games I've been missing. Guess we'll see what comes of it, and the price and specs.

Will be very interesting to see the software stuff, moreso than the hardware honestly. System UI, forward compatibility, multi-store options, etc.

 

[Kilau]

Code name: Keenan?

 

[DenchDeckard]

Hmmmm.

Give me a rog ally 2. Don't see why it needs to be Xbox themed but we shall see.

 

[jshackles]

I'm interested in how this will turn out, specs wise. It's going to either need to be much faster, or much cheaper than the Steam Deck in order to compete successfully.

 

[GHG]

They already had a partner handheld, it was called the ROG Ally.

 

[dorkimoe]

handheld with gamepass, its all i need in my life

 

[Zacfoldor]

I can't even with the Jez rumors today. I just can't. It's Monday folks!

 

[adamsapple]

Later this year?

hmm

 

[damidu]

wonder how the partner-handheld flopping out of the gate, will effect next gen plans.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Later this year?

hmm

 

[intbal]

I assume next month the plan will be entirely different.

 

[gothmog]

Lol. GamepassDeck.

 

[Punished Miku]

I assume next month the plan will be entirely different.

It's honestly been the exact same consistent rumors for 13 months if you paid attention.

 

[BennyBlanco]

Wonder if it has the z2 extreme, and I wonder if the Xbox BC stuff will be on it.

 

[DavJay]

Still waiting on Xbox game pass on PlayStation. That must be the plan right? Every title is already being made multi platform.

 

[Punished Miku]

and I wonder if the Xbox BC stuff will be on it.

This is what I was wondering. The OP mentions Xbox BC on the PC box, but not necessarily the handheld. Says the handheld is more geared towards PC so I guess we'll see what that means.

 

[Edmund]

Every article by Jez Corden deserves a laugh emoji reaction.

 

[onQ123]

Jez been writing up a storm the last week or so lol

 

[begotten]

Will it be more than a black & green Rog Ally with an Xbox sticker on it?

 

[Tiago Rodrigues]

I don’t see this going well.

I'm still trying to wrap my head around Xbox's marketing as of right now.

Everything feels so aimless and trying to throw everything at the wall to see what sticks...and this is coming from someone that's always looking for gaming news. Imagine if i wasn't.

 

[Seiryu21]

DOA

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around Xbox's marketing as of right now.

Everything feels so aimless and trying to throw everything at the wall to see what sticks...and this is coming from someone that's always looking for gaming news. Imagine if i wasn't.

It feels 3 years late to the party in now a very crowded space

Some of us have talked about this handheld for quite awhile now and most people here knew this was coming

Just doesn't feel needed imo

 

[Mownoc]

A partner handheld? So not made by them? They already exist.

 

[jshackles]

This is what I was wondering. The OP mentions Xbox BC on the PC box, but not necessarily the handheld. Says the handheld is more geared towards PC so I guess we'll see what that means.

Educated guess: they've been talking about game streaming for owned games being a thing "coming soon" for a while now. I'd lay money on this device working with their streaming platform. Or having a PlayStation Portal-like "stream from your own console" experience for BC games. I'd love to be wrong, but I doubt we see native Xbox games on PC from Microsoft any time soon.

 

[nial]

Did I read that correctly? That they're planning to release their own handheld on top of the OEM partnership?

 

[Loomy]

I still remember the "Switch 2 by end of this year" posts from 3 years ago

 

[ShaiKhulud1989]

I wouldn’t trust Jez even if he would say that the snow will be white this winter, because of course he missed the volcano eruption memo for December somehow.

This information might be true, but we need an actual and reputable source to corroborate first.

 

[mckmas8808]

Welp! It's as good as true then. Making this a "branded" Xbox handheld is NOT....I repeat.....is NOT a good thing long term.

 

[mansoor1980]

Keenan

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Welp! It's as good as true then. Making this a "branded" Xbox handheld is NOT....I repeat.....is NOT a good thing long term.

Just another Windows machine is a head scratcher imo also confirmed by an actual source here

Because the Xbox handheld is just another Windows device.

 

[Darsxx82]

Did I read that correctly? That they're planning to release their own handheld on top of the OEM partnership?

2025 for a handheld/partner..... 2027 their own handheld + XSeries succesor

 

[mckmas8808]

Just another Windows machine is a head scratcher imo also confirmed by an actual source here

So disappointing. So will they come out with a next-gen Xbox handheld too in 2027? I'm confused.

 

[Kurotri]

I'm.. not sure I understand. He talks about a partner handheld coming out this year, and then alongside the Series X successor they are releasing their own handheld in 2027? Why are we getting 2 handhelds so close to each other?

 

[GHG]

Just another Windows machine is a head scratcher imo also confirmed by an actual source here

Well the question then becomes which existing windows handheld brand are they going to slap their logo on?

Whoever it is will give us a good indication for who they will partner with for that upconing rumoured PC.

 

[NonPhixion]

A partner handheld? So much for MS subsidizing it a little bit to keep the cost reasonable/attractive.

I was looking towards this as I want a portable gaming device for the slow days at work. I guess it’s wait and see, but maybe the Switch 2 is the answer.

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

So disappointing. So will they come out with a next-gen Xbox handheld too in 2027? I'm confused.

I don't believe the 2027 timeline unless something happened internally and no I don't believe another handheld then, will still be a 2 sku "console" approach with this handheld

Well the question then becomes which existing windows handheld brand are they going to slap their logo on?

Whoever it is will give us a good indication for who they will partner with for that upconing rumoured PC.

Very good point

 

[PauloRoberto]

Since the a handheld pc market is VERY NICHE, the only reason a xbox branded machine would exist.... is to see if xbox brand has any lasting remaining power, at least for a niche gaming market.

 

[mckmas8808]

I don't believe the 2027 timeline unless something happened internally and no I don't believe another handheld then, will still be a 2 sku "console" approach with this handheld

But MS wouldn't dare put out a new Xbox console in 2027 that would need to run games on this 2025 handheld though right?.........No disrespect to you my man, but that just can't be true. They've made some bad moves, but that would be the worse of all time.

 

[Punished Miku]

Since the a handheld pc market is VERY NICHE, the only reason a xbox branded machine would exist.... is to see if xbox brand has any lasting remaining power, at least for a niche gaming market.

If your library comes with you, it would. If not, then no. It's pretty much their make or break moment there. Up to this supposed forward compatibility team.

 

[Kvally]

 

[VAVA Mk2]

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

But MS wouldn't dare put out a new Xbox console in 2027 that would need to run games on this 2025 handheld though right?.........No disrespect to you my man, but that just can't be true. They've made some bad moves, but that would be the worse of all time.

I expect the handheld this holiday and yes a new Xbox console as well though I don't buy the 2027 timeline

But yeah all signs point to this happening

And no disrespect taken, just relaying info that honestly we have talked about quite awhile around here

But I agree I don't think its a smart move

 

[mayham2199]

If your library comes with you, it would. If not, then no. It's pretty much their make or break moment there. Up to this supposed forward compatibility team.

Its just a windows based PC handheld so whatever works right now between PC/Xbox will stay the same.

 

[Topher]

It feels 3 years late to the party in now a very crowded space

Some of us have talked about this handheld for quite awhile now and most people here knew this was coming

Just doesn't feel needed imo

Yeah, we even speculated widely that it may be made by an OEM

 

[HeisenbergFX4]

Yeah, we even speculated widely that it may be made by an OEM

Yeah we have talked about this very device for quite awhile