Another day, another hardware rumour in the gaming world—this time surrounding the future of Xbox. According to a report from Windows Central, Microsoft’s gaming division is gearing up to diversify its hardware portfolio, with the first-ever Xbox handheld set for this year. Allegedly, this will be joined down the road by a new slew of consoles in 2027.
This news comes just weeks following the tumultuous upheaval of Xbox’s role in the industry, with platform exclusives becoming a thing of the past as big franchises like the coveted Forza make the jump to PlayStation.
Trying new things
In the three generations that the Xbox brand has been around, it has never once jumped into the handheld space. But, with the rise of efficient PC handhelds such as the Steam Deck, it seems like Microsoft is now interested in experimenting.
That seems to be exactly what the alleged new Xbox-branded handheld will be, according to the aforementioned Windows Central report by Jez Corden.
Codename “Keenan” this gaming handheld is apparently going to be a partner device between Microsoft and a lead PC gaming OEM (think the likes of Lenovo, Asus, Acer, etc.) This new Xbox-branded handheld is expected to feature the full Windows experience, albeit with Xbox-forward elements.
Considering that Microsoft itself is a hardware giant, it is quite curious that it’s employing the help of another manufacturer to help design an Xbox device. That said, PC OEMs have been refining their knowledge in the space over the last few years, so this could be a reason why.
As for the traditional console space, Corden’s report points to 2027 as the launch year for “a premium successor to the powerful Xbox Series X.” Such a timeline would fall in the average for a console lifespan, so it’s a plausible estimate.
Xbox’s identity
Microsoft’s gaming division has found itself in an interesting position. This generation has been quite the rollercoaster—from the very expensive and heavily-contested acquisition of Activision-Blizzard to the relatively tepid sales of the Xbox Series X|S, and moves to break down walls of exclusivity. It’s clear more than ever that Microsoft is seeking to turn Xbox into an overall gaming brand that covers services, software and hardware, practically regardless of platform.
As a result, some may argue if it’s even worth it to invest in another Xbox. Well, Microsoft doesn’t seem keen to bow out of the hardware race just yet. Its goal now is to find its place, rather than just being ‘not PlayStation.’
