Summary
- CEO Phil Spencer hints at potential Xbox handheld console, following praise of the Steam Deck and ROG Ally.
- Fans are hopeful for an Xbox portable device after Spencer's comment in interview after the Xbox Games Showcase.
- Xbox's future hardware plans have been teased by Spencer and Bond, with potential exciting reveals to come this holiday season.
CEO of Microsoft Gaming, Phil Spencer, has reignited rumors that there may be an Xbox handheld console sometime in the future. The overwhelming success of the Nintendo Switch, along with the positive reception of portable devices like Valve’s Steam Deck, the Asus ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go have caused many gamers to feel increasingly hopeful about the prospect of an Xbox handheld console.
There have been rumors for years, growing in frequency as time passes, that the gaming giant has a portable device in the works. Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer has been very open with his praise of the Steam Deck and ROG Ally, sharing in interviews how much he enjoys having access to Xbox Game Pass while on the go. And with PlayStation releasing the Portal in November 2023, many consider it almost a necessity that Xbox release a handheld console sometime soon.
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After the Xbox Games Showcase on June 9, Phil Spencer sat down with IGN for an interview. He discussed a number of things, such as the recent shutdowns of Arkane Ausin and Tango Gameworks, the Activision Blizzard acquisition, and Xbox’s future multiplatform release plans. But one brief sentence stood out the most for many viewers. The interviewer brought up the idea of a portable Xbox console and the company’s philosophy of going where the players are. Phil’s response was simply, “So we should have a handheld. I think we should have a handheld too.”
When Do Gamers Expect a Possible Xbox Handheld Reveal?
“The future for us in hardware is pretty awesome,” was Spencer’s conclusion. Other than that, the CEO refrained from going into further detail, deferring questions about the subject to Xbox President Sarah Bond. For her part, during an Official Xbox Podcast episode in February, Bond stated that there is some “exciting stuff” on the horizon for Xbox hardware. Granted, three new Xbox models were revealed during the June 9 Showcase, and those are slated to release during the holidays. But many people think Bond’s “exciting stuff” is something different, since the Xbox boss said details would be revealed this holiday.
I think we should have a handheld too.
The idea of an Xbox portable device is not a new one, and former head of Xbox Robbie Bach once revealed that the company had even looked at three different handheld devices prior to his departure in 2010. At the time, all three “Xboys” were rejected due to the expense, both in terms of development and manpower. Spencer has also previously discussed what he would want in an Xbox handheld. Besides form factor and ergonomics, the executive thinks it’s important that people enjoying their games on a portable device not feel like a “lesser Xbox player.”
Microsoft Xbox Series X
- Brand
- Microsoft
- Battery
- 2 x AA (LR6) Batteries (Included)
The Xbox Series X boasts the fastest CPU and GPU configuration currently available for a current-generation console while offering 1TB of fast SSD storage for users out of the box.
It comes with an Xbox Series S|X controller, a power cord, and documentation along with a trial for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate in the box.
- Dimensions
- 301 mm × 151 mm × 151 mm
- Weight
- 9.7 lbs