Is Microsoft developing a handheld Xbox?
Microsoft has long hinted at launching a handheld gaming device, but there is still no official information to date. While the company continues to improve the software experience for Windows-based handheld gaming devices, reports remain conflicting regarding when an actual Xbox device will appear. Furthermore, there is much speculation about whether Microsoft’s next generation of consoles will continue to follow the traditional console model.
According to Windows Central, Microsoft is planning to launch a handheld device before the end of 2025, which could serve as a reference device for Windows-based handheld gaming machines. However, some other sources deny this, claiming that a handheld Xbox will not appear this year.
Another rumor suggests that Microsoft is collaborating with a third-party manufacturer to develop a device codenamed “Keenan,” running on Windows, similar to the Asus ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go. However, unlike the aforementioned devices, this Xbox handheld might integrate the Xbox Guide button and utilize Xbox design language. If true, this device could mark a major shift in Microsoft’s strategy, as they combine Windows and Xbox elements to optimize the handheld gaming experience.
Will the next generation of Xbox be more like a PC than ever before?
While it remains unclear whether a handheld Xbox will become a reality, Microsoft is still preparing for the next generation of Xbox, rumored to launch in 2027.
According to sources, Microsoft has officially approved the development plan for a new Xbox system, with ambitions to create the largest technological leap in the company’s history. Notably, this device will function more like a PC than any previous Xbox generation.
I’ve seen the report about Microsoft’s Project Keenan, and just to be clear there is no first-party “Xbox handheld” arriving in 2025. Keenan is part of PC gaming handheld work with OEMs, like Microsoft’s VP of Next Gen told us at CES www.theverge.com/2025/1/7/243…
— Tom Warren (@tomwarren.co.uk) 11 March 2025 at 04:09
The new Xbox will support backward compatibility, making it easy for users to replay games from previous generations. Additionally, game developers will not need to put in excessive effort to port games between PC and Xbox, making the ecosystem more open.
When combined with the plans Microsoft announced at CES, along with Phil Spencer’s statements about bringing third-party game stores to Xbox, the question arises: Will the next generation of Xbox still be a true console? If the Xbox 2027 is actually a full Windows system optimized for gaming, this could mark a revolution in Microsoft’s gaming strategy, completely transforming how the company approaches the console market.
Whether it is a handheld Xbox, a new generation Xbox, or both, Microsoft is clearly taking steps to reshape the future of gaming systems, with the ambition of combining the power of PC and the Xbox ecosystem to create a gaming experience more flexible than ever before.
