The Future of the Native Xbox Handheld No Longer Seems Certain

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Among all the significant console producers in gaming’s past, it’s only Xbox that hasn’t ventured into the handheld market. Despite the triumphs of PlayStation and Nintendo with their portable gadgets, Xbox has been hesitant to enter this sector. However, indications suggest that this could shift in the coming times. Lately, rumors have surfaced suggesting that Microsoft is developing not a single, but two Xbox handheld devices. One of these devices is said to be manufactured by Microsoft itself, while another is being developed by PC manufacturer Asus.

According to Jez Corden from Windows Central in March, the Asus Xbox handheld (Project Kennan) is expected to release this year, functioning similar to an Xbox-branded ROG Ally. This means it would primarily support PC games and not games designed for Xbox consoles natively. In contrast, Microsoft’s own handheld device, set to launch alongside the next-generation Xbox in 2027, is rumored to play Xbox console games and might even come with a docking station, similar to the Nintendo Switch. However, it seems there is uncertainty as to whether Microsoft’s handheld will indeed be released.

Microsoft’s Long-Rumored Xbox Handheld May Never See the Light of Day

The Native Xbox Handheld from Microsoft Has Reportedly Been Put on the Back Burner

If rumors about the upcoming Xbox portable device are accurate, it looks like an exciting addition to the Xbox family and could address a significant void in their hardware lineup. However, it seems that this handheld won’t be hitting stores anytime in the near future. According to recent reports by Jez Corden, Microsoft has temporarily shifted focus from its own portable device to support Windows-based PC handhelds such as Project Kennan. While Microsoft is still reportedly keen on releasing a dedicated handheld at some point, it won’t be available until 2028 at the earliest. Keep in mind that there’s always a chance that this project might get postponed or even canceled down the line.

The Xbox Series X/S Generation Has Been Marred by Inconsistency

The main challenge Xbox has faced during the Xbox Series X/S era is a lack of consistency in its business strategies. It appears that Microsoft frequently alters its gaming division’s business plan every few years without sticking to it. When the Xbox Series X/S was launched in 2020, Microsoft emphasized it as the most powerful console worldwide and marketed it on the basis of exceptional first-party exclusives. However, after Microsoft acquired Bethesda in 2021, Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, stated that most (if not all) future Bethesda games would be exclusive to platforms where Game Pass is available, such as Xbox, PC, and cloud systems.

In just a few short years since their launch, many of the promises made about the Xbox Series X/S have not been fulfilled. The PS5 Pro now holds the title as the most powerful console available, with Microsoft showing no signs of creating a rival to match it. To add insult to injury, the Xbox Series X/S has also struggled to deliver captivating AAA exclusives. The already scarce amount of first-party exclusive content from Microsoft during this generation has dwindled even further due to their shift towards multi-platform releases. Recently, games like Forza Horizon 5 and Gears of War: Reloaded have been made available on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles as well.

It’s Unlikely that Microsoft’s Hardware Plans Will Remain the Same in 2028 and Beyond

Over the past few years, Xbox’s strategies have undergone significant changes, causing some consumers to question the brand’s reliability. Microsoft assures us that a new-generation Xbox console is in the pipeline, but there are doubts about its eventual release. Similarly, the prospect of an Xbox handheld device seems uncertain at best. If the claims that Microsoft has put the development of this system on hold, as suggested by Jez Corden, are true, then it’s unclear if it will ever see the light of day. To be honest, given how Microsoft has managed its current Xbox consoles, it’s hard to imagine their hardware plans remaining consistent over the next three to four years.

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2025-06-03 21:05