Microsoft Executive Indicates Xbox Handheld Console Still Years from Release

Microsoft’s leading figure in gaming, Phil Spencer, has been quite open about his interest in launching an Xbox handheld console to rival top handheld gaming devices like the Steam Deck OLED and Asus ROG Ally X. However, during a recent chat with Bloomberg, Spencer made it clear that if such a device is in the works, it won’t be hitting the shelves anytime soon.

Spencer admitted, “We have an idea of exploring something in this area,” but he cautioned fans and industry watchers not to expect its release for a few more years.

“I have a genuine love for creating new hardware,” Spencer mentioned to Bloomberg. “I believe our team would bring some truly groundbreaking designs to the table, but it’s vital we learn from current trends and developments first.”

For the moment, Microsoft’s focus remains on enhancing the Xbox app experience on existing PC gaming handhelds. There’s particular interest in optimizing Xbox features and games for these devices. Recently, Microsoft rolled out a new “compact mode” update for the Xbox app on Windows, targeting mobile devices. Many reviewers — and I can vouch for this — have pointed out that Windows 11 doesn’t quite complement handhelds like the ROG Ally or Lenovo Legion Go.

The discussion with Bloomberg also touched on Microsoft’s future acquisition plans, in the wake of its colossal $69 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard in 2023. Additionally, Microsoft is working on establishing mobile game stores, although progress has been stalled.

The Steam Deck, which launched in early 2022, has been hailed as a pioneer in the modern PC gaming handheld space. Although it received an OLED upgrade, it hasn’t yet been fitted with a more powerful gaming chip. Valve has hinted there won’t be a new version soon. Meanwhile, most of the popular Windows gaming handhelds are powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme, marking this as the dawn of what could be an evolving scene.

While Xbox might be trailing behind the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 in the console race, Spencer reassured Bloomberg that, “The business is thriving as we expand further into PC and cloud gaming, alongside our console lineup. This lays a stronger foundation for our future in hardware and gaming content.”

For an Xbox handheld to make a significant impact, it must stand out significantly from the competition such as the Steam Deck and devices from brands like Lenovo, MSI, and Asus. The coming years could bring remarkable changes, and any latecomer will need to deliver something truly riveting to capture attention.