Microsoft To Launch Xbox Handheld in 2025, Next-Gen Consoles in 2027

Microsoft plans to launch an Xbox-branded gaming handheld later in 2025 through partnership with a PC gaming manufacturer, followed by next-generation Xbox consoles targeting 2027, according to WindowsCentral. The handheld device, codenamed "Keenan," will run full Windows with Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass integration, featuring distinct Xbox design elements including an official guide button.

Microsoft is expected to use the device to test new Windows 11 "device aware" capabilities while reducing typical OEM bloatware. The next-generation Xbox console plans include a premium successor to Xbox Series X alongside Microsoft's own gaming handheld and new controller options with direct-to-cloud connectivity, the report said. These consoles will reportedly operate closer to Windows architecture, reducing developer porting workloads while maintaining backwards compatibility with legacy Xbox games.

I'd buy that for a dollar!

[nightflameauto]

Doesn't the Steamdeck do the whole PC in a handheld thing pretty well? Why would we want the added bloat of a full load of Windows 11 in a handheld gaming device? Is Microsoft scared that they're losing some tracking potential to the Steamdeck market? Why do I keep asking questions? What has become of me?

Re:

[jacks smirking reven]

Some games, especially competitive online games that have anti-cheat measures don't appreciate Proton just yet so there are edge cases where people still want Windows. While it's doable to install Windows onto the Steamdeck it's not like, supported-supported.

That said Microsoft is not new with trying to take the Steam Deck crown. Lenovo, ASUS, MSI and Logitech have all tried and seemingly failed to approach the top spot even with pretty impressive hardware.

Re:

[Moryath]

That's because it's not the hardware that's the issue. Windows is unable to handle what's needed for mobile gaming. The Steam Deck and SteamOS were built to handle the dynamics of power management and to run an OS without a ton of bloat, and it shows in performance and battery life.

Re:

[jacks smirking reven]

I mean the ROG Ally got really good reviews, beating Steamdeck in performance and at least matching it in terms of battery life

"Overall, though, the ROG Ally feels like a quality upgrade over the Steam Deck, not a performance upgrade. It’s faster and more efficient, but you’ll mainly be running games with better visual quality at a higher resolution while getting similar performance and battery life." [digitaltrends.com]

But to many, including myself that just doesn't matter. Like I don't own any of these but if I

Re:

[rsilvergun]

The third party steam decks All tried to improve the hardware but it's just not ready yet so either the cost went through the roof for a fairly modest performance gain or in the case of MSI they tried using an Intel video chip and it's just not ready for prime time yet (although I've heard the desktop b580 is pretty great, it's also unobtanium).

The reason valve hasn't put out a new steam deck cuz they're just isn't any good reason to. There needs to be a huge leap to justify the expense and AMD who makes

Re:

[jacks smirking reven]

Yeah my bet is the next AMD gen after Strix Halo might be enough improvement for Steam Deck 2, plus when you hear Gaben talking about it they put a lot of risk into it's development so they're even still probably recouping that a bit.

The B580 is quite a nice piece of kit, I am glad Intel is staying in the GPU game. Even their newest integrated chips are putting out nice numbers.

Microsoft

[krisbrowne42]

learning the wrong lessons, too late, since they entered the game console market. They’d make more stopping hemorrhaging money on Xbox hardware, creating an optimized streaming app in steam for Xbox subscribers.

"premium successor to Xbox Series X"

[ffkom]

We all know "premium" means "extra expensive, incurring periodic payments, and you-own-nothing[TM] licensed, to be shut off whenever M$ wants". MicroSoft has clearly abandoned the console market when they declared unconditional surrender towards Sony, and even games from Microsoft owned studios are now playable at their best only on Sony hardware. An "always online" terminal server is just Google Stadia reloaded, and that rumored "premium" console will just be a PC that is even less upgradeable or flexible

Portable XBox? Nice. I want ...

[Qbertino]

... a 10" display, detachable controller(s), sturdiness and battery life (8 hours is my hallmark) over thinness, docking-station/HDMI compliant USB-C connectivity, 1TB of storage and at least the performance of the XBox One X, preferably the XBox Series S with a little extra on top. I also want full compatibility with all my XBox peripherals, including controllers, headphones, etc.

1080p resolution is enough for me, but I want it to run snappy.

Let's see what you can do, M$, and I might just give you my money

I'm curious how they're going to do it

[TheDarkMaster]

Putting the Windows 11 shitty code into a portable? And compatible with Xbox which basically uses x86 desktop processors? And running that shitty html code trying to pretend to be desktop applications?

Windows CE, Zune, Clippy, and Kinect get a friend

[Talon0ne]

One more log on the pile.

Before fixing OEM bloatware....

[rickkw]

how about fixing Microsoft bloatware on Windows 11 first?