Microsoft’s Xbox chief, Phil Spencer, has been dropping hints a few potential Xbox handheld for months now. Earlier this 12 months he mentioned he was “a giant fan of handhelds,” after liking posts on X that point out the opportunity of this new {hardware}. Now, in an interview with IGN Spencer says “I believe we must always have a handheld, too.”
It’s the most important trace but that Microsoft is engaged on an Xbox handheld, one thing that’s been long-rumored. “The longer term for us in {hardware} is fairly superior. The work that the group is doing round totally different kind components and other ways to play, I’m extremely enthusiastic about,” mentioned Spencer. “At this time was in regards to the video games… however we may have a time to come back out and discuss extra about platform.”
Pressed on whether or not an Xbox handheld would stream video games or play them domestically, Spencer dropped an additional trace that Microsoft is taking a look at a real handheld gaming machine moderately than one thing just like the PlayStation Portal. “I like my ROG Ally, my Lenovo Legion Go, my Steam Deck. I believe having the ability to play video games domestically is basically necessary,” mentioned Spencer.
Earlier this 12 months Spencer talked about wanting a compact Xbox mode on a handheld gaming PC. “I need to have the ability to boot into the Xbox app in a full display, however in a compact mode,” mentioned Spencer in a Polygon interview. “Like I need it to really feel just like the sprint of my Xbox once I activate the tv. [Except I want it] on these units.”
I think what Microsoft is engaged on is an Xbox handheld that’s Home windows-based, however that has the power to run Xbox video games and the complete Xbox dashboard. On The Vergecast earlier this 12 months, I mentioned my preferrred for an Xbox handheld. It could run Home windows at its core however by no means expose this to you so it seems to be and appears like an Xbox console, however if you wish to run Steam video games or Xbox video games, you’ll be able to.
