While we’re all waiting for an update on the Switch 2’s release, another console rumor has grabbed our attention. An Xbox handheld console could be released in 2025. The information has not been provided or confirmed by Microsoft, but Windows Central was able to find evidence of an Xbox next-gen handheld being produced via a partnership between the Windows company and an unknown manufacturer. 

Codenamed “Keenan,” the Microsoft portable console will give the company a chance to capitalize on the popularity of handheld gaming devices right now, opening up a new door for both their business and their customers. The new Xbox handheld rumors are sparse and there’s very little to go on in terms of specs and what gamers can expect, however, we’re still excited about a potential release as early as 2025.

Xbox next-gen handheld

The Xbox handheld console could be a game-changer but it may also lack sufficient upgrades to convince users to consider a purchase. It’s too soon to tell. (Image: Xbox Series X)

Is an Xbox Handheld Console Releasing in 2025? The Rumors Say Yes

The unconfirmed Xbox handheld console rumors could initially be dismissed as pure hearsay but we’ve heard members of the Xbox team bring up the possibility of such a console before. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, previously mentioned his interest in entering the handheld console market back in June last year. 

Later in November, while speaking to Bloomberg, he confirmed that the company could be expected to “do something” with portable gaming devices and was in the process of working on a prototype. 

Similarly, in January, Jason Ronald, a VP of the Gaming devices division, told The Verge that the Windows handheld gaming division could see some changes later in the year. It is evident that an Xbox handheld console is in the works and the company is actively strategizing on its release, but a timeline for this is still unconfirmed.

When Is the Xbox Handheld Release Date Set For?

The Xbox next-gen handheld could be released in late 2025, but no confirmation on the release has been provided yet. From the rumors, the console will be released in 2025, with the next generation of Xbox hardware releasing in 2027, to keep up with the shifting cycles of console sales we’re seeing today. The PS6 from Sony is also expected to be released in 2027, so it could be a big year for gaming hardware.

Is Microsoft Manufacturing the Portable Console?

The Xbox handheld console rumors suggest that Microsoft is partnering with an equipment manufacturer, a well-known PC gaming OEM, for a large part of the production. The name of the manufacturer is unknown but the device will retain many of the features that current Xbox owners are already familiar with. Expect “an official Xbox guide button, and Xbox design sensibilities” on the console. 

The company may eventually work on an internally created handheld in the future. Future launches, possibly in 2027, could bring us a more premium version of the console along with other updates to the current Xbox consoles. The next-generation Xbox console could also be a more TV-friendly PC with an OS more similar to the Windows setup. 

New Xbox Handheld Rumors Suggest Big Things Are Coming in 2025

Xbox consoles already have a dominating presence in the gaming market alongside the PlayStation devices, but the sales have not been as impressive as the company would like. Handheld console gaming is a category that’s primarily led by the Switch, while others like Asus with the Rog Alley, Lenovo’s Legion Go, and Valve with the Steam Deck have attempted to make a stand.

These handheld consoles are obviously a big part of the gaming experience but the lack of sufficient games for these platforms has disappointed fans. Games like the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadow launch are not being ported to the Steam Deck, but for Xbox, a growing catalog of games could be a lot easier to secure. 

Offering Windows, Steam, and Xbox Game Pass functionality to a handheld device could be relatively easier for the company, making fans more willing to purchase it instead of a competitor’s handheld.

How Are Fans Reacting to the Rumors of an Xbox Handheld Console in 2025

For the most part, gamers are excited to see what an Xbox handheld console will look like in 2025. The more options there are for gaming hardware, the more freedom gamers have to pick and choose a gaming platform that suits their preferences. The Xbox handheld console rumors don’t give us any details on the possible specs and features of the device so it is hard to tell how it will match up to the hardware options we have today.

Some fans would understandably prefer a more juiced-up version of the Xbox or PS consoles we have today. This would guarantee improved performance without the learning curve of mastering a new console or putting up with the limitations of a first-gen device that will inevitably exist. No hardware comes out perfect on the first try and some compromises are always made. We’re hoping the Analogue Nintendo 64 console won’t suffer from this malady considering it’s being built for older tech, but we’ll have to wait to see how that release goes this year. 

Fans are also unsure how to feel about an Xbox handheld that isn’t a portable Xbox with native OS. An original console from Xbox may be better received but with such few rumors on the Xbox handheld console to go on, it’s hard to say what’s coming yet.

Is Microsoft’s Portable Console the Answer to Preserving Its Future with Gaming Hardware?

Microsoft’s decision to bring its first-party Xbox games to other platforms has raised some eyebrows. It’s a good thing for gamers because it means that they get to try out their favorite games on other platforms but for Microsoft, it does put the relevance of their own Xbox consoles into question. 

For a while, it felt like the progress on Xbox consoles would slow down to focus more on the game releases and game pass access instead, but it is clear now that Microsoft isn’t planning on slowing down with its hardware. From what we can tell, the company is leaning towards a more PC-OS-driven system both for its existing consoles and handhelds, so we may see a shift in how the device performs, but the Xbox hardware is not going away.

We’re hoping to learn more about the rumored Xbox handheld console release in 2025, so stay tuned to see what updates we can find. For more insight into the world of technology, subscribe to Technowize, where we cover all things tech.

tagged in Microsoft portable console, New Xbox handheld rumors, Xbox handheld console, Xbox handheld console rumors, Xbox handheld leak, Xbox handheld release date, Xbox next-gen handheld
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