As a long-time gamer with years of experience under my belt, I am beyond excited about the prospect of an Xbox handheld device! The portability factor alone would be a game-changer for me, allowing me to take my beloved Xbox games on the go without needing a console at home.
As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly keeping tabs on the latest Xbox news, and it looks like we might be seeing some exciting partnerships in the handheld market! In a recent sit-down with Bloomberg, Xbox head honcho Phil Spencer hinted at this very possibility, suggesting that expanding our horizons by teaming up with more companies is the next big move for Xbox. Can’t wait to see what these collaborations bring to the table!
It appears that Xbox is venturing into the world of mobile gaming by launching a mobile version of Age Of Empires and partnering with various publishers to release their games on Android and iOS devices. As suggested by Phil Spencer in an interview with Bloomberg, expanding into the Chinese market may be a strategic move for global domination in the gaming industry.
Expanding globally is a significant accomplishment, however, when it comes to portable gaming, mobile gaming stands out as a unique market distinct from what console gamers like Xbox are accustomed to.
It appears that the sales of Series consoles are allegedly on a downward trend. Each of Microsoft’s quarterly financial reports for the 2024 fiscal year indicates a decrease in growth when compared to the same period the previous year.
The sluggish sales of the Xbox consoles suggest that Xbox may be lagging behind in the hardware race, particularly when compared to Nintendo and Sony. If they wish to cater to their console gaming audience effectively, it’s crucial for them to stay competitive.
Contrary to some assumptions, the Game Pass isn’t an exception. Instead, Xbox’s subscription model played a significant role in Microsoft’s substantial 61% revenue growth during the first quarter of their 2025 fiscal year. This impressive increase was largely due to the release of Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6.
Is Microsoft’s Game Pass service recipe proven successful, and with plans to venture into the portable gaming sector, could it potentially challenge the upcoming Switch 2 and any potential Steam Deck 2, if they were to launch an Xbox handheld device in the future?
According to Phil Spencer, it’s likely several more years until we can expect an Xbox-branded handheld console. Microsoft still has plenty of time to develop a product that could match up favorably against competing devices.
Nintendo Switch 2
Since its debut in 2017, Nintendo has managed to sell approximately 146 million Nintendo Switch consoles, trailing only behind the Nintendo DS’s impressive sales figure of 154 million units. This underscores Nintendo’s dominant position as a leader in handheld gaming, and any attempts by Xbox to penetrate this market will necessitate facing off against the formidable Japanese gaming giant.
Speculation about Nintendo’s upcoming next-gen console indicates it might boast a bigger screen and battery, in addition to innovative magnetic rails for Joy-Con attachments. It seems that such enhancements could be manageable for Xbox, given that portable devices like the Lenovo Legion Go are equipped with similar features already.
Purchase your Nintendo Switch here: Nintendo Switch via Amazon
As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled about the confirmation of the Switch 2 featuring a backward compatibility function! However, I believe Nintendo won’t pose much of a challenge for Microsoft in this regard, given that their Xbox Game Pass already extends backward compatibility all the way back to original Xbox games.
The challenge lies in finding a way for Microsoft to keep up, particularly in terms of hardware and performance, when compared to the high-performing handheld devices on the market.
Steam Deck / Steam Deck 2
In the unveiling of the Steam Deck OLED, Valve hinted that they’re already developing a Steam Deck 2. Meanwhile, Microsoft is seeking collaborators for mobile gaming, which might lead to a genuine Xbox portable device around the same time as the launch of Steam Deck 2.
This just means that the Xbox handheld isn’t only competing with Steam in terms of its native operating system and storefront but also in terms of hardware. Currently, the most powerful Steam Deck has the following specs:
- Display
- Resolution: 1280 x 800 x RGB
- Type: HDR OLED
- Refresh Rate: up to 90Hz
- APU: 6 nm AMD APU
- CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
- GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.6GHz (1.6 TFlops FP32)
- APU power: 4-15W
Although some portable devices can match the capabilities of the Steam Deck, they are all categorized as handheld computers and are unlikely competitors for an Xbox handheld device. These handheld computers can technically run Xbox games using the Game Pass application; however, they remain personal computers.
A portable Xbox device should be equipped with an efficient, standalone operating system and customized software specifically for the hardware, ensuring optimal gaming performance on a mobile platform.
The Steam Deck boasts an advantage with its built-in operating system and a digital marketplace, which is often favored by gamers compared to other options available.
Purchase your Steam Deck here: Steam Deck via Amazon
In the upcoming years, it’s likely that Steam will strive to deliver superior hardware with the launch of Steam Deck 2, a task that may prove difficult due to its complexity.
Pricing and Remote Gaming
Limited Edition White costs about $679. This suggests that the upcoming price range for an Xbox handheld device might be similar to these two.
Although the Xbox Series S retails for just $300, Microsoft has faced challenges in moving these devices off shelves. This indicates that an affordable price point alone may not guarantee success in the realm of console gaming.
Despite being pricier than typical remote devices for the PS5 and holding just a small portion (3%) of the U.S. PlayStation market, PlayStation’s PS Portal was still their top-selling accessory in 2024, according to Circana, an American market research firm.
Indeed, it appears that the PlayStation Store (PS Portal) hasn’t found widespread favor among most American PlayStation users. It’s unlikely that Xbox would aim for similar user numbers on their upcoming handheld device. If they were to incorporate Game Pass into their handheld device, however, Xbox stands to gain significant potential benefits.
Everything We Want to See in an Xbox Handheld
We’re big enthusiasts of video games across the board, with many members of our social group owning either an Xbox console or a related accessory. Now seems like the perfect moment for Xbox to extend its advantages into the realm of portable gaming, going beyond mobile devices.
Owning a portable Xbox device would offer the convenience of playing games anywhere, with access to Xbox-exclusive titles as well as the Game Pass. This is not referring to cloud gaming on other devices, but rather having a physical device in our hands, made by the creators and developers of the games we enjoy.
Today, portability reigns supreme, and here’s what we can anticipate if Xbox chooses to venture into the realm of portable gaming devices.
Exclusive Games, Design, and Controller
Mentioned by our top editor, Alister Kennedy, is his fondness for Xbox-exclusive titles like Forza, Fable, and numerous others, which make up the appeal of the Xbox gaming platform for him.
Kris Alfonte, our go-to person for all things social, mentioned his preference for the Xbox controller’s design. He finds it incredibly comfortable and suitable for various gaming genres due to its unique asymmetrical shape and ergonomic grip.
Purchase your Xbox here: Xbox Series X via Amazon
As a gamer myself, I’ve noticed that the battery life on my Xbox Elite 2 controller is remarkably longer than what I get with the DualSense controllers. Alister mentioned he could game for days straight on a single charge, while Kris likened the DualSense to an iPhone in terms of battery performance.
Clearly, DualSense stands out with its impressive features, which are currently enviable even for Xbox controllers. We eagerly anticipate seeing such features in a future Xbox handheld, given the recent leaks suggesting a redesign for the upcoming Xbox controller.
Xbox Game Pass
Without a doubt, the Xbox Game Pass stands out as an exceptional value when it comes to game subscriptions, offering a vast array of top-tier gaming titles. It’s no wonder that it has become indispensable for many gamers, thanks to its affordable price and extensive library of fantastic games.
Alister remarked that it’s just as crucial as Netflix now, whereas Kris pointed out that it’s an excellent choice for avid gamers with ample playtime to maximize the benefits provided by Game Pass.
Using an Xbox portable device for playing various games outside your home is conveniently suitable for experimentation purposes.
Xbox Ecosystem
It’s been established by both Alister and Kris that Gears of War is an outstanding game, but unfortunately, Microsoft has not been actively using many Xbox intellectual properties for a while.
Restating in a simpler and more conversational manner: A portable Xbox device could serve as an excellent platform for revitalizing the Xbox brand. If Microsoft adds flagship games to this handheld device, it would help compete with other brands. However, they should consider naming it differently from their Series consoles to avoid confusion, since having the same name but different hardware can be misleading.
It’s straightforward to differentiate between the letters X and S at a basic level, but consumers may still find it perplexing due to their similar sounds.
In essence, Xbox possesses the necessary capabilities to develop a portable gaming powerhouse equipped with top-tier features, ensuring an exceptional Xbox gaming experience wherever you go.
With advancements in portable gaming hardware outperforming both the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck, Microsoft could benefit from studying these developments and create an entirely fresh Xbox experience.
It remains to be seen if Microsoft can match the advancements made by Nintendo and Sony in gaming by 2025. Keep yourself informed about the latest developments in this field by tuning in to Gfinity Esports for up-to-date news and tales.
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2024-11-15 19:13