According to journalist Jez Corden, Microsoft is planning to release a portable Xbox-like device in 2025. However, this won’t be a new gaming console, but rather a handheld PC branded with Xbox. The device is expected to be created in partnership with another tech company, though it is unclear whether it will be made by ASUS, Lenovo, or MSI.
What to Expect from the Portable Xbox
Codenamed Keenan, this device will feature a distinctly Xbox design, including an Xbox guide button. It will likely run a full Windows operating system, showcasing the Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass, but users will also have the ability to install other apps like Steam. This handheld could be Microsoft’s attempt to test the market for handheld gaming devices and further refine Windows 11 features for this type of device. It’s expected that the Xbox Game Bar will play a key role in controlling settings.
What’s Coming After 2025?
Jez Corden also revealed that Microsoft’s next major console, which is expected to be more of a PC connected to the TV, is set to replace the Xbox Series X. However, this new device, along with the true portable Xbox, will not be released until 2027. According to Corden, the new devices will be much closer to the Windows environment, making it easier to run games, while still maintaining full backward compatibility with Xbox’s existing library of games. Microsoft and its users are determined to keep this feature intact.
