The Ultimate Guide to the Upcoming Xbox Handheld: What We Know and the Latest Buzz

What is going on with the Xbox handheld?! For a while now, we have been hearing about plans for Xbox to create such a device, and even Xbox chief Phil Spencer has mentioned it on several occasions. There is definitely something brewing behind the scenes at Microsoft right now, even though it hasn’t been officially revealed yet.

In this comprehensive guide, you will find everything we know so far regarding the Xbox handheld, including all the information that has been shared by Microsoft as well as the most intriguing rumours that have surfaced along the way. Just like our next Xbox console guide, we will continue to update this post with the latest crucial details over time.

Here’s everything we know so far about the forthcoming Xbox handheld:

What Is The Name Of The Xbox Handheld?

Microsoft has yet to confirm what the Xbox handheld will be named. We’re not expecting to hear anything in this regard until the device gets officially unveiled, so disregard any guesses you may have encountered – it does not have a title whatsoever yet!

What’s The Latest Update About The Xbox Handheld?

The Xbox handheld was first brought up in a Windows Central article back in 2021, which noted that Microsoft had been “experimenting” with prototypes for a period of time. It wasn’t until 2024 that Xbox chief Phil Spencer hinted at an interest in such a device however, indicating that his team had been exploring “various hardware configurations“.

Things began to heat up regarding the Xbox handheld during 2024, with Microsoft rolling out a survey about “handheld gaming devices” and Phil Spencer once again suggesting an “exciting” future in hardware during an interview with IGN.

Finally, Phil confirmed to Bloomberg in November 2024 that he “loved” the idea of developing an Xbox handheld, but with the note that it is a long-term goal – with current focus being on enhancing existing Windows handhelds.

“Longer term, I envision us creating devices. And I believe our team could accomplish some truly innovative work, but we’re eager to learn by observing and understanding what’s happening now.”

Since then, it has been reported that Sony might also be working on a handheld to compete with the Xbox device in the future, though everything on both sides still appears to be in the early stages as the situation stands.

In 2025, all we have heard about the Xbox handheld so far is that Team Xbox aims to deliver a console-like experience to Windows handhelds throughout the year, which of course could extend to the dedicated Xbox handheld eventually.

What Are The Rumours Indicating About The Xbox Handheld?

There have been numerous rumours circulating regarding the Xbox handheld recently, some of which are more captivating than others! Many of them focus on exactly when we might see the device for the first time, with some believing it could be as soon as this year – albeit perhaps as a teaser rather than a full reveal.

There have been reports suggesting that the Xbox handheld could launch alongside the next Xbox console, which itself has been speculated to arrive sometime after 2026. It seems the plan, at least as it stands right now, is for Xbox to leap into the next generation with some remarkably cool new hardware for fans to enjoy.

If you are wondering whether the Xbox handheld will allow you to access games natively (rather than just serving as a dedicated cloud streaming device), it is believed that it almost certainly will – though this has not been completely confirmed yet.

What Games Will The Xbox Handheld Support?

There is no way to know exactly which games the Xbox handheld will support until Microsoft provides confirmation, but considering it is likely to be a Windows PC-style device, the focus will probably be on the Xbox App on PC.

If you can access a game via PC Game Pass, you will almost certainly be able to play it on the Xbox handheld as well, with additional compatibility expected to be added as well. Don’t forget about features like Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Remote Play that will further enable more console titles to be streamed to the Xbox handheld too!

Will The Xbox Handheld Have A 2025 Launch Date?

We’re not expecting the Xbox handheld to launch in 2025, though there’s a chance it could be teased for the first time. As previously mentioned in the guide, a rumour from last year did hint at the possibility of a reveal sometime in 2025.

However, Xbox chief Phil Spencer has insisted that enhancing the Xbox App and UI to better suit existing Windows handhelds is the immediate priority, which will undoubtedly benefit the Xbox handheld when it finally launches. Based on that, we suspect that the Xbox handheld might not release until at least 2026, and possibly much later than that.

How Much Will The Xbox Handheld Cost?

It’s quite challenging to estimate how much the Xbox handheld will be priced at right now, as we reall