Microsoft isn’t launching its Xbox handheld this year, but Asus might be
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer warned in November that the mythical Xbox handheld is a few years away and only at the prototype stage right now. But if you read the headlines this week, you might think itas actually arriving later this year.
A new report from Windows Central claims that aXbox's new hardware plans begin with a gaming handheld set for later this year, with full next-gen consoles targeting 2027a and that Microsoft is working on a aProject Keenana handheld in partnership with an unnamed OEM. The report has generated plenty of headlines about an Xbox handheld arriving in 2025, but the reality is a little more complicated and related to Microsoftas Xbox platform work to compete with SteamOS.
Sources familiar with Microsoftas plans tell me the companyas Xbox platform plans for this year and beyond are centered on one big goal: the unification of Windows and Xbox. Jason Ronald, VP of Xbox gaming devices and ecosystem, revealed to The Verge in January that the company is combining athe best of Xbox and Windows togethera and that wead start to see changes later in 2025.
I understand the Xbox work that has hit the headlines this week is actually c …