Microsoft hasn’t Given up on the Xbox Handheld Console
Microsoft, aiming to take its “everything is an Xbox” vision even further, is not backing down on the hardware side either. Recent statements about the future of the Xbox brand reveal that while the company is focusing on the next-generation main console, it hasn’t completely abandoned the idea of a first-party Xbox handheld console.
Xbox Handheld Console Plans Remain on the Table
The ROG Xbox Ally models, released by ASUS in 2025, clearly demonstrated how much the Xbox ecosystem values portable devices. These devices brought the “portable Xbox” idea to a wider audience by offering easier access to PC gaming platforms, especially Xbox Game Pass. However, this move hasn’t replaced Microsoft’s idea of developing its own handheld console.
According to journalist Jez Corden, Microsoft hasn’t completely abandoned its plans for a first-party Xbox handheld console. While the company’s current priority is the next-generation main Xbox console, the handheld console idea remains on its long-term roadmap. So, even if there’s silence in the short term, work continues behind the scenes in this area.
Meanwhile, Microsoft’s steps to strengthen the portable experience are also noteworthy. A new feature being tested for the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, powered by NPUs, aims to automatically convert gameplay moments into clips for shareability. This innovation, expected to be released in March 2026, once again demonstrates the importance Xbox places on mobile and social use.
The next-generation Xbox console is also expected to support different game launchers like Steam and Epic Games Store, inspired by the Ally X. All these moves together make Microsoft’s message clear: to make Xbox accessible everywhere and in every form, without being tied to a single device. As an important part of this vision, it is now clearer that the idea of an Xbox handheld console has not been entirely shelved.
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