Xbox confirms it plans to create a handheld, but that it is "years away"
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has confirmed that the company plans to create an Xbox handheld in the future, but that fans may be waiting a while for the system.
The details:
Speaking with Bloomberg, Spencer acknowledged that Xbox is expected to enter the handheld gaming space at some point and that it intends to do so. However, he stated that the release of any type of handheld is still "years away."
Spencer explained that Microsoft is currently working on various prototypes to figure out what the system should do. He added that the hardware team behind the project is analyzing the current market to “develop its vision based on what it learns.”
In the meantime, Xbox is working to improve its mobile offerings, starting with ensuring that its official app works well on a variety of devices and even collaborating with hardware manufacturers. “Longer term, I love us building devices,” the CEO said. “And I think our team could do some real innovative work, but we want to be informed by learning and what’s happening now.”
Spencer previously stated in an interview with Polygon that he wants his Lenovo Legion Go "to feel like an Xbox." He went on to say that the portable PC market, which includes the Steam Deck and Legion Go, lacks the Xbox experience, such as the ability to immediately load into the Xbox app, making it feel like the home console experience with all of its core features. This followed reports that Xbox was developing "fully native Xbox handheld" prototypes.
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