Sony and Microsoft may be trying to follow the success of the Nintendo Switch with their own plans; we’ve already mentioned the possibilities for Sony, now it’s Microsoft’s turn!

Windows Central editor Jez Corden, citing sources familiar with the matter, reported that the next-generation Xbox could include a handheld. This was hinted at by Xbox boss Phil Spencer in early 2024. Microsoft is said to want a handheld to go along with a traditional desktop console. Sony is probably following the same line of thinking, as the PlayStation 6 is planning two system-on-a-chip (SoC) chips, and one could be a cheaper variant!

So after the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, Microsoft could launch two different hardware models in the next generation, and the cheaper model could be a handheld. The Nintendo Switch and handheld PCs (Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw…) have raised interest in this format. And this is not the first time Corden has written about this, as he covered a similar topic in May. At the time, he claimed that Microsoft was working on a handheld Xbox console as a “reference device” for OEMs. He has since deleted the tweet. The handheld could have a strong AI focus, so some form of the Copilot artificial intelligence assistant seen in Windows 11 could show up on the platform.

Corden also wrote that Microsoft is not working on a console like the PlayStation 5 Pro. Instead, Redmond has announced a 1TB Xbox Series S, a 2TB Xbox Series X, and an Xbox Series X console without a Blu-ray drive. These will all be available from October 15. Microsoft has repeatedly said that the next-generation Xbox will be the most technologically advanced Xbox yet, and will certainly be available for purchase until around 2028.

All this is not official yet, but hopefully it won’t be done away with a handheld like the PlayStation Portal (which is only good for remote play; this Xbox could be used for Xbox Cloud Gaming?)

Source: GameRant, Windows Central