Microsoft is discussing the idea of producing a handheld console dedicated to PC gaming under the Xbox brand. This initiative, which indicates that the company is evaluating new hardware projects in the gaming world, was confirmed to Bloomberg by Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer .
Spencer had previously expressed the idea of “Xbox handheld PC device” in an interview with IGN and said that the first stages of this concept have been launched. These statements show that Microsoft aims to offer a new experience specific to PC gaming in the handheld console category.
While details of this potential Xbox handheld remain unclear, Spencer specifically emphasized that native game support will be a key component. Spencer, who noted that he finds leading handheld devices such as the Asus ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Valve Steam Deck inspiring, said that if Xbox were to produce a handheld, it would aim to provide users with a portable gaming experience without sacrificing native gaming performance.
However, it has been noted that Microsoft’s work in this area is in the early research and prototyping stages, and any product launch could be years away.
Microsoft has focused its efforts on making the Xbox app work more efficiently on existing handheld consoles at this point. According to Phil Spencer’s statement, the priority is for the Xbox app to provide a better user experience.
Improving the performance and user experience of the Xbox app, which already works on Steam Deck and other handheld consoles, is among Microsoft’s short-term goals. Thus, users will be able to use the Xbox game library more efficiently on existing handheld devices even before an official handheld console from Microsoft arrives.
Microsoft is also optimizing the Xbox app
This new strategy shows that Microsoft is taking a cautious approach considering the dynamics of competition in the hardware field. The company is focusing on improving the current user experience rather than taking a hasty stance, especially since there are already popular devices such as Steam Deck in the portable gaming market.
The company aims to provide a more powerful experience to users by optimizing the Xbox application, thus strengthening the infrastructure of a possible handheld console device that may be announced in the future.
Microsoft’s idea of developing a handheld console focused on PC gaming could intensify competition, especially among portable gaming devices. The company is evaluating the potential for expansion in the PC gaming market while also analyzing user needs.