Microsoft may finally be ready to take Xbox on the road. A new report suggests an Xbox-branded handheld is being lined up for a 2025 release window, potentially marking the company’s most direct push yet into the fast-growing portable gaming space dominated by devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.
### A Partner-Made Xbox Portable?
Rather than building the hardware entirely in-house, the report indicates Microsoft could work with an established PC manufacturer to produce the device. That approach would mirror the broader Windows handheld trend, where companies like ASUS and Lenovo have built portable PCs around Microsoft’s operating system—while Microsoft focuses on software, services, and platform strategy.
### Windows, Xbox, and What It Might Run
If the handheld is Windows-based, it could potentially support PC storefronts and apps alongside Xbox services, with the Xbox app and Game Pass positioned as the centerpiece. The big question is whether Microsoft would push for a more console-like “Xbox OS” experience on top of Windows—something closer to a streamlined, controller-first interface—especially as handheld players increasingly prioritize quick-resume convenience and battery efficiency over desktop flexibility.
### Where This Fits in Xbox’s Next-Gen Plan
The handheld chatter arrives as Microsoft continues to broaden Xbox beyond a single box under the TV, investing heavily in Game Pass, cloud streaming, and cross-platform publishing. Over the last few years, Xbox leadership has openly discussed interest in handhelds and exploring new device categories, but the company has not formally announced an Xbox portable.
### Why This Matters
A credible Xbox handheld in 2025 would be less about competing with traditional consoles and more about meeting players where they already are: on-the-go, on PC, and across multiple storefronts. If Microsoft can deliver a smooth Xbox-first interface with strong Game Pass integration—without the usual Windows handheld friction—it could become one of the most important platform moves of the next hardware cycle.
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