Microsoft eyes entering the handheld market eventually

Microsoft Gaming boss, Phil Spencer, has confirmed that Microsoft is eyeing entering the handheld market with a device akin to the Steam Deck. Now, it’s worth noting we shouldn’t expect anything about it for a couple of years.

Speaking to Bloomberg (via VGC), Spencer confirmed that its hardware team is currently researching the market to build its vision around. In the meantime, Xbox plans on making the app work better on existing mobile devices. It’s also going to join forces with hardware manufacturers to make sure its products sync.

This rumor-turned-confirmed report stems from an episode of The Xbox Two Podcast, and further pushed by a Polygon interview. Finally it was also touched on during an IGN interview.

While we have no timeline as to when we can expect to see more about this handheld, we’re sure it’s gonna be a solid piece of hardware that hopefully avoids the pitfalls that the PlayStation Portal — being just an accessory to the PS5 — fell into.

Gabriel Stanford-Reisinger Editor-in-Chief

Gabe has been a gamer since he was young, playing games like Pajama Sam, Freddi Fish, Guitar Hero, and whatever looked cool on GameFly. Ever since 2018, he's been infatuated with the inner workings of the gaming and entertainment industries, covering a wide range of topics from video games to TV and film. Starting as a contributor for PSX Extreme, he's worked his way up to its Managing Editor. Using what's he learned over the years, he founded Smash Jump to remind everyone to smash jump.