Microsoft Gaming CEO confirms much-awaited Xbox handheld is in development

Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, recently spoke to Bloomberg about what the company is working on and what's next for Xbox gaming. In that interview, the Microsoft Gaming head revealed that the Xbox team is currently working on developing handheld prototypes.

Although this is not the first time we heard about a potential handheld device, it's the first time that Phil Spencer confirmed the news to be true. The Microsoft Gaming CEO also talked about how they are going to approach the development of this device and what his plans are for the software side of things.

This article will explain what this revelation means and when you can expect the company to release the handheld console.

Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and rely on the writer's opinion.

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Phil Spencer reveals he is indeed working on an Xbox handheld device

The Xbox Elite Series 2 Core Wireless Controller (Image via Microsoft)

While speaking to Bloomberg, Phil Spencer admitted that there are tremendous expectations from Xbox to do something in the handheld category, and Microsoft is not letting this opportunity go. Spencer mentioned that he is working with creative teams in China for a possible handheld prototype device.

The Microsoft Gaming CEO is taking it quite seriously and even asked the Xbox team to analyze the market. Therefore, the kind of device this handheld ends up becoming will depend on what the market requires. For example, it could either be a locked platform like the Nintendo Switch or a PC-esque device like the Steam Deck or the ROG Ally.

However, Spencer has reiterated that the real work will be on the software side of things, which surely requires some improvements. The hardware inside the handheld console won't mean much if the software can't drive it to its full potential.

Unfortunately, users believe that the current Xbox app in Windows is a mess. Even our personal usage made it evident that it doesn't provide a great experience. The app tends to bug out, crash, freeze indefinitely, or refuse to launch games. Therefore, the software experience matters as much as the hardware performance, and Microsoft certainly understands this.

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When will the new Xbox handheld release?

According to Phir Spencer, an Xbox handheld is still years away from launch, which is understandable. The Microsoft Gaming head is viewing this project on a long-term basis, so he will probably take his sweet time before finalizing everything.

If you are hoping to buy an Xbox handheld anytime soon, you will be sorely disappointed. For now, you will have to contend with Steam Deck-like devices or wait for the Nintendo Switch 2, which isn't that far away.