Microsoft Reportedly Pulls Back Development on Its Own Xbox Handheld to Focus on Third-Party Devices

Microsoft has reportedly pulled backmost connected processing its ain Xbox handheld console.

Microsoft was reportedly readying to motorboat its ain handheld instrumentality sometime astir 2027, perchance alongside its next-gen Xbox. Microsoft gaming brag Phil Spencer precocious indicated a first-party Xbox handheld was years away.

However, a caller study by Windows Central present claims Microsoft's priorities person "shifted," with the squad present focusing connected improving Windows 11 gaming show for third-party devices, moving alongside partners similar Asus connected its Xbox-branded handheld device, codenamed Project Kennan. According to Windows Central, unit were internally informed that "priorities are moving much profoundly towards third-party OEM handhelds successful the interim."

Photos of Asus' Xbox-branded handheld instrumentality leaked online earlier this month. Two images of the Asus ROG Ally 2 instrumentality — 1 white, 1 achromatic — went nationalist via the Indonesian certification office, which linked to a (now deleted) listing connected the U.S.'s FCC website. Interestingly, Windows Central's study adds "the hardware broadside is fundamentally finished," and is thought to beryllium 1 of the archetypal devices to usage the AMD Z2 Extreme processor.

The tech specs astatine this clip are a small piecemeal, truthful it's not wholly wide however it'll tally oregon if there's immoderate meaningful quality betwixt the achromatic and achromatic versions. Rumor has it the devices are "currently being tested astatine Microsoft HQ alternatively openly arsenic we speak."

Last month, Asus Republic of Gamers' X/Twitter relationship shared a teaser offering a little glimpse astatine some a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and handheld system. The authoritative Xbox relationship acknowledged the tweet with a cheeky wide-eyed gif, suggesting it was gearing up for a ceremonial reveal.

The successor to the Xbox Series X is reportedly "fully" successful accumulation and owed retired successful 2 years, tying successful with Xbox president Sarah Bond's caller comments that Microsoft was "moving afloat velocity up connected our adjacent procreation hardware, focused connected delivering the biggest technological leap ever successful a generation."

Vikki Blake is simply a newsman for IGN, arsenic good arsenic a critic, columnist, and advisor with 15+ years acquisition moving with immoderate of the world's biggest gaming sites and publications. She's besides a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her astatine BlueSky.