Summary
New reports indicate that Microsoft’s upcoming handheldXboxconsole, which will likely be released in 2027, will feature a Switch-style docking system. This could be a game-changer forXboxfans, as it would give players the ability to use the device as a handheld or on a TV whenever they’d like.
Rumors about the upcoming Xbox handheld console have been swirling around for a while. Last year,Phil Spencer confirmed that an Xbox handheld was in the works, but did not give many details about the project. To make the constant rumors even more difficult to comprehend, there seem to be two handheld projects being developed at the same time. One of them is an Xbox handheld, which will be manufactured by ASUS, and could be released before the end of 2025. The “true” Xbox Series X successor, however, will be developed by Microsoft itself, and it seems to be aiming for a 2027 release.
Now,Windows Centralhas reported that the Xbox handheld, which is being created by Microsoft, will be “complete with a docking station emulating the Nintendo Switch.” Therefore, it’ll be ideal for gamers looking for an experience more similar to playing a traditional console thanthe upcoming Xbox handheld made by ASUS. The reports also indicate that the project will use Qualcomm chips, as suggested by a recent job listing, and that it will be compatible with both titles purchased on the Microsoft Store, the Epic Games Store, and Steam. It’s best to take this rumor with a grain of salt, as Microsoft has not yet confirmed that this feature will be available in the final product.
Xbox’s Next Handheld Could Include a Docking System Similar to Nintendo Switch
If this upcoming Xbox handheld will indeed be able to play Steam games, it could mark yet another important change for players, as it would be thefirst time that gamers could run PlayStation games on an Xbox console. However, it’s still unknown if this will be possible or if there are any limitations to prevent that from happening.
At the moment, theXbox console is expected to be released by 2027, but there’s still no guarantee that this release date is either official or realistic. Some reports from Jez Corden have indicated that the product will be announced sometime during 2025 and may aim for a 2027 launch. However, other sources, such as the information unveiled during the FTC trials of the Activision Blizzard acquisition, point out that there’s a possibility of the next device targeting a 2028 release.
