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Xbox-Branded Handheld Planned For Later This Year - Report

It's apparently codenamed Kennan, which is nowhere near as cool as Project Scorpio.

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There could be an official Xbox-branded handheld out by the end of this year. A new report states that Microsoft is partnering with a PC gaming company, like ASUS or Lenovo, on the device, with a targeted launch in 2025.

According to WindowsCentral, the handheld is codenamed Kennan and will be similar in nature to the upcoming Lenovo Legion Go S--which will be the first device outside the Steam Deck family to run on Valve's SteamOS. So, the Xbox-branded handheld will likely run on Windows, featuring the Microsoft Store and PC Game Pass. The report also states the system will likely sport an Xbox guide button and aesthetics that fit the Xbox ethos.

A report from The Verge said Kennan is the codename for the handheld in the works from Asus. The report said it's part of a "larger effort from Microsoft to unify Windows and Xbox towards a universal library of Xbox and PC games."

Interestingly enough, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer mentioned an Xbox handheld is a "few years out" in November. (Spencer, for his part, has teased making an Xbox handheld for a while now, too.) This longer-term plan lines up with the report of the next Xbox launching in 2027. Basically, Microsoft plans to kick off the next generation with a Xbox Series X successor accompanied by an internally developed handheld system.

However, unsurprisingly, it's noted that this schedule could shift as Microsoft works on the future of the Xbox brand. For instance, WindowsCentral points to the Xbox-licensed handheld scheduled for this year to serve as sort of a test drive for Microsoft. There is also no specific details on the partnering company, which could also be Razer or MSI.

GameSpot has contacted Microsoft seeking comment on this report.

Earlier this year, a Call of Duty leaker claimed the next Xbox is planned for 2026. One aspect that Spencer has touched on is that the next Xbox hardware must be more innovative.

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GirlUSoCrazy

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GirlUSoCrazy  Online

If they're considering Razer, who has never made a handheld gaming PC, then that must mean there is potentially a lot of design work going into this.

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Boxhead777

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Edited By Boxhead777

I am more surprised they are going to another vendor (again after the dismal Logitech hand held deal)... like XBox forgot daddy Microsoft has a whole Surface hardware division full of engineers that could make them a sleek custom platform.

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GirlUSoCrazy

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Edited By GirlUSoCrazy  Online

@boxhead777: Nadella said that MS wants to spend less and increase margins for Xbox, so they are working with a partner that already did a lot of the work. That's what they did for the Zune. Then the next generation was designed in-house. It makes sense for MS to take this approach for a portable with others who have already done a few of their own iterations.

If you look at the ROG Ally, the first version had some serious problems with thermals, noise, battery, and the SD card slot. Do you want a first gen product for Xbox with issues or something more mature?

It's also expected that other companies will be able to make Xboxes in the future, so this could be the new normal.

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gameboy8877

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Edited By gameboy8877

@boxhead777: it says they’re still doing that too if you read it

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GreatQuantum

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GreatQuantum

If I can download a few games to it then yes. If it’s a “Stream deck” then no.

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tmihai20

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tmihai20

@greatquantum said:

If I can download a few games to it then yes. If it’s a “Stream deck” then no.

How is that different? All handhelds are like the Steam Deck.

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GreatQuantum

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GreatQuantum

@tmihai20: I said Stream Deck. One of those handhelds that just streams games over the Internet. Or like the PlayStation handheld.

I have a steam deck and that’s my favorite toy ever. It’s amazing that I can play so many old games the store is almost overwhelming with all the classic shit I love.

If it lets you download a few games to play on the go then I’m down.

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ntstambo2

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ntstambo2

@greatquantum: I bought one for my son this past Christmas fully decked out with the best specs and he used it for about a week, but hasn't touched it since. So I started messing with it, but hated it after the novelty wore off. I'll never understand how so many people now rely on these as their primary gaming device.

If you think about it, the Xbox Series S and Valve's happy meal toy are the lowest common denominator responsible for many of the complaints associated with many of the questionable design decisions plaguing some of the recent multi platform AAA gaming flops. Of course we're not told the truth at the time, but I firmly believe these 2 systems are responsible when we see games like Starfield release with empty planets, tons of loading screens, a wonky inventory management UI, etc. Same situation for POE2 and GGG wanting to slow everything down now that there's only a single code base vs. POE1, which had 2 before (console and PC).

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GreatQuantum

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GreatQuantum

@ntstambo2: I didn’t buy it to play all the latest stuff. I have an extensive library of games from the past that I can now play anywhere. I even have a travel case with keyboard and monitor for nights I have to dog sit.

Developers aren’t throttling games for steam deck. They’re either verified or they’re not.

It’s play time in pretend land so It’s only as serious as you make it. Stop taking it personally and move on. You talk like 90% of people have brain rot so why are you so surprised so many people don’t understand why Starfield is great. 😀

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ntstambo2

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ntstambo2

@greatquantum:

@greatquantum said:

@ntstambo2:

Developers aren’t throttling games for steam deck. They’re either verified or they’re not.

. 😀

Halfwit comment of the day. What do you think "verified" even means in this case? I'll tell you: it means it's been scaled back to run a mickey mouse handheld toy for people that can't afford PC that's halted any advancements for real PC gamers.

And the fact you think starfield is great the nail in the coffin that proves you're a halfwit. now go get your shine box.

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GreatQuantum

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@ntstambo2: I don’t expect you to understand why Starfield is great. It’s clearly overwhelming for you and gone over your head. That’s fine just game at your own pace.

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GreatQuantum

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GreatQuantum

What up with that?

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Gazhargaroth

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Gazhargaroth

Too late too the party, as an Xbox owner I would of bought one a year or 2 ago , just got a Asus rog ally X discounted at Best buy for 549$ , plays game pass very well, and steam, and other games I highly doubt would be playable on a Xbox portable.

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Shogunfox

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Shogunfox

Why would anybody want any of their future consoles if Microsoft is porting their games over to the competitions?

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ntstambo2

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@shogunfox: porting which games? like all 3 of them?

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hjroman

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hjroman

@shogunfox: Because the Xbox library cannot be transferred to the platforms of the competitors. What am I supposed to do with the dozens of games I have in my backlog or the ones I want to replay?

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gameboy8877

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gameboy8877

@shogunfox: they don’t have GamePass or a great controller or your library of Xbox games or generations older than 1

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GreatQuantum

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GreatQuantum

@shogunfox: because it’s pretend time so……who gives a fack??

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Edited By Nemesis

@shogunfox: obviously game pass. I still think not all games obviously but some will still be timed exclusives and will come out first on Xbox. Like for example you gotta pay full price for forza right. So if some games come out first on Xbox and coming out on gamepass day 1 that's all you need. Plus a lot of people that have Xbox love thier ecosystem. I like how you can play them on whatever you want PC and Xbox. Microsoft already said that they're will always be exclusivity. Just depends for how long.

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ntstambo2

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Edited By ntstambo2

@nemesis: that's exactly why you should cancel gamepass and just buy whatever games you want to play. especially if you're on PC where games are so much cheaper vs. console and since the last price increase. I also couldn't stand having to buy DLC's and having no control over what they'd remove from their lineup, or how much of a PIA modding is

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GirlUSoCrazy

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Edited By GirlUSoCrazy  Online

I hope it will be compatible with digital Xbox purchases. At the very least I expect it to show the improvements to Windows for gaming that Microsoft was talking about. It took someone else to show Microsoft how Windows games should run, hopefully Microsoft can do it right themselves.

This is surprising news, I didn't expect Microsoft to be making two handhelds, and I didn't expect new Xbox hardware this year!

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MigGui

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MigGui

@girlusocrazy: it will be very awkward if it’s just a PC with Xbox logo. How will you explain to your consumers that this Xbox doesn’t play your Xbox games, but plays your PC games? And then in two years they launch an actual handheld Xbox that has the Xbox OS and launches Xbox games? Weird

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GirlUSoCrazy

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Edited By GirlUSoCrazy  Online

@MigGui: That's for Microsoft to figure out. Hopefully they get some very clear messaging out there about exactly what the consumer can expect from various devices, and what the abilities and compatibility will be for each of them. Maybe this is part of people getting used to the idea that Xbox will be a gaming brand and not a specific platform.

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