An Xbox that you can "hold in the palm of your hand" could be landing in 2025.
There's long been speculation about Microsoft getting into the handheld space with a dedicated Xbox portable. We've even had plenty of solid hints along the way, including from Microsoft's own Phil Spencer. Well, the latest tidbit comes courtesy of well-sourced reporter Jez Corden.
Corden, who covers Microsoft, Windows and Xbox extensively, was speaking on a recent episode of the 'Xbox Two Podcast', in which he shared that "a little birdie" had told him that we may see "genuinely new hardware next year" in "some form for Xbox".
Earlier in 2024, Xbox President Sarah Bond did in fact tease that a new device was on the way, stating that a hardware announcement was coming "this holiday" — however, considering we're now ever so close to the end of the year, this is looking less likely.
As such, Corden was firm on this potential new handheld device now being a 2025 reveal, dismissing any chance of it showing up at next month's The Game Awards:
"I don't think you're going to see hardware at The Game Awards, but I do think next year is a good year for revealing new hardware especially new hardware that you can hold in the palm of your hand" — Jez Corden
On the podcast he goes on to joke with co-host Rand al Thor about playing Xbox games "on the bus" and "on the train". You can listen to this part of the conversation here (timestamped).
A dedicated, official handheld (and not just a Game Pass friendly third-party one) from the Xbox team is something Corden, along with many others, have been calling for quite some time now, with Corden calling it an "absolutely necessary" for Microsoft to get into the portable space.
Jez Corden
You can listen to the full (nearly four hours long!) Xbox Two Podcast here on YouTube, or right here:
As ever, take rumours with a grain of salt, but there's been plenty of consistent hints here, including from Xbox execs, so — would you be down for an Xbox-focused portable?