Update []: In the aftermath of Windows Central reporter Jez Corden’s previous comments, more details are beginning to emerge about Microsoft’s next-gen strategy – and they couldn’t possibly deviate further than Sony’s.
According to a monstrous exclusive report by the scribe, the Redmond firm will partner with another manufacturer to release an Xbox branded handheld later this year. This will presumably be PC-based, and will be used to demo some of Windows’ new features.
It’s a dramatic departure from Sony’s approach with the breakaway success of the PS Portal. The Remote Play handheld streams games from the PS5, and is positioned more as an accessory. It’s been a best-seller right around the world.
Corden doesn’t specify who’s making the aforementioned Xbox branded handheld, although he does mention it may be able to run services like Steam. The ROG Ally X costs around $800 and the Lenovo Legion Go about $700, so expect something in that ballpark.
While the dedicated PC handheld market is proving popular among enthusiasts, the Steam Deck’s install base is estimated to be around a third of the PS Vita’s lifetime sales.
Corden continues that Microsoft is making its own handheld to launch alongside a new “console”, scheduled for release in 2027.
However, he implies that whatever Xbox is cooking up will be “closer to Windows than ever”, insinuating this may not be a traditional console, but effectively a pre-made PC instead. He once again implies that other platforms like Steam and the Epic Games Store may run on the device.
Exactly how this business model is going to work for Microsoft remains unclear, though. Consoles have certainly been getting more expensive lately, but they remain relatively affordable because manufacturers like Sony subsidise the costs in order to get you into their ecosystems. Exactly how the Redmond firm will achieve that on an open platform remains unclear.