If you’ve been waiting for the Xbox handheld to materialize, you’re not alone—so have we (and probably Phil Spencer’s barber). If you’ve been keeping track, the Xbox handheld rumor has been circling longer than most TV shows last, thanks to Phil Spencer, who seems to relish in keeping the rumor fire burning.

Recent chatter suggests ASUS is teaming up with Xbox on a portable console, while Microsoft’s 2027 handheld appears to be stuck in the waiting room. Think of this as your Xbox handheld news HQ. We’re collecting every confirmed fact, rumor, and suspiciously specific leak—from Microsoft’s lips to the depths of gaming forums. Plus, we’ll keep refreshing this page with each new development, so you’re always in the loop.

Xbox Handheld: So What Are They Calling It Anyway?

Wondering what Microsoft plans to call its mysterious handheld? So are we! At this point, the name is as much a secret as what’s actually inside the device. Until there’s an official reveal, the Xbox handheld is nameless—just like your favorite character in an RPG before you hit “confirm.”

Xbox Handheld: The Road from Prototypes to ASUS Collaboration

Back in 2021, Windows Central pulled back the curtain to reveal Microsoft had been quietly auditioning Xbox handheld prototypes in its tech laboratory. It wasn’t until 2024 that Phil Spencer, the head honcho at Xbox, decided to go public and reveal that his team was busy exploring every hardware form factor under the sun.

As 2024 rolled on, Microsoft ramped up the hype by polling gamers on handheld devices, while Phil Spencer dropped hints in his IGN interview about exciting things ahead for Xbox hardware. A few months later, he doubled down in a Bloomberg chat—yes, he’s genuinely excited about the handheld idea, but don’t camp out at your local store just yet. For now, Microsoft’s main mission is to make sure existing Windows handhelds are running smoother than a well-oiled joystick.

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Shortly thereafter, the conversation shifted when news broke that ASUS and Xbox were jointly working on a third-party handheld device, slated for release in 2025. The situation became more concrete when ASUS officially teased the device in March, followed soon after by an early May leak that provided a first look at the hardware.

Meanwhile, whispers started swirling that Xbox had quietly pushed its own first-party handheld plans for 2027 to the back burner, instead putting more energy into the ASUS collaboration and fine-tuning the Windows handhelds already on the market.

ASUS Xbox Handheld: Early Glimpses and Leaked Details

In case it bears repeating, speculation is high that Xbox and ASUS are plotting a joint handheld release for 2025—because apparently, two tech giants are better than one.

Between the sanctioned teasers and the inevitable leaks, there’s been no shortage of early glimpses at the device lately.

Out of all the leaked images floating around online, one stood out by giving fans a glimpse at what the ASUS Xbox handheld might actually look like:

The leaks didn’t stop at pretty pictures—early specs started circulating too, claiming this thing will rock a Ryzen Z2 Extreme with 8 cores, a hearty 36W TDP, and a head-turning 64GB of lightning-fast memory.

Of course, all these leaks are just appetizers—save room for the main course when the official announcement drops.

What Games Will the Xbox Handheld Play? Everything We Know

Right now, we’re still in the dark about the exact game lineup for any Xbox handheld—Microsoft hasn’t made any promises yet. And because the 2025 edition is said to use Windows, you can expect the Xbox App for PC to be at the heart of the experience.

Any game available via PC Game Pass or Xbox Play Anywhere will be ready to play on the handheld and the list of compatible games is only expected to grow.

Plus, with Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play in the mix, you’ll be able to stream a wider selection of console games straight to the device.

To add to the excitement, there’s talk that support for Steam, the Epic Games Store, and additional launchers might be in the cards, making this device a crossover hit for PC and Xbox gaming communities.

When Is the Xbox Handheld Coming Out? The Latest Rumors

While nothing has been formally announced, a constant flow of rumors and industry whispers seem to agree that the handheld is targeting a late 2025 rollout.

According to Windows Central, the device’s hardware is already buttoned up, so the spotlight has shifted to finalizing the software and making the interface as user-friendly as possible.

With so many hints—plus that official teaser—it’s hard to believe anything but a 2025 release is in the cards for Microsoft.

But as always, it’s smart to hold off on getting too excited until we hear something official.

How Much Will the Xbox Handheld Cost at Launch?

If the rumors are true, we could see the ASUS Xbox handheld drop in 2025 with a price somewhere in the $499 to $599 ballpark.

Spencer’s been clear: set the price high enough and you’ll have a very exclusive club—just you and your expensive hardware. Still, building fancy toys isn’t exactly a bargain hunt.

The Next-Gen Xbox Handheld: Dream or Delay?

Apparently, Microsoft has been toying with the idea of a homegrown Xbox handheld for a while now, because who needs ASUS when you’ve got ambition and a roadmap for the next console generation?

Turns out, Microsoft’s plans for a 2027 handheld are now in ‘maybe someday’ territory. Instead, they’ve taken up the noble pursuit of perfecting Windows handhelds and rooting for ASUS from the sidelines. Looks like Microsoft wants to patch the leaky boat before building a brand-new yacht.

A 2027 launch? Let’s just say you might have better luck finding Bigfoot. Word is, Microsoft’s still keen, but “soon” has apparently been rescheduled to “eventually.”

The ambition is that, when it does arrive, it will offer support for both native Xbox console titles and Windows PC games.