Rumors about a handheld Xbox have been swirling for years, but now there’s fresh intel on its development.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer confirmed last November that the company was working on a portable Xbox. Jason Ronald, VP of Xbox Gaming Devices, also hinted at plans to merge the best of console and PC gaming into one device.
Now, a new report from The Verge claims Microsoft’s upcoming handheld won’t be built in-house. Instead, ASUS is reportedly leading the charge under the codename Project Kennan.
According to sources familiar with the project, the device will feature Xbox branding and could hit the market later this year. However, it’s still in development, meaning the timeline could shift.
The handheld will reportedly run Windows but with a more Xbox-friendly interface, making it feel like a true gaming console rather than a typical PC. Microsoft is looking to bring more hardware makers on board, aiming to unify Windows and Xbox across different devices.
Under the hood, Project Kennan is rumored to be powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Go chip. Pricing is expected to fall between $499 and $599, though nothing is set in stone just yet.
With ASUS taking the lead on production, Microsoft appears to be taking a different approach to handheld gaming. If the rumors hold up, we could see the first-ever Xbox portable later this year.
