Xbox boss teases new handheld console – Phil Spencer almost confirms Xbox handheld rumors

RUMORs of an Xbox handheld have been circulating for some time, and Xbox boss Phil Spencer has been hinting at one for months.

In an interview with IGN on Sunday, Spencer all but confirmed Microsoft’s plans to make a portable Xbox console.

When asked specifically about this, in the context of Xbox’s “go where the gamers are” strategy, he responded:

“I think we should have a handheld too,” adding that the future of Xbox hardware was “amazing.”

Spencer then said that last night’s Xbox Games Showcase was about gaming, but the company will have time to come out and talk more about the Xbox platform.

“We can’t wait to bring this to you,” he said, hinting at upcoming announcements about new hardware and new ways to play in the Xbox ecosystem.

When asked again what a hypothetical Xbox handheld would look like, he said, “I think being able to play locally is really important.”

Your answer suggests that if we were to see a portable Xbox console, it would be more like a Steam Deck that could play games on its own, rather than a streaming device like the PlayStation Portal.

Rumors about an Xbox handheld are nothing new, as Phil Spencer himself confirmed in 2017 that such a device had been “roughly designed” at Microsoft in the past.

Despite Phil Spencer’s latest comments, there is still nothing official about an Xbox handheld and no details on the features and specifications of such a device.

Meanwhile, at last night’s Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft revealed three new Xbox Series X|S console models. S, offering more storage and a new all-digital white Series X.

If you’re looking for more information on the new games revealed last night, check out our recap of the Xbox Games Showcase announcements.

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