Highlights

  • Phil Spencer hints at the possibility of a handheld Xbox for on-the-go gaming, fueling rumors and excitement among fans.
  • Spencer discusses two approaches to building a handheld Xbox: first-party hardware or software optimization for Windows devices.
  • He noted how recent on-the-go experiences have fallen short of feeling like a true Xbox experience.

Microsoft's CEO of gaming Phil Spencer has now spoken about the possibilities of a handheld Xbox, detailing what he wants to see from such a device if it should ever happen. Rumors about the possible handheld Xbox are hot right now, and Spencer's comments may very well be him stoking the fires himself.

With Sony joining Nintendo and various other hardware manufacturers in the handheld gaming space, Microsoft may very well be the only game company left that still doesn't have a portable device. Fortunately for gamers who want to take their Xbox favorites anywhere and everywhere, unconfirmed rumors about Microsoft's own handheld have been growing stronger as of late, with many expecting a full-on announcement of its existence coming sooner or later. Right now, the closest thing to a handheld Xbox device is portable systems that can run PC games made by companies such as Valve, Lenovo, and ASUS.

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In a recent interview with Polygon, Spencer said that he's tried handheld PC gaming devices such as the Lenovo Legion Go, and those have fallen short of a true Xbox experience. “I want to be able to boot into the Xbox app in a full screen, but in a compact mode," he shared. "I want it to feel like the dash of my Xbox when I turn on the television, [Except I want it] on those devices.” He then goes on to specifically list down Fallout 76, which doesn't port over his Xbox save onto the version he's playing on his Legion Go.

Phil Spencer Says There Are Two Ways to Build a Portable Xbox

From there, Spencer then mentions two possible approaches to engineering a handheld Xbox. First is a true first-party handheld Xbox device made by Microsoft itself. He's been thinking about how a smaller Xbox would feel like in terms of its form factor, and while he hasn't mentioned any specifics, it's clear that he has some strong ideas about its ergonomics.

The second approach is based on software. Spencer acknowledges that gamers may not be necessarily dedicated to the Xbox as a console, but they still do want to play its games and have the same experience. He wants players to be able to choose any Windows-based gaming device and have the best possible experience without feeling like a "lesser Xbox player." While Microsoft is achieving this with the impressive variety of Xbox Game Pass titles right now, Spencer admits that there's still some (unspecified) work to be done.

Whether or not Microsoft does finally get into handheld gaming in the next few years, Spencer's comments do make it seem like PC gamers and those who want to play Windows exclusives may be in for a better experience sooner or later. The software-based improvements he's thinking about may very well be the next best step toward a portable Xbox, and that may not really need the iconic branding.