Microsoft’s Next Xbox Handheld May Feature Switch-Like Docking — Launch Targeted for 2027

New reports suggest that Microsoft’s upcoming handheld Xbox console will feature a Nintendo Switch-style docking system, giving players the ability to seamlessly switch between handheld and TV gameplay. This hybrid design could significantly expand how Xbox fans play their favorite titles, both on the go and at home.

Two Xbox Handheld Projects in the Works

Rumors surrounding an Xbox handheld have circulated for some time, but now the picture is becoming clearer. While Xbox head Phil Spencer confirmed in 2023 that a handheld console was in development, few details were provided.

According to the latest insider reports, two separate handheld Xbox devices are currently in the works:

• One is being developed in partnership with ASUS, and could launch as early as late 2025.
• The other, being built directly by Microsoft, is shaping up to be a more advanced device—potentially the true successor to the Xbox Series X—with a targeted release date of 2027.

Switch-Style Docking and Cross-Platform Compatibility

According to a new report from Windows Central, Microsoft’s in-house handheld console will include a dockable design, allowing players to use the device like a traditional console when connected to a display. This would align the device more closely with the Nintendo Switch than with portable PC consoles like the Steam Deck.

The report also notes that the device is likely to use Qualcomm chips, a detail hinted at in recent Microsoft job listings. If accurate, the console would support a wide range of games — including titles purchased through the Microsoft Store, Epic Games Store, and Steam. This opens the door to broader cross-platform access, possibly even enabling Xbox players to run PlayStation-published PC titles for the first time.

However, Microsoft has yet to officially confirm many of these features, so players should treat these claims as speculative for now.

Possible Timeline: 2025 Reveal, 2027–2028 Launch

At present, the Microsoft-developed handheld is tentatively expected to launch in 2027, though some uncertainty remains around the exact release window. According to journalist Jez Corden, an official announcement could happen as early as 2025, while other documentation—such as information surfaced during the FTC investigation into Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard—suggests a 2028 launch is also on the table.

Regardless of the final release date, it’s clear that Microsoft is preparing to take a major step into the handheld market with a versatile device that could reshape how Xbox games are played across devices.