Key Takeaways
1. The Xbox handheld, codenamed “Keenan,” is expected to launch later this year, but Microsoft will not produce it themselves.
2. A well-known manufacturer like Asus, Lenovo, or MSI will handle the hardware development, with Microsoft creating a simplified version of Windows 11 for it.
3. The handheld will feature a special Xbox button for adjusting settings like fan speed and refresh rate.
4. The choice of chip for the device remains uncertain, with options including AMD’s Ryzen Z2 and Intel’s Lunar Lake series, but performance is not expected to be groundbreaking.
5. Microsoft is also working on a next-generation console to succeed the Xbox Series X, set for release alongside a fully developed Xbox handheld in 2027.
Rumors regarding an Xbox handheld have been circulating for quite a while now, and they are not something new. Recently, Jez Corden from Windows Central added some exciting details to the story with his latest scoop. The handheld, which is referred to by the code name “Keenan,” is expected to be released later this year. However, it seems that Microsoft won’t be the one to actually produce it.
Hardware Development Insights
It looks like a well-known manufacturer, such as Asus, Lenovo, or MSI, will handle the hardware development. Microsoft is planning to assist in creating a simplified version of Windows 11 that will be free from unnecessary software. Additionally, there will be a special Xbox button included, allowing users to adjust settings like fan speed, TDP, refresh rate, and more. Basically, this handheld is just a more efficient version of a typical handheld device, featuring software tweaks from Microsoft, along with a stamp of approval as an Xbox accessory.
Chip Selection Mystery
The biggest question still remains about which chip will power this device. Microsoft has a selection of options to choose from, including AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Go, Ryzen Z2, Ryzen Z2 Extreme, and Intel’s Lunar Lake or Arrow Lake-H series. In a post, Jez suggested that it might be the standard Z2, but that is not confirmed yet. Regardless, it is unlikely to achieve record-breaking performance, especially if it utilizes the anticipated Hawk Point-based Ryzen Z2.
Future Console Plans
Jez also mentions that Microsoft is working on its next-generation console, which will take over from the Xbox Series X. This new console is expected to be released alongside the first true handheld from Xbox that is developed entirely from scratch in 2027. This upcoming console is rumored to feature a combination of an AMD Zen 5 CPU and UDNA 1 (previously known as RDNA 5) GPU. There have been discussions about incorporating 3D V-Cache as well, but that technology might be reserved for Sony’s PlayStation 6.
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