A new report reveals Microsoft's ambitious video game hardware roadmap, projecting a next-generation Xbox console for 2027 and an Xbox-branded handheld gaming device for late 2025.
Windows Central, citing sources, details a partner PC gaming handheld, codenamed "Keenan," slated for a late 2025 release. Simultaneously, a successor to the Xbox Series X and S is reportedly in full production, targeting a 2027 launch.
While Microsoft remains officially silent, previous comments from executives hint at these plans. In January, Jason Ronald, Microsoft's VP of Next Generation, discussed integrating Xbox and Windows experiences for PC gaming handhelds produced by OEMs (like Asus, Lenovo, and Razer). This "Keenan" project, however, is distinct from a first-party Xbox handheld, which Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming boss, previously indicated was further off.
The next-gen Xbox, reportedly approved by CEO Satya Nadella, is positioned as a premium successor to the Xbox Series X. This console, along with a first-party Xbox handheld and new controllers, aims to complete Microsoft's 2027 console offering. Notably, the report suggests no direct successor to the Xbox Series S is planned, possibly positioning the handheld to fill that market segment.
Windows Central anticipates the next-gen Xbox will have a more PC-like architecture than its predecessors, supporting third-party storefronts like Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG, while maintaining backwards compatibility. This aligns with Xbox president Sarah Bond's past statement about Microsoft's pursuit of "the biggest technological leap ever in a generation" in next-generation hardware.
The future of consoles is a topic of much debate. The Xbox Series X and S are facing challenges in the market, and Sony has signaled the PlayStation 5 is nearing the midpoint of its lifecycle. While Nintendo prepares for the Switch 2 launch, concerns persist about the traditional console market's viability.
Spencer has acknowledged the console market's stagnant growth, noting a large but unchanging player base focused on a few major titles. Previous comments from former Xbox executive Peter Moore even suggest internal discussions about the console's future.
This latest report, however, indicates Microsoft's continued commitment to the console market.
