How Could an Xbox Handheld Improve on Other Portable Consoles?

Highlights

• Xbox gamers hope for a new handheld console tailored for cloud gaming to address existing issues with poor streaming quality and controller compatibility.
• Microsoft should focus on creating a gaming-centric device with a seamless Xbox dashboard interface, instead of an all-in-one media player.
• Any potential Xbox handheld release should highlight Game Pass strengths, optimizing the interface and controls for an improved gaming experience.

While there was anticipation about hardware at the Xbox Games Showcase 2024, gamers only saw slightly revised Xbox Series X|S models. A new Xbox handheld console would have brought headlines, but mobile gamers also left disappointed. Fortunately, Phil Spencer responded to rumors about a portable console, confirming Microsoft’s interest in developing such a device.

Since PlayStation discontinued the Vita in 2019, the Nintendo Switch has dominated the portable console world. Smartphone gaming is as popular as ever, and PC gamers feel free to leave their gaming desks thanks to the Valve Steam Link. Yet, even with Microsoft taking its Cloud Gaming cross-platform, it lacks the polish of playing locally stored titles. Xbox Game Pass continues to gain subscribers, so it seems sensible to design compact hardware that takes advantage of its features and games. The number of failed handhelds is troubling, so how can Microsoft effectively mobilize the Xbox console experience?

Cloud Gaming Without Compromises

With cloud streaming through Game Pass Ultimate, players can access an extensive library of titles on various devices. Just some of the options include Android and iPhone gaming smartphones, smart TVs, and Windows browsers. However, even as the performance of streaming high-bitrate content continues to improve, each method comes with compromises.

With Game Pass, any smartphone can essentially become a portable gaming console. Still, even on the most powerful phones, the experience is hardly flawless. Waiting times to load cloud games have improved since the service launched, but other issues persist. It’s common for titles to become pixelated with screen tearing as Wi-Fi connections struggle to keep pace. Controller inputs can be laggy, which is a major drawback for competitive gamers on the go. These problems persist on all platforms, making some gamers hope for a handheld made specifically for Xbox Cloud Gaming, similar to the PlayStation Portal.

In the recent Xbox Showcase, Phil Spencer made it clear that any Xbox handheld console should be able to play games directly from storage. Regardless, the new portable console would be a missed opportunity if it wasn’t also tailored for cloud gaming. One downfall of streaming console-oriented games is that most phones don’t support 16:9 resolutions. Consequently, gamers are often left with black bars on the side, which is especially problematic on smaller screens where some text can already be hard to read. A handheld Xbox could address this simply with the proper screen ratio, making it the ideal display for traditional console games, whether streamed or played directly from the system.

Another obstacle for Xbox Cloud Gaming is finding an appropriate controller. While the streaming app allows gamers to activate touchscreen controls, most games aren’t designed for these inputs. Gamers who spend significant time with cloud gaming quickly realize the need for a mobile controller. This segment of the accessories market is exploding, and buyers can dramatically improve gameplay by wrapping these controllers around the edges of phones. However, some of the better pro-grade options (like the Razer Kishi Ultra) can cost upwards of $100. An Xbox handheld with a familiar, integrated control scheme could greatly streamline the process.

A new Xbox handheld console may still struggle to address some prevailing issues with cloud gaming, like bandwidth limitations. Even so, the console can find success by matching the streaming-specific PlayStation Portal capabilities while offering the ability to play games locally.

Designing a Portable Xbox Series X|S

As powerful as portable PCs like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally are, they lack the more singular focus of an Xbox console. With added complexity comes the ability to play a wider variety of titles and install gaming and non-gaming-related apps. Their advantages aside, there is always a demand for a console experience; with a simple interface, gamers can download and launch titles without needing workarounds. Even if players are limited to Xbox-compatible games, shrinking the S or X to a device with a smaller screen would have obvious appeal to non-PC gaming enthusiasts.

The question then becomes what are realistic expectations for graphics and sound quality on an Xbox handheld. Unless it’s in the form of a large tablet, matching the 4K resolution of the Xbox Series X would likely be overkill. Instead, the device should target the 1080p resolution of the ROG Ally, preferably with the ability to play games at a 120 Hz refresh rate. This would exceed the capabilities of the slightly older 720p Steam Deck when not docked. An Xbox handheld console could also provide smoother gameplay than the PlayStation Portal, which is limited by its streaming format.

What accessories are compatible with the console could also determine the fate of a mobile Xbox. One of the most common complaints with the PlayStation Portal is its lack of Bluetooth support. Gamers wishing to use wireless earbuds only have a choice between Sony’s own Pulse Explore or the larger Pulse Elite headset. The explanation is that these peripherals embrace PlayStation Link technology, a low-latency wireless audio format. Even if Microsoft doesn’t include a Bluetooth radio in its handheld, it must try to accommodate third-party gear. A dock would make using existing USB dongles more practical, but the average gamer doesn’t want to carry multiple earbuds when away from home.

With any console, a manufacturer needs to balance cutting-edge specs with cost. If Microsoft intends to match the Xbox Series S price point with a handheld, compromises are inevitable. The screen may be smaller than some buyers hope or at a lower resolution and maximum refresh rate. On the other hand, if the device is closer to the price of the ROG Ally, it introduces more performance potential. Microsoft also has the option to release different versions of the handheld, but they all need to have a unified interface and support for the same games and accessories.

Digital vs. Cartridge Handhelds

Microsoft has seemingly fully embraced disc-less gaming, recently announcing a digital version of the Xbox Series X. The Series S has existed without game discs for years, benefiting from an ever-expanding Game Pass collection. With a more open ecosystem, portable PCs like the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion GO allow owners to run games directly off internal storage or expandable micro SD cards. Still, if Microsoft releases a more conventional handheld console in the Nintendo Switch mold, gamers shouldn’t discount the possibility of game cartridges entirely.

Most industry experts would probably bet that any Xbox handheld console will be all digital, meaning users must purchase and download titles to storage. However, if the current Xbox consoles are any indication, players may not be able just to pop in any micro SD card to build large game collections. Much to the frustration of some, Microsoft requires a proprietary expansion card for the Xbox Series X and S, with only a few compatible options. Gamers can store files on slower external USB drives but can’t directly play newer titles without transferring them to an internal drive or supported expansion card.

Game disc and cartridge-based distribution is not dead yet, thanks to some Xbox and PS5 consoles, along with the Nintendo Switch. Blu-ray drives are impractical on mobile devices, leaving the possibility of an Xbox handheld with game cards or cartridges open. The Nintendo Switch shows no signs of abandoning its cartridges, with even the rumored Switch 2 expected to support newer and older physical games.

The debate between physical media and digital game downloads continues, each having advantages. Owning a cartridge means that a gamer will always have tangible proof of purchase, even if the console is no longer made or the manufacturer shuts down online services. Players can also easily swap or sell their games without titles being tied to an online account.

For all the perks of tangible media, there are reasons why a new Xbox mobile console wouldn’t want to depend solely on them. It hasn’t held back the popularity of the Switch, but small cartridges can become damaged or easily lost. They also require constant switching to boot different titles, while digital games can be browsed through and loaded with a few clicks. Nintendo hasn’t established itself in the cloud streaming world like Microsoft or Sony, but most games can be purchased and downloaded from their eShop.

If a new Xbox handheld takes the digital path, the cost of adding more storage could affect its success. One reason the PS Vita was a disappointing seller was the price of its memory cards, which were intentionally overpriced to regain some losses in manufacturing the hardware. Some Xbox Series S game versions are smaller than their Series X counterparts but still demand significant storage space. Without dramatically reducing the graphical fidelity of games for a mobile console, file sizes will quickly become an issue. An emphasis on a handheld’s cloud streaming features mitigates these concerns somewhat, but supporting third-party microSD cards would still make the system more appealing.

Keeping the Focus on Gaming

It would be tempting for Microsoft to market a new gaming handheld as an all-in-one device. The Nintendo Switch and PlayStation Portal are limited as media players and lack much of the functionality smartphones provide. Microsoft has found some glory with Surface tablets but has repeatedly failed to conquer the Android and iPhone mobile markets. Any portable gaming console from Microsoft should focus on gaming without a plethora of features that confuse buyers about its purpose.

Many Xbox gamers enjoy using the Xbox Series X and S consoles for their streaming capabilities. If Microsoft offers a full-fledged Xbox console experience on a handheld, it would already have a leg up on the competition. The critical factor is that gamers always remain on the Xbox dashboard interface and are not expected to browse other marketplaces or install plugins to use apps.

Ultimately, an Xbox handheld should emphasize that it’s a gaming console above all else. By combining locally stored titles with cloud gaming, the console’s core audience will not be deprived of content or reasons to use the device.

The Wait for an Xbox Handheld Continues

With only a vague reference to a potential handheld at the June showcase, the timeline for a new mobile console is still in doubt. Some industry insiders point to 2028 as a potential release date when Microsoft might also unveil a successor to the Series X. Others speculate that a handheld could hit the market much sooner to cash in the popularity of portable gaming.

To avoid becoming one of many soon-forgotten consoles, Microsoft should create a device that highlights the strengths of Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming. While there are ways to play Xbox games on portable PCs, like the Steam Deck, it’s hardly a seamless experience. Smartphones can now stream many of these titles, but the lack of an integrated controller and other annoyances make it fall well short of a console solely made for gaming.

When a gamer uses an Xbox handheld, they should be greeted by the familiar Xbox dashboard. Whether the display is 1080p or another resolution, users should have the option of playing purchased games directly from the device’s internal storage. At the same time, the console can remove some of the frustrations of cloud gaming with an optimized interface and controls. Other pitfalls to avoid include overpriced proprietary storage and limiting critical accessories like earbuds to first-party options.

Regardless of the exact release window, it seems inevitable that with similar leaks about a Sony handheld, Microsoft will follow suit. Game Rant will keep readers informed as more information about an Xbox handheld console trickles out.

FAQ

Q: Is the Xbox Series S portable?

Compared to typical consoles found in living or gaming rooms, the Xbox Series S is impressively compact. Still, owners will need additional accessories to make it more suitable for traveling. Retailers sell carrying cases, but more interestingly, small portable monitors made specifically for the Series S dramatically increase its portability.

Q: What do I need for Xbox Cloud Gaming?

Many mobile phones, tablets, smart TVs, and other devices support streaming Xbox games. However, gamers will need a Game Pass Ultimate subscription to unlock access to Xbox Cloud Gaming features.

Q: What is the best handheld gaming system available?

Opinions will vary, but from a sales perspective, the Nintendo Switch continues to dominate its handheld competition. Despite more powerful portable PCs hitting the market, the Switch is a gaming-focused device that also serves as a living room console when docked. The Switch also supports a large library of popular Nintendo titles going back decades, with most unavailable on other platforms.