If the Xbox portable system possesses the iconic single characteristic of the Nintendo Switch, it might outperform the Switch 2 in its own competitive battle.

Laying Omens: Xbox Enters the Gaming Handheld Fray

Whispers of an Xbox-branded gaming handheld have gained momentum.

Reportedly, Windows Central predicts Microsoft is set to introduce its first console-backed handheld towards the end of this year, marking a significant shift in the gaming landscape.

Despite the swirling rumors, little is known about the intended features of an Xbox handheld. What will it look like? What power will it boast? How much will it cost? Time for some friendly ribbing – will it come in an Xbox green translucent casing?

Despite the enigma, there's one question top of mind for me – what difference will an Xbox handheld make in the face of the Nintendo Switch?

Touching the Gates of Heaven

The biggest question I ponder is: What unique selling points will an Xbox handheld bring to the table that other handhelds can't?

At the heart of the matter, the answer may be scarce. With Xbox's exclusive titles potentially being a significant factor for buying one over, say, an Acer Nitro Blaze, I'm unsure how much Microsoft will bring to the hardware revolution.

Nintendo has already shown the Switch 2, with the company unveiling the release date of June 5, 2025, on April 2, 2025, at a cost of $449. You can catch up on the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement here.

One aspect I'd be thrilled to see,, however, is something the Nintendo Switch has delivered since its debut – a dock. Although it may sound trivial, a dock triggers numerous queries that could sway your decision to purchase (or not purchase) a Switch 2. Let me explain.

Subscribe to receive our free special dispatch, delivered right to your inbox.

The Switch's appeal lies in playing Mario and Zelda, yes, but the Switch's value proposition is also built on its dual capability – playing while holding it or docking it for larger screen enjoyment, similar to a traditional console. Here's where the "switching" of the Switch truly shines. Should Microsoft envision their Xbox handheld in a similar vein, potential customers will be prompted to compare them head-to-head.

As the comparison between a hypothetical connectable Xbox handheld and Switch 2 unfolds, similarities are apparent. Both are handhelds designed by console manufacturers with exclusive titles. Both promise to challenge the hardware arena with enhanced power. Both aim to exploit an array of third-party AAA multi-platform titles.

However, I question if Nintendo can compete on those points. If sheer power is your goal, a Switch 2 may not knock your socks off with benchmark comparisons. Nintendo consoles have never thrived on visual furor. And why should they? Mario doesn't need ray tracing.

When it comes to exclusive titles, it all boils down to personal preference. Perhaps the new Legend of Zelda is your cup of tea, necessitating a handheld that plays Tears of the Kingdom. Equally, you could be an ardent Halo fan looking to dominate grunts during your evening commute to work.

Lastly, when it comes to a pool of multi-platform titles, Microsoft prevails, thanks to the Xbox's graphic edge. This capability allows it to play both indie games and demanding titles with ease.

In the past, distinguishing an Xbox console from a Switch might have been like comparing apples to oranges. However, if both employ similar designs and cater to the same crowd, well… our fruit metaphor is beginning to taste a bit bland.

Unsettling Questions for Xbox

Clearly, these revelations are speculative, given the lack of confirmed details about Microsoft's plans for an Xbox console. However, the thought of a similar Xbox handheld to the Switch stirs numerous existential questions.

For example, if Microsoft adopts a Switch-inspired style with a handheld/TV console, one has to wonder – why would anyone purchase anything else?

If Microsoft could pack the power of an Xbox Series S into a portable device, it may challenge the value of a conventional console setup. However, is Microsoft truly prepared to jeopardize its at-home console business by venturing down this route, or is the concern of alienating their established market too significant? Lastly, what role will Microsoft play with Game Pass in their handheld? Will the Xbox handheld offer cloud streaming capabilities, or will it aim to be closer to a Steam Deck?

Microsoft appears to be making some substantial decisions regarding the future of their console market, with the handheld's status hanging in the balance – a handheld or a console with a twist.

Personally, I welcome the shakeup that a switch (pun intended) to an Xbox handheld could bring. I've always admired Nintendo for hitting the mark with form factors, and experiencing the same advantages in an Xbox package feels like a promising step towards evolving Microsoft's console business into a fresh, more feature-packed era.

Bring on the boundary-pushing innovation! I'll be among the first in line if Microsoft can craft an Xbox handheld that channels the essence of the Switch.

I've got notes on Samsung's foldable gaming handheld concept
My Steam Deck 2 dreams are dashed now, let me shatter yours too
I want my Lenovo Legion Go to feel like an Xbox": Phil Spencer on how Xbox can elevate handheld gaming

[Enrichment Note]If a hypothetical Xbox handheld included a dockable design, it would offer several potential features and advantages that could differentiate it from other handhelds:

Windows Compatibility: The handheld could run Windows OS, providing access to a vast range of PC games and applications directly on the device.
Docking Capabilities: Docking would enable connection to larger screens, such as TVs, enhancing gameplay with better displays and potential increased performance when docked.
Controller Feel: Enhanced controller features, like impulse triggers, rumble feedback, and haptics, could deliver a more immersive gaming experience compared to other handhelds.
Display and Performance: Higher refresh rates (e.g., 120Hz) and variable refresh rate (VRR) technology might offer smoother gameplay and surpass other handhelds' capabilities.
Versatility: By offering an extensive library of games beyond exclusives, an Xbox handheld could rival the Nintendo Switch's versatility.
Power and Performance: Powerful AMD hardware could potentially best the Switch in terms of processing power and graphics rendering.
Cloud Gaming: Integration with cloud gaming could provide access to a broader library of games not available natively.
Docking Flexibility: Microsoft's Xbox hardware integration could enhance the docked gaming experience compared to the Switch's TV mode.
Xbox Services: Integration with Xbox Live, Game Pass, and cloud saves could offer a comprehensive gaming experience across multiple devices, which is more extensive than the Switch's online service.
The mystery surrounding the Xbox handheld's potential features prompts questions about its display, performance, storage capacity, and RAM, key gadget specs that could shape its market appeal.
If the Xbox handheld has a dockable design, it could run Windows OS, offering access to a vast range of PC games on the device, making it a contender against other leading handhelds.
A dockable Xbox handheld could leverage powerful AMD hardware, potentially surpassing the Nintendo Switch in terms of processing power and graphics rendering.
Enhanced controller features, like impulse triggers, rumble feedback, and haptics, could deliver a more immersive gaming experience on an Xbox handheld, distinguishing it from competitors.
Microsoft may integrate its Xbox Live, Game Pass, and cloud saves services, presenting a more extensive gaming experience across multiple devices than the Switch's online offering.
Should the Xbox handheld adopt a Switch-inspired style, gamers might compare it head-to-head with the Switch 2, focusing on unique selling points such as power, exclusive titles, and the versatility of running Windows applications.
The gaming landscape may witness a significant shift if Microsoft compromises its at-home console business by venturing into a fully portable device, as potential customers would reconsider their preference between traditional consoles and handhelds.
Insights suggest that Microsoft's decision on the Xbox handheld's hardware could influence the future of mobile gaming, sparking a wave of innovation and competition among games, gadgets, and technology giants.

If the Xbox portable system possesses the iconic single characteristic of the Nintendo Switch, it might outperform the Switch 2 in its own competitive battle.