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The internet is buzzing with rumors of a Microsoft Xbox handheld, which, if comes to fruition, will be the company’s first-ever handheld gaming console, competing against PS Portal, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and other similar devices. Considering the abilities of the tech giant, the upcoming Xbox handheld could have the potential to offer a better gaming experience.
Microsoft’s rumored machine will need to offer great capabilities to push new consumers to get the device, as the current Xbox users look happy where they are, be it Xbox One or the latest Xbox Series X/S.
While there are no official confirmations about what Microsoft is planning to do with the Xbox handheld, gaming enthusiasts have started speculating about the functionalities of the non-released device.
In this article, we will explore what we can expect from the upcoming gaming handheld.
Potential approach Xbox should have for the rumored handheld
It is not clear whether the Xbox handheld will rely on streaming or it will be a dedicated handheld with its own processing power. However, most people are looking forward to getting more than just a cloud gaming platform.
As we already have handheld devices like Logitech G Cloud and Razer Edge that support Xbox Cloud gaming, it will make more sense to focus on offering powerful hardware that can run games locally. Furthermore, we can’t ignore the hundreds of titles of Game Pass.
However, there are many other things to take care of. Devices such as the ROG Ally provide an authentic gaming encounter within the Windows ecosystem, which comes out as a tradeoff, as the OS isn't specifically designed for touch and small screens. Using a thumbstick to move the cursor or tapping on the screen to select an option doesn’t feel very pleasurable.
Microsoft still dominates the software industry, if not the console market. They can make changes to their OS to give a more handheld-friendly interface.
The other thing Microsoft can do is offer a true mobile Xbox experience, that would run exactly like the Xbox console but on a portable device. A custom operating system designed specifically for gaming. This OS is optimized for the hardware and provides features like fast loading times and seamless online experiences.
Currently, there isn't a single handheld device that ticks all three boxes perfectly: Native, Remote, and Cloud Play. It will be a game changer if the rumored Xbox handheld could excel at all three.
Will the Xbox handheld outshine the PS Portal as a superior gaming gadget?
PlayStation Portal has been in huge demand since its launch. While it's not a traditional handheld console with its own library of games; you can play PS5 games remotely through the internet. However, it is best suited for use within your home network.
If the rumors around the Xbox handheld hold true, it might offer better performance than the PS portal. It might run games directly on the device, potentially leading to smoother performance.
However, predicting the superior handheld device between both is tricky, as the details about the Microsoft handheld gaming device are still under wraps.
