Insider Shares New Details About Rumored Xbox Handheld Console

gamerant.com:

During a podcast, insider Jez Corden ignited further interest in the rumored Xbox handheld console by sharing some key details. The new information suggests that Xbox may be working on something that is closer to the Nintendo Switch than the PlayStation Portal.

Back in February, Corden had given a nod to the rumors of an Xbox handheld device on Twitter. Replying to a tweet speculating if Xbox was working on a handheld console, he had given a brief response, “They are.” This basically confirmed that the rumors about Xbox considering its prospects in the handheld market – a segment it hasn’t entered before in the brand’s long history – are stronger than they may seem.

In an episode of the Xbox Two podcast, Jez Corden revealed new information about Xbox’s rumored handheld console. He shared these details when talking about a new Xbox devkit that had been registered in South Korea. According to him, the company is already in possession of prototypes of an Xbox handheld. Moreover, he highlighted that these were the “new prototypes” and not the old ones that were part of the previous rumors. It’s worth noting that he also acknowledged that prototypes being tested didn’t necessarily mean something would definitely make its way onto the market.

Importantly, Corden emphasized the recent boom in the handheld gaming console segment to support his claim of Xbox’s interest in this area. He said, “Purely on the basis of hard analysis, I think they are absolutely pursuing a handheld.” The insider also clarified that the Xbox handheld prototypes in discussion could run the games natively, unlike its rival PlayStation’s recently released handheld device – PlayStation Portal – which is only meant for PS5 game streaming.

While Nintendo Switch carried the responsibility of keeping handhelds relevant in the previous console generation, this generation has seen handhelds make a strong impact, thanks to the success of Valve's Steam Deck. As a consequence, big industry players have also