Reports indicate that Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox console may not hit the market until 2027. However, the company is already hinting at features like backward compatibility and potential handheld gaming devices through a new partnership with AMD.
Last February, Microsoft announced that it was developing a successor to the Xbox Series X and S, reassuring fans that it remains committed to the console market despite a shift towards multi-platform releases. Xbox president Sarah Bond emphasized that the company is “invested in [its] next-generation road map” and aims to deliver the most significant technological advancements seen in a hardware generation.
Today, Microsoft revealed its “strategic, multi-year agreement” with AMD through a brief video. In her address, Bond stated that Microsoft is “investing in [its] next-generation hardware line-up across console, handheld, PC, cloud, and accessories” and collaborating with AMD to “co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices including our next-generation Xbox consoles in your living room and in your hands.”
This announcement raises intriguing questions, particularly regarding Bond’s mention of multiple next-generation “consoles”. The distinction between a device meant for the living room and one intended to be handheld may suggest a dual-release strategy similar to that of the Series X and S. Additionally, there appears to be a nod toward the potential introduction of an Xbox-branded handheld. Speculation about whether this handheld will be a new device or an adaptation of AMD’s recently announced Xbox Ally continues, especially as Windows Central reported that Microsoft’s internal handheld project has been “sidelined” in favor of broader third-party collaborations, with The Verge asserting the project is “essentially cancelled.”
Bond also reiterated that the partnership with AMD will foster “the next generation of graphics innovation,” enhancing visual quality and elevating gameplay experiences with AI capabilities, all while maintaining compatibility with existing Xbox game libraries.
“This is all about building a gaming platform that’s always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device,” Bond concluded. “The next generation of Xbox is coming to life and this is just the beginning. We can’t wait to show you what’s next.”