Microsoft is working on an Xbox handheld, but it’s still a few years out

This year we’ve seen reports that Microsoft is working on an Xbox handheld device, and even Phil Spencer has spoken about his love for the form factor, but according to the Xbox boss, we shouldn’t expect to see a dedicated machine yet, as Xbox handhelds are still a few years away.

Microsoft is working on an Xbox handheld

In a recent interview with Bloomberg, Phil Spencer confirmed that Microsoft is working on a handheld Xbox device, although it’s still in the prototyping phase. Spencer said that he is aware that the “expectation is that we would do something,” but the launch of a dedicated handheld is still a few years away.

In the meantime, Spencer says that Xbox’s engineers will be working to improve the official Xbox app on other hardware, as well as partner with more third-party hardware companies to sync the Xbox experience with their devices. “Longer term, I love us building devices,” Spencer said. “And I think our team could do some real innovative work, but we want to be informed by learning and what’s happening now.”

Interestingly, a report from Windows Central earlier this year suggested that an Xbox handheld was in development alongside the next generation of consoles — which Xbox president Sarah Bond says will offer “the largest technical leap you will have ever seen in a hardware generation.” It’s likely that we’ll see an official Xbox handheld roll out alongside the next console generation.

In the same interview with Bloomberg, Spencer also said there are “no red lines” when it comes to launching Xbox exclusives on PlayStation.