Xbox games on TV, handheld, PC, and mobile through cloud gaming

Xbox Confirms New Consoles and Handheld in AMD Partnership Reveal

Xbox has officially confirmed it’s working on new hardware, including multiple next-generation consoles and what appears to be a handheld device. In a short but significant video, delivered by Xbox President Sarah Bond, the company announced a multi-year partnership with AMD to co-engineer custom chips that will power the future of the Xbox platform. The announcement also hinted at AI-powered features, deeper Windows integration, and a strategy that puts flexibility and access first.

This wasn’t a flashy product reveal. It was a clear statement of intent, delivered by one of the most senior voices at Xbox.

Xbox’s Vision – Play Anywhere, On Anything

The video opens with a familiar goal: “play the games you want, with the people you want, anywhere you want.” Xbox has been using that line for years, but this time it’s backed by serious hardware investment. The platform is expanding across home consoles, handhelds, PCs, and the cloud, making Xbox available on whatever screen you’re using.

This is no longer just a marketing slogan. It’s a multi-device strategy that’s becoming real.

Multiple Consoles and a Handheld, Powered by AMD

One of the key moments in the video is the announcement of a new AMD partnership. Xbox and AMD are co-developing custom silicon for “next-generation Xbox consoles, in your living room, and in your hands.”

The use of “consoles” in plural form suggests Xbox is planning more than one device for the living room. That could mean a high-end console and a smaller or digital-only option. But the second half of that line—“in your hands”—clearly points to a handheld. The wording implies physical hardware, not just mobile access to cloud gaming.

AMD already powers the Steam Deck and other gaming handhelds, which makes them a natural choice for Xbox to partner with here.

The ROG Xbox Ally: A Test Run for Xbox Handhelds?

Just days before this video, Xbox launched the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, created in collaboration with ASUS. These are Windows-based handhelds that boot directly into the Xbox app, feature Xbox-specific controls, and include full Game Pass support. The ROG Ally X model even uses a new Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip and is set to launch in time for the 2025 holidays.

This approach allows Xbox to support handheld gaming without making its own device—at least for now. But the video’s reference to hardware “in your hands” strongly hints that a first-party handheld is also in development. The Ally could be a bridge to something fully Xbox-made, rather than the final destination.

Visuals, AI, and Compatibility

Xbox says it is advancing graphics and immersion through custom silicon and AI. These features are expected to enhance visual fidelity, world design, and player interaction. Microsoft’s broader push into artificial intelligence is already influencing tools like Inworld AI, and it’s likely to shape how next-gen games behave and respond.

At the same time, Xbox made it clear that compatibility is a priority. Your existing library will continue to work, regardless of what device you’re using next.

Xbox Isn’t Just a Console Anymore

The platform message was unmissable. Xbox is “not locked to a single store or tied to one device,” and that’s exactly how they want it. Whether you’re on console, PC, handheld, or cloud, Xbox aims to meet you where you are.

This aligns with Microsoft’s long-term vision of platform over hardware. Instead of pushing everyone toward one box, they’re encouraging players to stay in the Xbox ecosystem however they choose to access it.

Windows Is Becoming a Bigger Part of Xbox’s Future

Toward the end of the video, Xbox mentions working closely with the Windows team to make Windows “the number one platform for gaming.” This could lead to better Game Pass integration, a shared store across Xbox and PC, and streamlined support for portable Windows-based gaming devices.

It also makes a lot of sense if Xbox’s future handheld runs a customized version of Windows designed specifically for gaming.

The Next Generation Has Already Started

The closing message from Sarah Bond—“the next generation of Xbox is coming to life, and this is just the beginning”—makes it clear that Xbox is no longer just planning. The hardware is underway. The platform is evolving. And the next wave of Xbox experiences will span more devices than ever before.

This wasn’t a showcase. It was a shift in tone, pointing toward a broader ecosystem that includes new consoles, a potential first-party handheld, AI-driven experiences, and a more unified Windows strategy.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *