Insider Teases Possible Microsoft Gaming Handheld Reveal for 2025: Here’s the Scoop

Microsoft seems to have a few surprises up its sleeve, but fans hoping for the long-speculated Xbox handheld might have to play the waiting game for a bit longer. The chatter about this handheld console has been bubbling away ever since Phil Spencer, Microsoft’s Gaming CEO, dropped a teaser earlier this year.

Word on this comes courtesy of the Xbox Two podcast on YouTube. During a discussion, journalist Jez Corden pointed to the possibility of seeing a fresh piece of Xbox hardware make its debut next year. Although there was a buzz about whether this hardware might show up at this year’s Game Awards in December 2024, Corden set the record straight. He clearly stated no new hardware announcements are planned for that event.

In his words, “I don’t think you’re gonna see hardware at The Game Awards, but, I do think next year is a good year for revealing new hardware. Especially hardware you could hold in the palm of your hand.” Corden went on to say that we might see some exciting announcements at next year’s June showcase. As it stands, these tidbits are all speculative, with Xbox staying tight-lipped and no official word yet.

Now, shifting gears to another development in the Microsoft ecosystem—there’s been a significant update to the Prism emulator as part of the preview build 27744. This latest tweak allows enthusiasts to run an expanded range of 64-bit x86 (x64) games and software. The update also brings compatibility upgrades, integrating support for features like AVX, AVX2, BMI, FMA, F16C, and more. Excitingly, games such as Helldivers 2 and Starfield, which harness AVX2 power, are now in the realm of possibility. To dig into the technical details, the full scoop is available on the official website via the Insider preview build 27744.

If you’re keen for more Microsoft news, check out how CEO Satya Nadella secured a hefty $30 million pay bump, even amidst a year marked by substantial layoffs in the gaming sector.