Microsoft to Launch Xbox Handheld in 2027, Console in 2028

The company aims to unify PC and console gaming by releasing a handheld and a custom-silicon Project Helix console by 2028.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Computers

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a geometric silicon processor chip, symbolizing a structural shift in gaming hardware architecture. — Microsoft plans to introduce a custom-silicon Xbox console, Project Helix, and a dedicated handheld gaming device by 2028 to unify platform ecosystems. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Microsoft is preparing to expand its gaming hardware footprint with plans to release a dedicated Xbox handheld in 2027 and a new console, Project Helix, in 2028. These future devices build on the company's current collaboration with ASUS and AMD on Windows-based handhelds.

Why it matters

The move represents a strategic pivot toward hardware diversification, aiming to unify PC and console gaming experiences under the Xbox brand. By developing bespoke silicon for Project Helix, Microsoft is attempting to maintain competitive performance in a shifting console market.

Project Helix is slated to feature a custom chip developed in partnership with AMD, designed to execute both Xbox console and PC software. This architecture follows the foundation established by the existing ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, which utilize AMD processors to run Windows.

The players

Microsoft

A multinational technology corporation that manages the Xbox gaming platform and the Windows operating system.

AMD

A semiconductor company that designs high-performance processors and graphics hardware for gaming consoles and PCs.

ASUS

A consumer electronics manufacturer known for its PC components and the ROG line of gaming hardware.

The details

Project Helix is engineered as a cross-platform console capable of running titles from both the Xbox ecosystem and PC libraries. The device relies on a custom-designed processor, a specialized integrated circuit optimized for specific software workloads, developed jointly with AMD. While the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X models currently run a standard Windows environment on portable hardware, the upcoming Project Helix hardware aims to further integrate these gaming stacks into a singular, dedicated console form factor.

2027: Microsoft plans to ship alpha Project Helix hardware to developers.
2027 holiday season: Planned consumer release for the new Xbox handheld.
2028 holiday season: Planned consumer release for the Project Helix console.

The Tech Race

Microsoft is evolving its hardware strategy from partnering on Windows-based handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally series to building proprietary consoles. This trajectory places the company in direct competition with emerging portable PC gaming platforms while seeking to standardize performance through custom silicon.

Gamers can expect the new handheld device to arrive by the 2027 holiday season, followed by the Project Helix console in 2028. These upcoming devices will require users to wait for official pricing and hardware compatibility details before they can integrate the new systems into their existing setups.

The takeaway

Microsoft is betting on a unified software and hardware future that bridges the gap between PC and console gaming. Watch for the 2027 developer alpha release, which will likely reveal the true performance potential of the custom AMD silicon.