Xbox CEO Hints at a New Handheld Device in Project Helix’s Next-Gen Family

Xbox’s next generation may extend well beyond a traditional console, with CEO Asha Sharma strongly hinting that portable hardware will be part of the company’s Project Helix plans.

Speaking during a recent internal Xbox town hall, Sharma described Microsoft’s next generation as a “family of devices” rather than one fixed piece of hardware.

“We are moving to a family of devices for Gen-10,” Sharma said. “There is not one device that fits all. We will certainly have a great console first, but we also know that many players will be on the go.”

That last part about many players being on the go carries major implications for the future of Microsoft’s gaming devices.

Sharma never outright says Xbox is building a new handheld, but talking about players being “on the go” immediately after discussing multiple next-generation devices is about as unsubtle a hint as we’re likely to get before an official reveal. She also said Microsoft will manufacture some hardware itself while partnering with other companies for other devices.

It wouldn’t exactly be unfamiliar territory. Microsoft already worked with ASUS on the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, which helped introduce the controller-focused Xbox interface that Microsoft has since been expanding across Windows.

While we can’t begin guessing the specs and compatibility for such a device, it’s most likely that it will be integrated into the PC and console ecosystem that Xbox is building up. Which most likely means it will be able to run current and next-gen titles across all three Xbox platforms; PC, console and handheld.

Besides the potential handheld device, Project Helix seems to carry a lot more weight for Microsoft.

Microsoft officially unveiled Helix at GDC 2026 as its next-generation Xbox platform. The flagship console is being built around a custom AMD system-on-chip and is designed to play both Xbox console games and PC titles. Xbox also says it is targeting a major leap in ray-tracing performance while maintaining compatibility with games from four previous Xbox generations.

Microsoft plans to begin sending alpha hardware to developers in 2027.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Sharma has used the “family” language. During an August interview with BBC News, she said Xbox was working on “a great next generation and a great family of devices for Helix,” while stressing that the next Xbox should give players more choice in how and where they play.

Project Helix still has a traditional console at its center, but Microsoft increasingly sounds like it wants the next Xbox generation to be an ecosystem of hardware rather than a single box under your TV.

Xbox Games have been going under a period of upheaval following mass layoffs. Despite claims that they’re back on track for growth, this next-generation of consoles will have to prove a lot to earn back goodwill.