Microsoft is reportedly targeting holiday 2027 for its next-generation Xbox handheld, followed by the Project Helix console in holiday 2028, according to a new report.
New details about Microsoft’s future gaming hardware have emerged, suggesting that Xbox is preparing two major releases over the next two years.
According to a Fortune report, sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans claim that the company has established tentative launch windows for its upcoming handheld and next-generation console.
Xbox Handheld and Project Helix Release Windows
The reported hardware roadmap includes:
- Next-gen Xbox handheld: Holiday 2027
- Project Helix console: Holiday 2028
- Projected Project Helix price: $1,200–$1,800
The handheld would reportedly arrive approximately one year before Microsoft’s next-generation home console.
However, these dates remain internal targets rather than officially confirmed release windows.
Xbox Handheld Development Faced Internal Disagreements
The report also reveals alleged disagreements between Microsoft’s Windows and Xbox teams over the handheld’s operating system.
One side reportedly favored a streamlined version of Windows Home, while the other pushed for software specifically optimized for gaming performance.
The dispute allegedly became serious enough that a senior Xbox executive threatened to cancel the handheld project entirely.
According to the report, the Xbox division ultimately gained control over the operating system, allowing development to move forward.
Project Helix Could Be Microsoft’s Most Expensive Console
Fortune also claims that internal pricing projections for Project Helix currently range between $1,200 and $1,800.
Rising memory and storage costs are reportedly contributing to the unusually high estimates.
Microsoft could potentially reduce the retail price by subsidizing the hardware, although no final pricing decision has been announced.
Neither the reported launch windows nor the projected pricing has been officially confirmed by Microsoft.
If the timeline holds, 2027 could mark Xbox’s entry into the first-party handheld market, followed by a new generation of console hardware in 2028.
