Xbox handheld wishlist

The Nintendo Switch started a trend that few could have predicted at the time of its release, sparking a market for hybrid and powerful portable gaming devices. This prospect may have attracted people like Xbox xas rumors continue to swirl about Microsoft's plans for a portable gaming console.

It should be noted that at the time of writing, no official information about such a device from Xbox has been released. However, it does not seem unpleasant, because Xbox refraining from entering the portable market could be unnecessarily bearish; if the company wants to stay competitive in terms of gaming hardware, a handheld seems like a pretty strong move, especially as companies like Valve and Sony continue with Steam Deck and PlayStation Portal, with yet another portable console from Sony that would be just as well. But with this increased competition comes increased expectations, which Xbox will have to strive to meet in order to keep up.

Why it would need an Xbox handheld to succeed

Access to Xbox Digital Library (and physical version).

If Xbox plans to include a handheld alongside its home console line, or even in place of it, then perhaps the most logical expectation would be for it to grant access to every gamer's entire digital library. For better or for worse, a significant majority of game sales are digital, and many Xbox owners have amassed extensive virtual libraries of titles over the years. They should be playable on this portable device in theory without limitations or compromises.

This is a basic requirement, but Xbox could take it a step further by giving players access to their physical games as well. It's pretty unlikely that such a portable device would have a disc drive, but perhaps some kind of verification system could be implemented, allowing players to get a digital download for games they can prove they own in present a physical copy. Despite almost ubiquitous efforts by companies to embrace a fully digital ecosystem, many gamers have shied away from digital-only ownership, and Xbox's emphasis on backwards compatibility synergized nicely with this physical philosophy. It would be wise not to leave this demographic out in the cold come a handheld console.

Long battery life

The Switch and Steam Deck, for all their strengths, don't have the best battery life:

• Nintendo Switch OLED: 4.5 to 9 hours
• Steam Deck OLED: 3 to 12 hours

That's not to mention other handhelds like the Asus ROG Ally, which has been reported to last only 2 hours with graphics-intensive games.

The respective high-end ranges of battery life on each of these devices are respectable, but they only apply when you're playing the least graphically intensive games; for AAA titles ca Tears of the Kingdombattery life expectancy is much lower. The next generation of both the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch will likely improve battery life, but the Xbox may stand out by surpassing them in this area.

Since a big part of the appeal of these handhelds is their portability, providing a home console or PC-adjacent experience while traveling or commuting, battery longevity will always be an appealing feature. Of course, most gamers don't play for 9 or 12 hours straight on these devices, but the convenience of not having to worry about charging for long periods of time could be a massive plus for trying Xbox in the portable space. Even if it means sacrificing a compact form factor, the Xbox handheld that offers exceptional battery life could be just what is needed to give it an edge over the competition.

An OLED display, at least

When the first Switch was released in 2017, not much attention was paid to the quality of its display – the concept of the device itself seemed quite new and interesting. Of course, that's no longer the case as handhelds from Nintendo, Valve and Asus boast OLED screens, making it the industry norm. The Lenovo Legion Go, while lacking a built-in OLED, is also regularly praised for both its image quality and its larger-than-average screen, which enhances the portable experience for many users.

As these companies continue to improve their handhelds with powerful displays, the Xbox certainly can't afford to hold back. An OLED screen would be a good start, but additional features like HDR and a high refresh rate would go a long way in helping it stand out in an increasingly competitive market. In a way, a good display is even more important in the portable space because, unlike console or PC gaming, the display can't easily be upgraded to a better one. As such, the Xbox should rise to the occasion here, meeting or ideally exceeding the standards set by its competition.

An integrated dock and peripheral compatibility

The Switch has become famous for its hybrid nature, and while there are docks compatible with the Steam Deck and other portable devices, companies have generally leaned more towards the portable side of these devices. Furthermore, these non-Nintendo handhelds lack dedicated peripherals such as controllers, which is obviously not the case with the Xbox. In light of this, it would seem like an obvious choice for Microsoft to embrace docked play and compatibility with already existing Xbox hardware, enticing gamers to welcome the device into their established tech ecosystem.

In all likelihood, there will be more rumors and speculation about the Xbox handheld before any official confirmation arrives, if ever – it's still unclear if Xbox actually plans to bring such a device to market. But if it's really in the works, the company could very well have an uphill battle ahead: Its hardware sales have lagged behind the competition this generation already, and if Sony, with a larger install base, works and to a portable console, then Xbox will have to bring out the big guns.