Microsoft has announced a partnership with AMD to power the next generation of Xbox, including its first-party future Xbox consoles.
“Announcing that we’re building the next-generation of Xbox first-party devices and cloud, including our future Xbox consoles, together with AMD,” Microsoft said in a statement published online.
Microsoft failed to detail its plans, but did promise “next-level performance, cutting-edge graphics, breakthrough gameplay, and unmatched compatibility.” It also said everything it’s working on will be “fully compatible” with users’ existing Xbox game library.
“We’ve established a strategic, multi-year agreement with AMD to co-engineer silicon across a portfolio of devices, including our next-generation Xbox consoles,” Microsoft said.
“Together, we’re delivering deeper visual quality, immersive gameplay, and AI-powered experiences – grounded in a platform designed for players, not tied to a single store or device, and fully compatible with your existing Xbox game library.”
In a video, Xbox president Sarah Bond said Microsoft was investing in “our next-generation hardware lineup across console, handheld, PC, cloud, and accessories.”
The news confirms Microsoft’s plan to release another home Xbox console as well as an Xbox handheld. No release date was mentioned, but Bond did say “we can’t wait to show you what’s next.”
Earlier this year, Microsoft was reported to be targeting a 2027 release window for both its next-gen Xbox and its Xbox handheld. At the time, it was said that the next-gen Xbox would be more like a PC than any Xbox before it, and would support third-party storefronts such as Steam, the Epic Games Store, and GOG.
Comments from Bond in today’s video back that up. “This is all about building you a gaming platform that’s always with you, so you can play the games you want across devices anywhere you want, delivering you an Xbox experience not locked to a single store or tied to one device,” Bond said.
“That’s why we’re working closely with the Windows team, to ensure that Windows is the number one platform for gaming.”
In the shorter term, Microsoft is partnering with third-parties on Xbox-branded hardware such as the Xbox Ally. This is a handheld gaming PC that runs on a version of Windows 11 designed to be more usable on a handheld. Expect a release later this year.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
