Latest rumors about Microsoft's Xbox handheld: equipped with a custom low-power AMD APU, competing with the Switch?

Microsoft's Xbox handheld is rumored again, and it is reported that it will be equipped with a customized low-power APU in cooperation with AMD, rather than the ARM architecture, in order to improve game compatibility and optimize the experience, the goal is to change the handheld game market. (Synopsis: Microsoft will support BTC, ETH, SUI, Microsoft Fabric to integrate real-time on-chain data for free) (Background supplement: Michael Saylor shouted again that Microsoft is fast to buy bitcoin: the return on U.S. bonds and repurchased shares is too low, and it is hurting shareholders for a long time) In the handheld game market, rumors about Microsoft may launch its own design Xbox handheld continue to attract attention. The latest news broke that unlike the previous speculation about the ARM architecture, Microsoft or will cooperate deeply with AMD to jointly develop a customized low-power APU for an Xbox handheld called "real" by insiders. Customizing AMD APUs into Focus According to well-known tech whistleblower KeplerL2 on the NeoGAF forum, Microsoft is developing a "real" Xbox handheld. It is worth noting that this handheld will reportedly use a custom low-power APU (Accelerated Processing Unit) developed in cooperation with AMD, rather than the ARM architecture referred to in some previous speculations. The core features of this custom APU are its "low power consumption" and "handheld-optimized design", with the goal of providing a superior handheld gaming experience. What does it mean to customize an APU? The main reason Microsoft chose to work with AMD to develop a custom APU may be to significantly improve compatibility with the existing Xbox game library and address potential backward compatibility issues. AMD's x86-based APUs offer significant advantages over the technical challenges that ARM architecture may encounter when running x86-based Xbox games, ensuring broader game support. This choice of technology path helps Microsoft strengthen the attractiveness of its products vis-à-vis key competitors in the handheld market, such as Valve (Steam Deck), Sony and Nintendo. The difference between self-developed and third-party brands It is necessary to remind players that the Xbox handheld independently developed by Microsoft is different from the Xbox brand or Windows handheld launched by third-party OEMs such as Asus on the market. For example, the upcoming Asus ROG Ally successor, ( rumored codename Project Kennan), is expected to carry the existing AMD Ryzen Z series APUs. First images of Microsoft & Asus’ new handheld Xbox console have leaked — codenamed Project Kennan Xbox-branded version based on Asus ROG Ally 2 7” LCD, 120Hz AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (8-core, 36W) Standard white: 4-core, 20WErgonomic redesign included. Source:… pic.twitter.com/RspP28IWMs — EGamersWorld (@EGamersWorld) May 7, 2025 Such third-party handhelds are usually more focused on the general Windows gaming experience, while Microsoft-developed handhelds may be more focused on providing a deeply optimized Xbox Game ecosystem integration and exclusive experience. Multiple sources mentioned the specifications of Asus ROG Ally's next-generation product and highlighted the differences in positioning from Microsoft's own handhelds. RELATED REPORTS XBOX WILL HAVE A BUILT-IN CRYPTO WALLET? Development documents reveal Microsoft's gaming ambitions Hideo Kojima "has not played a game for too long, the protagonist will forget skills", why did a sentence inspire the web3 industry? 〈The latest rumors of Microsoft's Xbox handheld: equipped with a custom low-power AMD APU, fighting with the Switch? This article was first published in BlockTempo's "Dynamic Trend - The Most Influential Blockchain News Media".