Xbox Next-Gen: ARM and Snapdragon Tech on the Horizon
The rumor mill is turning, and this time it's about what will power the next generation of Xbox hardware. A small tidbit, uncovered from a recent Qualcomm job posting, has tongues a-wagging. Microsoft looking to ARM and Snapdragon tech for its future gaming hardware.
A Tantalizing Hint from a Job Ad
It started with a recruitment notice for a sales director for Qualcomm. The notice that went up on the net a couple of days ago beckoned a tempting task: helping "sell-in activities for next-generation Surface and Xbox products based on Snapdragon solutions." Oh, a delicious bite, that. It more or less suggests that at least some of Microsoft's upcoming Xbox devices could be built on the ARM/Snapdragon platform.
Why on earth would Microsoft do this. One of the big selling points of ARM-based processors like Snapdragon is that they're power efficient. That could be huge if we're considering portable gaming. A lot of people view this as a fairly obvious hint towards the much-speculated-about Xbox handheld console.
The Handheld Dream and Compatibility Questions
An Xbox portable has been speculated upon for years, with even Xbox head Phil Spencer dropping clues on multiple occasions. A power-efficient Snapdragon processor would be the perfect option for a portable designed for gaming on the go. However, sacrificing the x86 architecture (employed in the Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S) would come with some inconvenience. Compatibility with today's library of Xbox games, authored for x86, would prove to be an enormous hindrance to navigate.
Microsoft's Broader Next-Gen Vision
Although Microsoft has not released its full next-gen strategy yet, all signs are the firm is considering a multi-pronged strategy. In addition to a one-purpose handheld, rumors suggest a next Xbox Series X follow-up. Another handheld, codenamed Project Kennan, which may be more like a Steam Deck in design, is said to be Windows-based and potentially release this year under partnership with ASUS.
The Handheld Market Heats Up
No wonder the handheld gaming market is taking off, especially with the phenomenal success of Nintendo Switch and the supposed coming release of its successor. Of course, it would be wise for both Sony and Microsoft to attempt to tap into some of that action. There's even talk of a handheld PlayStation 6 device, which, while not as powerful as the PS5, would be able to play PS5 games natively. Portable gaming's future might be quite different in just a few years.
For now, these are enticing crumbs, but it looks like the future of Xbox will be more portable and diverse than ever. What do you think of an ARM-based Xbox.
