Microsoft appears to be ramping up its mobile gaming efforts, revealing plans to launch an Xbox mobile game store in July.
While we already know that an Xbox mobile game store has been in the works for quite some time, this new July release timeline comes from a recent interview with Xbox president Sarah Bond at the Bloomberg Technology Summit.
Bond went on to express a desire to bring Microsoft’s “own first-party portfolio” to the store, including “games like Candy Crush” and “games like Minecraft” in addition to third-party titles from partners.
It seems clear that the Xbox mobile game store will be part of the wider Xbox ecosystem, as Bond described it as “a true cross-platform gaming centric mobile experience.” Presumably, this means some form of integration with existing Xbox game libraries and compatibility with popular features like Microsoft Rewards and Xbox achievements.
Interestingly, the store will first be made available as a web application rather than a traditional app. “We’re going to start on the web,” Bond explained. “We’re doing that because that really allows us to have it be an experience that’s accessible across all devices, all countries, no matter what and independent of the policies of closed ecosystem stores.”
This sounds quite similar to the existing Xbox Cloud Gaming service, which can be accessed through mobile phone web browsers. Although the intention is clearly to compete with the Android Google Play Store and iOS App Store, it’s difficult to imagine the Xbox mobile game store finding much success without a dedicated presence on the home screen.
Still, with recent European Union (EU) regulation prompting Apple to allow third-party iOS app stores for the first time in the region it seems very plausible that we will see one released down the line. Perhaps the allure of big properties like Candy Crush and Minecraft will prove enough to persuade a number of fans to make the jump in the meantime.
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The Samsung HW-Q990D follows in the footsteps of one of the best soundbars in recent years, the Samsung HW-Q990C, but adds gaming features including 4K 120Hz and VRR pass-through, along with a more refined and controlled sound profile.
Filled to the brim with features, the Q990D offers plenty of settings for those who like to experiment. AI enhancements including Adaptive Sound and SpaceFit allow the Q990D to analyze sources and the viewing environment to create the best possible experience. Alongside these, the new gaming features enable users to get the most from their PS5 or Xbox Series X. And for those with a Samsung TV, there’s also Q-Symphony and a wireless Dolby Atmos option.
Carrying 22 speakers across four units, with an 11.1.4 channel configuration, the Q990D confirms Samsung’s continued domination of the soundbar market, especially when it comes to immersive Dolby Atmos sound. But, it’s not just immersive sound where it succeeds, as bass levels are punchy yet refined and trebles and mids can breathe easy over the bass. The Q990D also serves as an excellent music streaming option whether over Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, with its wide soundstage giving every aspect of a song the space it needs.
Although on the bulkier side, the Q990D feels every bit its premium price thanks to its solid build quality, and it has a sleek, modern look. The main soundbar’s size may be an issue for some and its front LED display is not the most user-friendly, but for many, it will beat the mess of cables you get with a wired home theater setup.
With a variety of control options including a supplied remote and the Samsung SmartThings app, the Q990D is easy to use and tailor settings to how you like. Initial setup is a breeze, making it simple to get great sound.
The Q990D may be a premium soundbar, and there are cheaper options such as last year’s Samsung Q990C and this year’s Samsung HW-Q930D, but neither of those carries the full range of features or the performance found in the Q990D. Although pricey, it delivers the best Dolby Atmos soundbar experience you can get today.
The Samsung HW-Q990D comprises a soundbar, subwoofer and two surrounds, with 11.1.4 channels across 22 speakers. (Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q990D review: Price & release date
Release date – March 2024
Price – $1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995
The Samsung HW-Q990D is Samsung’s flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar for 2024. Released at $1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995, the Q990D is a premium soundbar package.
For context, that’s roughly $400 more than the JBL Bar 1300X, an older soundbar that includes wireless rear speakers and a powerful subwoofer, but is roughly $500 more than the most widely available Sonos home theater package, which features the Sonos Arc, Sonos Sub (Gen 3) and a pair of Sonos Era 100s as rears.
Samsung HW-Q990D review: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Dimensions (W x H x D)
Soundbar: 1309.0 x 595.0 x 277.0 mm (51.3 x 23.4 x 10.9 in), Subwoofer: 220.0 x 413.0 x 410.0 mm (8.6 x 16.2 x 16.1 in), Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4 mm (5 x 7.9 x 5.5 in)
Speaker channels
11.1.4
Connections:
1x HDMI out (with eARC), 2x HDMI 2.1 in, optical digital audio, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Yes/Yes
Sub included
Yes
Rear speakers included
Yes
Features
Q Symphony, SpaceFit Sound Pro, Adaptive Sound, Game Mode Pro, Tap Sound, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, HDMI 2.1 120Hz pass-through, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision pass-through, wireless Dolby Atmos
The Samsung HW-Q990D (connected to the Samsung S95D TV) now has gaming features including 120Hz and VRR. (Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q990D review: Features
11.1.4 speaker channels
HDMI 2.1 with 4K 120Hz support
Wireless Dolby Atmos
The Samsung Q990D has many of the same features as its impressive predecessor, the Samsung HW-Q990C, including 11.1.4 speaker channels and 22 speakers spread across the four units (soundbar, subwoofer and two rear speakers).
One new feature is HDMI 2.1 ports for gaming, with both HDMI inputs supporting 4K120Hz and VRR. Both HDMI ports also pass through HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR formats.
Supported sound formats include Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Dolby 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD.
The Q990D is stacked with sound-enhancing features including Adaptive Sound, which analyzes what you’re watching and intelligently adjusts audio levels; SpaceFit Sound Pro, which analyzes your environment and tunes the Q990D’s audio output for the space; and Game Mode Pro, which tailors directional sound to optimal levels when gaming.
Wi-Fi streaming on the Q990D supports hi-res audio formats including ALAC, FLAC and WAV and also Dolby Atmos music tracks found on streaming services such as Apple Music and Tidal. Speaking of streaming, there is also Spotify and Tidal Connect support.
There are some Samsung-exclusive enhancements alongside these features (meaning they only work with compatible Samsung TVs). The first is Q-Symphony, where the Q990D works with the speakers of a Samsung TV to boost sound even further. The next is wireless Dolby Atmos, where a Samsung TV can stream Dolby Atmos soundtracks – albeit a compressed version – to the Q990D.
Last is Tap Sound, where you tap your Samsung smartphone on the Q990D and it starts playing the music you’re streaming.
Control options include a hardware remote control and the Samsung SmartThings app. With the app, you can make EQ adjustments, activate voice and bass enhancement, and select Night Mode, which adjusts the sound to a suitable level for late-night viewing or listening. The app also isn’t just for the Q990D, but can control any compatible Samsung product.
The Samsung HW-Q990D main soundbar (Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q990D review: Performance
Exceptional immersive sound
Powerful, yet detailed audio
Impressive gaming performance
For years, Samsung’s flagship soundbars have continually impressed, serving as a pinnacle of what a soundbar-based home theater audio system is capable of, and the Q990D continues this trend.
With 22 speakers across the four units, including four height channels, in an 11.1.4 channel configuration, the Q990D creates an outstanding immersive experience, with expert reproduction of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X soundtracks and real surround sound.
Watching Star Wars: A New Hope on Disney Plus, the final attack and ensuing space battle involving the Death Star was every bit as cinematic as it should be. As X-Wings and Tie Fighters shot across the screen from every angle, the direction of the soaring engines glided across the speakers impeccably and John Williams’ iconic score in the rear speakers kept the tension high without drowning out other effects. Dialogue was crisp and clear, cutting through the densely packed mix of engines, lasers and music. Watching this, I truly felt like I was in the cockpit, as the iconic screech of the Tie Fighter passed over my head.
Although immersive sound is where the Q990D succeeded the most, bass levels from the weighty subwoofer also impressed. The rumble of the Batmobile’s engine in The Batman during the Penguin car chase sounded meaty with plenty of low-end punch. On previous Q990 generations, the bass could get carried away on occasion, but the Q990D’s bass feels more nuanced and controlled – dynamic but without overwhelming the rest of the mix.
Even when watching movies with a stereo soundtrack such as The Amazing Spider-Man on DVD, the Q990D boosted the sound through upmixing and gave more oomph to every fight sequence and web swing through NYC.
Other parts of the audio mix are well-balanced on the Q990D. High notes come across without being too shrill whilst mids sit comfortably where they should in the mix, with everything combining to create a full, detailed sound.
Although it’s not as impressive with music as with movies, the Q990D is still a triumph. When I streamed tracks from Tidal and Spotify in uncompressed hi-res and compressed formats respectively, the Q990D did a good job of balancing instruments and handled every genre well. Listening to Tears for Fears’ Everybody Wants To Rule The World, the bass and drums sounded punchy, and the trebles of the synths and guitars sliced through evenly.
Listening to Dolby Atmos music tracks via Tidal, the Q990D again showed its prowess. Thelonius Monk’s Monk’s Dream (Take 8) spread out across the Q990D’s speakers, with every instrument given equal room to breathe – from the twinkling piano to the bright sax and the warm bass notes.
Sometimes the mix would sound forced on these Dolby Atmos tracks, with some instruments pushing a little too hard. But the Q990D generally continued to shine and even tracks streamed over lower quality Bluetooth sounded good.
The Q990D was connected to a Samsung S95D TV during my testing, with Samsung-centric features such as Q Symphony available. And while this did provide an extra layer to the sound, adding a greater sense of space and power, the Q990D gave a great cinematic experience without it.
As for gaming performance, when playing Battlefield V with an Xbox Series X, gaming was smooth, as switching between targets felt easy and the action suitably pacy.
The most surprising element of the Q990D’s gaming performance was the low 9.2ms input lag time, meaning its HDMI pass-through didn’t add any latency. For those needing 4K 120Hz, VRR and low input lag for their console, the Q990D can provide.
The Samsung HW-Q990D’s front display isn’t the easiest to read… (Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q990D review: Design
Solid, premium design
Front display isn’t easiest to read
Slightly wider than a 55-inch TV
The Q990D comprises four units: a soundbar, subwoofer and two rear speakers. The subwoofer is sizable and hefty, but its wireless connection allows it to be placed anywhere in the room (as long as there’s a mains socket nearby to plug in for power). The rear speakers, meanwhile, have a compact yet sleek design.
The soundbar itself measures 1309.0 x 595.0 x 277.0 mm, making it slightly longer than a 55-inch TV (which roughly measures 1200mm). At 595mm, it isn’t the tallest soundbar, but could still cut off the bottom of a lot of TVs. The soundbar is also weighty, although that demonstrates its premium quality.
The soundbar and rear speakers sport a gray/navy matte finish that gives them a minimalist, modern appearance. A mesh grille on the soundbar’s front makes it quite difficult to see what input you’re using and other information provided on the front panel LED display, however.
The Samsung HW-Q990D can be controlled with the above supplied remote, the Samsung SmartThings app or your TV remote via HDMI-CEC. (Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q990D review: Setup & usability
HDMI eARC connection to TV
Wireless connection between units
Remote or SmartThings app for control
With four separate, wireless units, setting up the Q990D seems like it would be daunting, but the Q990D makes setup almost effortless. Once all units are plugged in and the soundbar is connected to the TV by HDMI eARC, the subwoofer and rear speakers connect by simply pressing a button on the back and you’re ready to go.
You can either use the supplied remote or the Samsung SmartThings app for control, with adjustments for boosting voice, bass and more. The Q990D can also be controlled via the TV remote using HDMI-CEC. Finally, there are control buttons and an LED display on top of the soundbar.
For those looking to optimize audio based on their room’s layout, there is also the SpaceFit Pro calibration system, which can be performed during initial setup or on the fly using the SmartThings app.
Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5
The Samsung HW-Q990D is pricey, but you get an entire Atmos experience across four units. (Image credit: Future)
Samsung HW-Q990D review: Value
Premium price
Best home theater soundbar option
Samsung Q990C still available
Priced at $1,799 / £1,699 / AU$1,995, the Q990D is a premium soundbar. And although its features and excellent all-around performance justify the price, it is no doubt going to push some people’s budgets.
The Samsung HW-Q990C, the Q990D’s predecessor, is still available and sells at a reduced price that’s only going to fall further – I’ve seen it selling for roughly $400 / £600 cheaper than the Q990D. It does miss out on the Q990D’s gaming features, but if they’re not relevant to you, the Q990C is fine. Another option is the Samsung HW-Q930D, the step-down model from the Q990D which comes with fewer channels and features.
Still, in terms of features and performance, the Q990D offers a Dolby Atmos home theater experience no other soundbar can offer. To beat it, you’d need to look at full AV setups that don’t allow for the same tidy installation or ease of use.
Should I buy the Samsung HW-Q990D?
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Section
Notes
Score
Features
Already stacked with features, the Q990D introduces gaming features to offer a completel experience
5 / 5
Performance
Immersive spatial audio, power and dynamism – the Q990D is top of the class
5 / 5
Design
A premium design, but the front display could be clearer
4 / 5
Setup & usability
Easy setup and plenty of control via remote or SmarThings
4.5 / 5
Value
Worth its price, but still undoubtedly expensive
4 / 5
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Samsung HW-Q990D review: Also consider
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Header Cell – Column 0
Samsung HW-Q990D
Samsung HW-Q990C
Sony HT-A7000
JBL Bar 1300X
Dimensions
Soundbar: 1309.0 x 595.0 x 277.0 mm, Subwoofer: 220.0 x 413.0 x 410.0 mm , Rear speaker: 129.5 x 201.3 x140.4 mm
Main soundbar – 1309(w) x 595(h) x 277(d)mm; subwoofer – 220(w) x 413(h) x 277(d)mm; rears – 129.5(w) x 201.3(h) x 140.4(d)mm
Main soundbar – 1300(w) x 80(h) x 142(d)mm
39.4 x 2.4 x 5.5 inches (soundbar), 8 x 2.4 x 5.5 inches (surround speakers), 14.4 x 18.9 x 14.4 inches (subwoofer)
Speaker channels
11.1.4
11.1.4
7.1.2
16
Connections
Two HDMI 2.1 input, One HDMI output, optical output, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Two HDMI inputs, one HDMI output with eARC support, digital optical audio input, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Two HDMI inputs, one HDMI output with eARC support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
4 HDMI inputs (1 with eARC), optical digital audio, USB type-A
Dolby Atmos/DTS:X
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
Yes/Yes
How I tested the Samsung HW-Q990D
(Image credit: Future)
Connected to the Samsung S95D
Tested with variety of sources
Both surround sound and stereo sound tested
To test the Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar, I connected it to the Samsung S95D – the flagship 2024 OLED TV from Samsung. The majority of testing was done with Q-Symphony and any other Samsung-centric features turned off to see how the Q990D would fare if connected to sets from other brands.
After some run-in time, I selected reference scenes from both streaming and 4K Blu-ray to test spatial sound, mainly Dolby Atmos. I then used lower-resolution sources such as DVD to test the Q990D on its handling of non-surround movie audio. I analyzed the Q990D’s spatial sound but also bass, trebles, mids, and dialogue clarity.
After this, I streamed music through both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to test the Q990D’s music playback quality. I played hi-res audio and Atmos music tracks from Tidal and lossy quality tracks via Bluetooth from Spotify.
For better or (mostly) worse, the only way to fully increase the storage of an Xbox Series X/S is to use a proprietary expansion card. Three and a half years into the consoles’ lives, there remain only two official solutions: Seagate’s Storage Expansion Card and the WD Black C50. It’s a limiting situation, but if you’re tired of deleting and reinstalling games to create space, versions of each card are at least a little cheaper than usual right now. The 1TB WD Black C50 is on sale for $125 at Amazon, while the 2TB Seagate Storage Expansion Card is down to $230 at Amazon and Best Buy.
WD
This is within $5 of the best price we’ve seen for WD’s Xbox storage card.
The former is $5 more than the lowest price we’ve ever seen, but it’s still $25 off the card’s usual street price. We’ll note that Seagate’s 1TB model has technically dropped as low as $90 a few times before, but those offers have typically sold out extremely fast; as of this writing, that drive costs $140. The discount on the 2TB Seagate card, meanwhile, matches the best price we’ve tracked. That one normally goes for $250. Since WD doesn’t sell a 2TB card, it’s also the highest-capacity option you can buy. Both of these discounts equal the prices we saw during Black Friday last year.
To reiterate, these aren’t great prices in the context of the wider storage market. Sony lets you upgrade the PlayStation 5 with a much wider range of traditional M.2 SSDs, almost all of which are available for significantly less per gigabyte. The top pick in our PS5 SSD buying guide, for instance, currently costs $90 for 1TB or $158 for 2TB. This is despite the fact that consumer SSD prices have generally increased over the past few months.
If you own a recent Xbox, though, you don’t have much choice. You can use a standard external drive to store Series X/S games or run backwards-compatible titles from the Xbox One and older consoles, but the only way to playcurrent-gen games is via internal storage or one of these official cards. That said, the cards themselves are just about as fast as that internal SSD, and setting them up is a breeze: You simply plug the tiny device into the Xbox’s expansion slot, and you’re good to go. The sticker shock is the one major negative, but these discounts should lighten the load somewhat.
ASUS’ Republic of Gamers (ROG) brand is working on new “performance gaming” headsets, while Lenovo’s focus is on devices for “productivity, learning and entertainment.” However, most intriguingly, perhaps, Meta says it’s also working on a limited-edition Xbox “inspired” Quest headset. (Microsoft and Meta also worked together recently to bring Xbox cloud gaming to the Quest.) While this could just be a reskinned Quest 3, this collaboration could lead to future headsets made entirely for Microsoft’s consoles. If PlayStation can have VR, then surely Xbox can too.
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This follows a more comprehensive probe from February.
The European Union (EU) has opened a second formal investigation into TikTok. The probe involves the addictive nature of TikTok Lite, a smaller version of the app that takes up less memory and was built to perform over slower internet connections. The wrinkle might be a design aspect that allows users to earn points by watching and liking videos. These points can be exchanged for TikTok’s proprietary digital currency and even Amazon vouchers. The EU’s Commission has expressed concern that this type of “task and reward” design language could impact the mental health of young users by “stimulating addictive behavior.”
Andy Stone was convicted after ‘publicly defending terrorism.’
A few months after Russian officials placed Meta spokesperson Andy Stone on a wanted list and started a criminal investigation, a Moscow court has issued an arrest warrant for him on several terrorism-related charges in February. It cited Stone’s alleged “promotion of terrorist activities, public calls for terrorist activities, public justification of terrorism or propaganda of terrorism and public calls for extremist activities.”
Russia’s investigative committee opened a probe into Meta in March 2022. It claimed Stone had incited extremist activity after lifting “a ban on calls for violence against the Russian military on its platforms.” Stone said Meta was “temporarily” allowing some posts to stay on its platforms that would have previously been taken down for inciting violence, but noted the company would still outlaw “credible calls for violence against Russian civilians.”
They’ll specialize in AAA, tabletop and indie titles.
Embracer
The company has announced plans to split into three separate parts. The first is Middle-earth Enterprises & Friends, specializing in AAA games like Tomb Raider and Dead Island – and, of course, anything Lord of the Rings. Asmodee will handle the tabletop gaming segment, which includes Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders, Azul, CATAN, Dobble and Exploding Kittens. Coffee Stain & Friends will be the company’s indie-centric group, with properties including Deep Rock Galactic and Goat Simulator.
Kareem Choudhry has left Microsoft as of Friday, April 5, 2024. The former corporate vice president of Emerging Technologies at Xbox, Choudhry most recently spearheaded the company’s exploration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in gaming.
As reported by Windows Central, it marks the end of an impressive 26-year tenure at the company. In addition to heading the Emerging Technologies team, Choudhry is also well known for his previous work on many significant Xbox projects. This includes the development of Xbox backwards compatibility and recent advances in Xbox Cloud Gaming.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the rest of the Emerging Technologies team will be incorporated into the wider Xbox hardware division. A memo has reportedly been distributed within the company, describing a desire to accelerate AI innovation through this change.
It comes amid a major strategic shakeup at Xbox, which includes plenty of leadership changes in addition to the recruiting of new staff. As part of this, a newly created Xbox Experiences and Platforms team, led by Ashley McKissick and Kevin Gammill, will now allegedly focus on polishing the Xbox user experience across both PC and console.
Analysis: A digital future for Xbox?
The creation of the new Xbox Experiences and Platforms team makes sense when you consider the recent arrival of a handful of former Xbox-exclusive titles, such as Hi-Fi Rush and Pentiment, on competing platforms including the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch.
With lackluster Xbox Series X sales, it seems increasingly likely that the Xbox brand is heading towards a more software-oriented future. Ensuring a unified Xbox experience across multiple platforms then seems like a considered way to maintain a cohesive brand in the absence of a flagship console, especially with a potential Xbox handheld gaming PC on the horizon.
As for Choudhry’s departure, bringing the company’s AI efforts closer to the main Xbox division could suggest a renewed focus on the technology – potentially as a means to increase the speed of software development. The exact outcomes of this shift have yet to be seen, but it’s certainly worth keeping an eye on Microsoft’s gaming efforts over the coming months.
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Xbox president Sarah Bond has confirmed that backwards compatibility with previous-generation Xbox games will remain a priority for the company’s hardware going forward.
In emails obtained by Windows Central, Bond states: “We have formed a new team dedicated to game preservation, important to all of us at Xbox and the industry itself.
“We are building on our strong history of delivering backwards compatibility to our players, and we remain committed to bringing forward the amazing library of Xbox games for future generations of players to enjoy.”
Bond also reiterated the company’s plans to deliver an impressive technical jump for Xbox’s next hardware generation, which she first stated during an Official Xbox Podcast that aired in February of this year. “We are moving full speed ahead on our next-generation hardware, focused on delivering the biggest technological leap ever in a generation,” Bond stresses once again in this most recent email correspondence.
Impressive commitment
Microsoft‘s commitment to backwards compatibility has always been impressive, and with Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S, it’s arguably better than it’s ever been. Both current generation consoles can play the Xbox One library in its entirety, and a healthy amount of Xbox 360 and original Xbox games are also playable. Better still, physical versions of these legacy titles will run on Xbox Series X.
That’d be all well and good in itself, but for some games, Microsoft elected to go a step further with enhanced resolution and performance patches. To this day, Xbox Series consoles are the only place where you can easily play Sonic Unleashed at a buttery smooth 60fps, for example.
Other games benefiting from these performance patches include Dark Souls 3, Fallout New Vegas, and the Dragon Age trilogy. If you’re curious, we’ve got a full list of Xbox FPS Boost games that look and play better than ever thanks to this enhanced backwards compatibility support.
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There are all sorts of things that could make Xbox a success over the next few years: the launch of The Elder Scrolls 6, Fable 4, expanded Game Pass options, a killer expansion for Starfield, and a host of exclusives. But the one thing I don’t think will change the success of Xbox and the position of the Xbox Series X in the market is a handheld console.
Murmurs of some form of Xbox handheld have been bubbling away for years, but few rumors have really ignited. But more recently Jez Corden from our sibling publication Windows Central reported that Microsoft has handheld prototypes, and Microsoft Gaming boss Phil Spencer has told Polygon that the company is exploring “different hardware form factors and things.” So this would pour some fuel on the smoldering rumor fire.
The simple fact is that you already have a handheld Xbox console in the form of your smartphone. If you fork out for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to get access to Xbox exclusives, games spanning multiple generations, and PC games – which means Game Pass Ultimate remains one of the best deals in gaming – you also get access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, which lets you stream games to all manner of devices, but most notably phones and tablets.
All you need is the Game Pass app and you can access a suite of Xbox games, old and new, on one of the best Android phones or an iPhone; the latter does need an app that points to a web browser bookmark, but it’s trivially simple to set up.
Ideally, you’ll have a Bluetooth Xbox controller and some form of bracket to attach your phone to it, or a controller accessory that turns your phone into a pseudo-Nintendo Switch. But if not, there are some games that Microsoft has retrofitted with on-display controls – think virtual buttons rather than custom touchscreen controls – which work reasonably well for a brief gaming session. And with access to 5G, even cheap phones can tap into Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Now I’ll admit the service isn’t perfect, especially in terms of lag, but it’s far from bad. And even if you don’t think a smartphone is big enough for a good handheld gaming console, well there’s a solution to that in the form of Valve’s Steam Deck.
Steaming ahead
(Image credit: Valve/Future)
With a little bit of manipulation on the Steam OS desktop, you can coax the Steam Deck to not only access Xbox Game Pass via a web browser but also recognize the Deck’s controller. Once I set it up this way, I actually finished Starfield on my Steam Deck.
Of course, if some code wrangling isn’t your scene then you can opt for one of a growing crop of Windows 11-based handheld gaming PCs, like the ROG Ally, that run Game Pass out of the box and can also run Xbox games natively.
So with such hardware and streaming capabilities, I don’t really see a place for a dedicated handheld Xbox device. Unless Microsoft can make such a console at a cost that undercuts the aforementioned Steam Deck, I’m not sure there are a lot of people clamoring for such a device.
The fact that Sony‘s PS Vita never really found its feet on a large scale, and the PlayStation Portal is a niche device, shows that even PlayStation struggles with handheld consoles. So one would be forgiven for asking “Why would Xbox ever bother?”
And before you say it, yes I know people will look towards Nintendo as an example of making handheld gaming work. But Nintendo has decades of experience and goodwill to call upon, starting with the Game & Watch, then the iconic Game Boy then the various DS models, and culminating with the Nintendo Switch OLED – and potentially a Switch 2. I’d love to be proven wrong, but I can’t see Microsoft coming up with a device that would get within spitting distance of even Nintendo’s ‘weakest’ handhelds.
However, if Microsoft revealed a mobile Xbox device made with the same care and precision as its Surface machines, I’d be all over it. But putting aside gadget lust, I feel the current options we already have mean that there are already handheld Xbox consoles available in different form factors.
Instead of pursuing new hardware, I’d much rather Microsoft and the Xbox division worked to make cloud-based game streaming even better and optimize games for use on the Steam Deck and other handheld PCs. Heck, it would be amazing if some older Xbox exclusives even got ported over to the Switch, though that could be a bit pie-in-the-sky thinking.
In short, I don’t need or want a handheld Xbox console. But I do need and want Microsoft to build out the Xbox experience on handheld hardware; I don’t think that’s asking for too much.
Whether you’re after a spare gamepad to play local multiplayer titles with friends or need a replacement for the controller that came with your Xbox console, the Xbox Wireless Controller is an excellent choice and is currently on sale for some seriously tempting prices in both the US and UK.
By far the most exciting Xbox Wireless Controller deal right now is a $17 discount on the Dream Vapor Special Edition, which is on sale for a new lowest-ever price of just $52.99 (was $69.99) at Amazon. We particularly appreciate the eye-catching purple swirl design, which is unique to each controller due to its manufacturing process.
Other top offers include the stunning Electric Volt colorway, which is on sale for just $49 (was $64.99) at Amazon. The bright Pulse Red controller has dropped to only $44 (was $64.99) at Amazon too, alongside the lovely Velocity Green for just $49 (was $58.99) at Amazon. These aren’t lowest-ever prices, but they’re still respectable savings on some of the best-looking Xbox Wireless Controller models around.
Over in the UK, a smaller £5 saving is available on the Dream Vapor Special Edition, which is on sale for £59.99 (was £64.99) at Currys. While we’d recommend you give that deal a miss, much more compelling savings can be found on the Electric Volt and Pulse Red colorways which are both just £39.99 (was £54.99) at Currys with free next-day delivery included. Velocity Green then costs £49.99 (was £54.99) at Currys, which is a saving of £5 with free delivery thrown in too.
Xbox controller deals – savings on lots of colorways
If you love downloading loads of titles from Xbox Game Pass, then investing in a spacious external hard disk drive (HDD) can be the perfect way to dramatically increase your Xbox Series X or Xbox Series S storage capacity without breaking the bank.
Available for just $161.52 at Amazon (was $219.99), the Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xbox offers 8TB of plug-and-play storage in an attractive Xbox-inspired shell complete with LED lighting. With a saving of just over $58, this is the lowest-ever price that we have ever seen on this configuration that smashes the previous record of $174.99 back in April last year.
Not in the US? Scroll down for the best deals in your region, while you can also find more deals in our full Amazon Spring Sale hub.
Today’s best external HDD deal for Xbox
A cheaper alternative to an official Xbox Storage Expansion Card, external HDDs offer fantastic value – but there’s a catch. While you can play any backwards compatible titles freely, any current-generation games must be copied over to the internal storage in order to be played.
While this might be a deal-breaker for some, transferring a game is a speedy process and could be the perfect solution if you want to dip into Xbox Game Pass titles while avoiding time-consuming downloads or completely filling up your internal drive.
Few Xbox storage solutions offer quite as much value as this mammoth external HDD. With 2TB of storage space, this HDD could hold more than 75 separate installations of Forza Horizon 5 at the same time. While you will need to copy some of the latest games to your internal storage in order to play them, this is still a great way to keep an expansive library saved locally. For more on using on external HDD with Xbox, read our detailed comparison of the Xbox expansion card vs external hard drive to see which option would be best for you.
If you’re currently outside of the US, be sure to check out some of the best Seagate Game Drive Hub for Xbox 8TB prices in your region as found by our dedicated deal-finding robots below:
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The springtime sales are coming good for gaming peripherals and deals and one of my absolute favorite Xbox and PC controllers is discounted right now. The Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro controller is down a near-record-low price of $134.99 at Amazon in the US (was $169.99) – it’s the lowest price since for a good few months and since the holidays!
This is a superb saving of more than 20% on a premium PC controller, that also offers new ways to play games due to its modular design. I have a soft spot for it as it was the first controller I could use on an Xbox console – the modules allowed me to change it to a symmetrical layout and thus I finally had an Xbox controller that played nice with my hands. It’s around three years since it first came out, but with a newer version also coming out recently in the form of the Thrustmaster eSwap X2, we’re likely to enjoy price cuts on the eSwap X Pro while stock remains at retailers. This is such a price cut, and marks an ideal time to adopt the pro controller and take your gaming up a notch.
Not in the US? Scroll down for the best deals in your region. And if you’re after more deals this month, check out our full Amazon Spring Sale hub.
Today’s best Thrustmaster controller deal
On top of the modularity, this is a premium Xbox and PC pro controller more broadly – and certainly still holds up in the face of its slightly newer brethren that;’s come out recently. The eSwap X Pro offers changeable triggers, remappable back buttons, super-satisfyingly clicky shoulder and face buttons, ultra-responsive sticks, and a robust design. It is wired, but the 9.8ft / 3m cable should be long enough for most setups.
More Xbox and PC controller deals
Looking for more Thrustmaster eSwap X Pro prices, or for more PC and Xbox controller deals? Our automatic price-finding tech can help with loads of the lowest prices from around the web below, with offers available in your region.
Scroll down for more Amazon Spring sale deals in the US and UK.
