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Potential 2027 xbox handheld APU leaked by MLID

M

Marees

Supreme [H]ardness
Joined
Sep 28, 2018
Messages
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Background: currently AMD has a halo APU which is medusa halo (mainly used in tablets such as Asus rog flow but also a few $1500+ upcoming handhelds). The primary handheld APU right now is the strix point widely used including the new Asus rog xbox Ally X. there is also a low power apu Krackan mainly for budget laptops & not gaming

All this is set to change in 2027 (when RDNA 5 will be launched worldwide)

  1. Medusa point with CPU iod & bare minimum RDNA 5 CU complex — this will replace krackan in budget laptops — at the max this can go to sub-$500 budget handhelds
  2. Same as above but an extra cpu iod with 12 more zen 6/c cores — will replace strix point in premium laptops. Note that GPU CU count remains the same as above
  3. Medusa premium (also known as medusa halo mini — lets just call it medusa not so halo) — this will be the new z3e replacement & hence new 'xbox' handhelds
    1. 14x zen6 cpu in a iod chip — mix of zen 6 p/c/lp cores
    2. A separate 24 CU RDNA 5 chip that uses 128 bit lpddr5x (or lpddr6)
    3. This apu is also a drop in replacement for strix halo strix point as it will supposedly use the same socket
    4. Note above gpu chip can also be sold as a standalone entry level graphics card. Which will make a decent upgrade for 3060 12gb users
    5. Handhelds using this configuration likely to cost less than $1000
    6. Can also be used for AI devices upto 64gb unified ram I think
  4. Medusa halo — the big chungus (let's call it the medusa halo mega)
    1. Same cpu-iod complex as above with 14 mixed zen 6 cores
    2. Additional 12 core zen 6 cpu ccd
    3. The graphics chip will double the CUs to 48 CUs
    4. Again will use lpddr5x or lpddr6 but most likely 384 bit. (Maybe 256 bit ?)
    5. So the ram should max out at 128gb or 192gb. Hence primarily for big AI machines
    6. New socket obviously
    7. This will functionally replace the current medusa halo devices such as Asus rog flow tablet or framework builds
    8. In rare case somebody like Aya neo might be mad enough to build a handheld that will definitely cost more than $2000
    9. This gpu chip also will go to stand alone gpus although the lpddr5x/6 vram will be slower than nvidia's competing gddr7 products. I don't expect too many of these to sell but will mostly be in the range of $400 to $500

https://www.techpowerup.com/340216/amd-medusa-halo-apu-leak-reveals-up-to-24-cores-and-48-rdna-5-cus
 
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Marees said:
  1. 14x zen6 cpu in a iod chip — mix of zen 6 p/c/lp cores
  2. A separate 24 CU RDNA 5 chip that uses 128 bit lpddr5x (or lpddr6)
  3. This apu is also a drop in replacement for strix halo as it will supposedly use the same socket
Click to expand...
As a point of contrast the PlayStation handheld is supposed to have
  1. Monolithic
  2. 4 zen6 cores
  3. Approx 18 RDNA 5 CUs
  4. Probably 16gb vram
  5. Low power mode of current PS5 will match handheld operating range of 15 watts
  6. This will essentially halve the performance of current PS5 without FSR 4
  7. With FSR 4 will match performance of PS5 in handheld mode around 15 watts
  8. Docked mode could use more power & with combination of FSR4 should be able to act as the series S version of the PlayStation 6
  9. Built for a budget. Should be competitive with Nintendo switch in terms of budget
 
I'm finding myself most excited for that PS Handheld (thanks to the Steam Deck and ROG Ally making me love handhelds). I'm hoping for tight integration between the PS Handheld and the PS6 TV console, I'd absolutely love it if I can suspend on my PS Handheld and then continue that gamestate from the PS6 TV console (via the game state being saved through the cloud or home Wifi or whatever).

That'd be super cool if the PS Handheld is a dock-able system (ala Switch 2), this would also mean Nintendo and Sony being hardware competitors again. And if Sony has a direct competitor to the Switch 2, I wonder if that would have Nintendo releasing their Switch 2 successor earlier, and maybe even a console designed to compete against a PS6 performance-wise (designed by Nvidia).

I'm also starting to feel the hype for AMD's 'APU drop-in' design. It's a nice thought that I could get 'next gen Xbox' performance using an APU and then upgrade both CPU/GPU via a future APU drop-in upgrade. If I could get great 1440p performance (native) and great 4k via framegen+upscaling, I'm not sure if I'd even require a dedicated GPU at that point. Plus my system builds could be made a lot smaller.
 
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cool but what was wrong with one of the other 5 xbox hand held threads you started?
 
It appears that Microsoft is going with chiplet models for both handheld & console (as opposed to traditional monolithic approach by Sony)

Both will have 2 chiplets
  1. Chiplet 1 — cpu + i/o + media output
  2. Chiplet 2 — GPU + memory controller

In an interesting (clever?/desperate??) approach it seems the cpu + i/o chiplet will be shared between both handheld & console options

The GPU chiplets would be shared with AMD's traditional discreet GPUs
  1. Console — AT2 (upto 72 CUs, 192 bit gddr7 bus) = 10070xt 24 gb or 18 gb
  2. Handheld — AT4 (24 CUs, 128 bit lpddr5x/lpddr6 bus) = 10050xt — no upper limit on vram

As you can see above the console GPU ~ 3x handheld GPU
This is similar to the current ratio between series S & series X

Effectively
handheld = series S (priced between $800 to $1000)
console = series X (priced approximately as 5080 Street price by next year end?)


Marees said:
If we go by rumours it appears that Microsoft (in contrast to Sony) has given up on the subsidized console model

Sony is targeting
  1. PS6 — same price as base PS5
    1. Monolithic 3nm
    2. 8x zen6c cores (+ 2x zen6lp cores)
    3. 54? CU
    4. 160 bit gddr7 bus (memory is 20gb, 30gb, or 40gb)
  2. PS6 handheld — same price as Switch 2
    1. Monolithic 3nm
    2. 4x zen6c cores (+ 2x zen6lp cores)
    3. 16 CU
    4. LPDDR5x or LPDDR6X (16gb or 24gb ram)
Microsoft targetting
  1. Xbox — first party but potentially unsubsidized
    1. Cpu & io in one 3nm chip, GPU in another 3nm chip
    2. CPU & io chip to be shared with the xbox handheld? — see below
    3. 72? or less CU (AT2 — Magnus)
    4. 192 bit gddr7 bus (24gb ram? )
  2. 'Xbox' handheld — third party & successor to xbox RoG Ally X ($800 to $1000)
    1. Cpu & io in one 3nm chip, GPU in another 3nm chip
    2. This is the medusa Premium, one step below the Medusa Halo & slots into current strix point socket
    3. 24 CU (AT4)
    4. 128 bit lpddr5x or lpddr6 (24gb+ ram? — as this is PC there is no upper limit)

As you can see above the xbox handheld & console likely share same cpu configuration but memory is gddr7 for console vs lpddr for handheld & GPU is in approx ratio of 3:1 — which is same as current series S & X

This basically means that price of series S has doubled & price of series X would be same as rtx 5080 Street price by next year end


Is the console war over? Next-gen Xbox could be aiming at PCs, not PS6​

News
By Tony Polanco published August 5, 2025
The next Xbox could be a radical departure from past consoles

https://www.tomsguide.com/gaming/xb...-next-gen-xbox-could-be-aiming-at-pcs-not-ps6


right now, consoles don’t evolve much (if at all) during their lifespans. Magnus’ design could allow Microsoft to mix dies whenever the company wants to upgrade the console, potentially resulting in more frequent updates than the typical seven-year console lifecycle. Digital Foundry also said this design could effectively move Xbox away from the standard console “generation” we've known.

If everything Digital Foundry discusses comes true, then the next Xbox would be akin to a pre-built PC, as rumors have recently suggested. Though this system could be more expensive than a home console, it could be more affordable than one of the best gaming PCs.

Digital Foundry Explores AMD Magnus Leak, Hints at Major Xbox Hardware Shift​


The broader goal, as the hosts inferred, appears to be a convergence of Xbox hardware with the PC gaming market. By adopting a modular design and offering more scalable hardware, Microsoft may abandon the traditional console lifecycle altogether in favor of a more iterative model. This would also align with AMD’s interests in expanding its hardware footprint, particularly against Nvidia in the GPU market.

https://twistedvoxel.com/digital-fo...gnus-leak-hints-at-major-xbox-hardware-shift/
Click to expand...
 
Marees said:
It appears that Microsoft is going with chiplet models for both handheld & console (as opposed to traditional monolithic approach by Sony)

Both will have 2 chiplets
  1. Chiplet 1 — cpu + i/o + media output
  2. Chiplet 2 — GPU + memory controller

In an interesting (clever?/desperate??) approach it seems the cpu + i/o chiplet will be shared between both handheld & console options

The GPU chiplets would be shared with AMD's traditional discreet GPUs
  1. Console — AT2 (upto 72 CUs, 192 bit gddr7 bus) = 10070xt 24 gb or 18 gb
  2. Handheld — AT4 (24 CUs, 128 bit lpddr5x/lpddr6 bus) = 10050xt — no upper limit on vram

As you can see above the console GPU ~ 3x handheld GPU
This is similar to the current ratio between series S & series X

Effectively
handheld = series S (priced between $800 to $1000)
console = series X (priced approximately as 5080 Street price by next year end?)
Click to expand...

Xbox handheld (medusa premium) vs console (magnus)

20250916_150349.jpg
 
Why is everyone else jumping on this damn handheld trend. No one wants this shit. Market is flooded now. They are not selling as many of these units as people think. They are not going to match the Switch 1 success.
 
vegeta535 said:
Why is everyone else jumping on this damn handheld trend. No one wants this shit. Market is flooded now. They are not selling as many of these units as people think. They are not going to match the Switch 1 success.
Click to expand...
But investors want them to match the switch

When investors smell money, you ask how high.
 
KazeoHin said:
But investors want them to match the switch

When investors smell money, you ask how high.
Click to expand...
Sure but they going on about it the wrong way also. People are complaining about the S2 price of $450 already and it been hurting the S2 sales beyond the initial rush. So let's make a handheld that cost twice as much or more is a brilliant move. The most popular one on the market is the steam deck and I doubt they even sold 5 million units. How many units do does MS and other companies expect to move at a price of $800+?
 
vegeta535 said:
Sure but they going on about it the wrong way also. People are complaining about the S2 price of $450 already and it been hurting the S2 sales beyond the initial rush. So let's make a handheld that cost twice as much or more is a brilliant move. The most popular one on the market is the steam deck and I doubt they even sold 5 million units. How many units do does MS and other companies expect to move at a price of $800+?
Click to expand...
Hurting Switch 2 sales?


What planet are you living on?

Switch 2 has sold more quickly than literally any other console in history.
 
KazeoHin said:
Hurting Switch 2 sales?


What planet are you living on?

Switch 2 has sold more quickly than literally any other console in history.
Click to expand...
It did sell very well but it has slowed down atm. It will probably pick up again for the holiday season. Anyway that wasn't the point.
 
Yeah, the price of these new handhelds really killed any hype I had for them (and I loved my Steam Deck/ROG Ally Z1E).

The one rumored handheld that I could see doing well is the Sony PS6 handheld variant. If they can keep the price of it near Switch 2 levels (rumors so far show this as a possibility) and have a decent software library - I can see Nintendo finally having direct competition again (especially if this handheld is a dock-able hybrid like the Switch). Which would be great - I think Nintendo/Sony dealing with each other as direct competitors is the best thing for consumers (hopefully reign in Nintendo's pricing/online policies and have Sony countering Nintendo's traditional first party software stack with their own.)
 
vegeta535 said:
It did sell very well but it has slowed down atm. It will probably pick up again for the holiday season. Anyway that wasn't the point.
Click to expand...

The point is that investors smell cash, and have the legal ability to press charges against the companies they invest in if they think those companies aren't making as much money as they can.

So when switch 2 sells a cuntzillion imperial fuckatons, and investors see their dancing monkeys following suit with something that is superficially the same, investors happy.
 
I really doubt if you listen to all the investor call of the last 3 years that you will hear much question about why there is no Xbox handheld already.... (or any activist investor talk of it...)

The amount of weight people put in investor for that kind of things do not seem to match my experience at all....

https://www.fool.com/earnings/call-...rosoft-msft-q4-2025-earnings-call-transcript/
Xbox or handheld mentioned zero time

Question look like:
What do you think is the best way that software companies are gonna be able to monetize AI for SaaS? Do you believe there are differences in monetization for horizontal, more general apps like Microsoft 365 Copilot or dynamic CRM Copilot versus very targeted capacities on the AgenTex side?
or
Satya, Amy, this is the second quarter in a row of pretty material Azure upside from what sounds like an acceleration in, on-prem to Azure migration activity. I'm just wondering if you can comment on the plethora of customer conversations you've had, whether there are a couple of two or three specific catalysts that are driving that migration? And how durable a trend do you think that is?

That where people smell money, not how many Xbox skus there will be and microsoft investor call/comments for a good while tend to be congratulation for the great work and all that money... how we will make even more next year again I am curious

KazeoHin said:
The point is that investors smell cash, and have the legal ability to press charges against the companies they invest in if they think those companies aren't making as much money as they can.
Click to expand...
Good luck pressing charge against Nadella to not have optimized Microsoft making money and being about an lack of a near negative margin handheld Xbox device that can very easily fail, he made Microsoft more than 12 time more valuable, every dollar bought in a DRIP of MSFT in february 2014 is not at $16.42, for a %27 annual composite return rate, he gained a lot of trust and liberty.

Not doing an Xbox handheld is far from the level of reckless from a board to say they were not exercising a duty of care imo, not even in the ballpark, the full opposite stopping Xbox completely as a hardware business and focusing on their game studio making the best game possible running on everything would not even be a legal issue.
 
Last edited:
vegeta535 said:
Why is everyone else jumping on this damn handheld trend. No one wants this shit.
Click to expand...

I do. The Switch 2 is years out and I'm going to want something that is an upgrade over what's available now.
 

Xbox Series S2 / baby Helix / Medusa Premium / Z3 Extreme speculation​


pure speculation on my part, regarding the medusa premium (AT4)

  1. it should definitely be launched / revealed on CES (Jan 2028) because medusa point on the same FP10 socket motherboard launches coming CES (jan 2027)
  2. it has to be the replacement for chips in current windows PC handhelds (z2 extreme)
  3. effectively medusa premium is the de-facto z3 extreme
  4. even though primary use case seems to be PC handhelds & gaming laptops, it can become a sleeper hit as a steam machine competitor
  5. it is in same cpu & gpu ballpark as steam machine but due to dx13 & fsr5 it should be able to match or beat the ps5 pro !!
  6. now the pricing strategy. there are 2 strategies here:
    1. normal PC like rog ally X or lenovo legion go and boots into a full screen optimized xbox mode with hdmi CEC out
      1. if you go by current rog ally x & legion go price this will be in range of $1000+
      2. Microsoft deliberately pulled out of a first party xbox handheld so that they don't ruin the business model of Asus & Lenovo
      3. so instead of making a first party handheld running xbox o/s for $600 to $700, MS let Asus & Lenovo launch $1000+ windows handhelds — smart strategy as Asus & Lenovo have the bigger distribution reach compared to XBOX
    2. Xbox first party running xbox os — back compat to all xbox games & curated access to PC game stores which have tie-up to xbox
      1. originally this must not have been the plan. only magnus/helix was meant to be a first party xbox console
      2. but MDS-P shares same cpu & npu structure as magnus/helix & by a huge coincidence the ratio of AT2 to AT4 is very similar as the ratio of series X to series S
      3. that makes helix/magnus the Series X2 & Medusa Premium (Z3 extreme) the Series S2 (if Microsoft wants it that way)
      4. of course launching a first party series S2 will completely ruin the business case of Asus & Lenovo to make a OEM steam machine competitor
      5. maybe Microsoft lets Asus & Lenovo keep making PC handhelds but decides to take the steam machine competition slot for itself. note Asha has been crying loudly on the high price of hardware
      6. imagine $600 series S2 that matches or beats the ps5 pro launching nov-2027 (with exclusives such as Elder Scrolls VI)
 
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