Microsoft has revealed its new wireless gaming headset and, aside from what you might expect, one of its surprise features is quite the boon.

Simultaneously Pair Your Phone and Console to Xbox Wireless Headsets

That's right, according to a post on Xbox Wire, which details the new wireless headset, you can:

[...] simultaneously pair the headset to your phone and Xbox. That means, for example, that you can chat with a friend or—as the engineering team recalls doing—dial in to a conference call on your phone and play on your console at the same time.

Aside from those who work in the video game industry, it is difficult to imagine anyone's employer being all that happy if you're sat playing Warzone while trying to manage a major client call.

However, this feature means you can converse with family and friends on your phone while you're also lopping heads off in Assassin's Creed Valhalla, or racing around dirt tracks in Wreckfest.

Currently, there are other models on the market that can technically do this, like the Turtle Beach Stealth 700. However, this requires a dongle. The Xbox official headset doesn't.

What Else Can the New Xbox Wireless Headset Do?

Obviously the above is a fairly "back-seat" feature compared to the usual attributes of a wireless gaming headset, but it is worth making a fuss of, nonetheless.

Of course, the headset looks ideal for everything else you'd expect from a gaming headset. Obviously it is wireless, so there won't be any fussy cables annoying you while you aim for a touchdown in Madden '21.

The headset also has an immersive, comprehensive, spatial sound setup. This is compatible with various technologies, including Windows Sonic, Dolby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X.

The cups that go over your ears act as rotating controls, allowing you to adjust the balance between your game and a phone conversation.

Microsoft also takes care of battery life. You get 15 hours of juice in these gaming cans, which is perfect even for long gaming sessions. It doesn't quite match up to the battery life of other wireless gaming headsets on the market, but you may be able to extend that by tinkering with the settings.

Be aware that this 15 hour value is subject to optimizing the headset. It won't last this long on full volume and if you're chatting and listening to music all the while, too.

Microsoft has the headset penciled in for launch on March 16, 2021. They will be available via multiple retailers with a price tag of $99.99. It looks as though the Microsoft store has already sold out of pre-order stock.

Can You Use the New Xbox Wireless Headset With Other Devices?

You sure can. The headset is compatible with Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, any PC running Windows 10, and mobile devices (including tablets) which are Bluetooth enabled.

This means that you can use the Xbox wireless gaming headset with xCloud games. If you are currently accessing xCloud via your Android device, the headset will work just fine.

A Pleasant Surprise From Microsoft

The Xbox wireless headset has come as a pleasant surprise for many (although eagle-eyed fans spotted them in the Xbox Series X/S promotional footage). The headset looks to have plenty of features, and that multi-device connection is a significant advantage.

If you're not sure about the $99.99 price tag Microsoft is slapping on its new headset, there are plenty of other options available out there. You would expect the best quality and compatibility from a first-party peripheral, though.