ASUS Teases Xbox-Branded Handheld

Gaming hardware company ASUS has recently unveiled a teaser that may reveal the much-talked-about Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers X/Twitter account shared an intriguing post featuring its "little robot friend cooking something up," which included a glimpse of both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and a handheld system.

This teaser comes on the heels of last month's IGN report on Microsoft's gaming hardware plans, which reportedly include a next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025. The ASUS teaser clearly showcases a handheld with buttons configured in the Xbox layout (Y, B, A, and X), as opposed to the PlayStation or Nintendo configurations. The device also features a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four additional smaller buttons, although these are not clearly visible in the teaser.

Adding to the excitement, the official Xbox account acknowledged the teaser with a playful wide-eyed gif, hinting at an upcoming reveal. While no specific date or launch window has been confirmed, the monitor in the teaser mentions "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds" and "fresh look!" suggesting some of the handheld's key features.

In January, Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of ‘Next Generation,’ shared with The Verge that the company aims to merge Xbox and Windows experiences for PC gaming handhelds developed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

While the Xbox-branded gaming handheld is not a Microsoft-made console, there are plans for Microsoft to launch its own console in 2027, coinciding with the release of the next-gen Xbox. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer has indicated that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away. Meanwhile, the successor to the Xbox Series X is reportedly in full production and set to launch in two years, aligning with Xbox president Sarah Bond's recent statement about moving "full speed ahead on our next generation hardware" and aiming for a significant technological leap.

Amidst these developments, there's ongoing speculation about the future of gaming consoles. Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, predicts a shift away from traditional consoles, despite major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continuing to advance in this space. Nintendo is set to reveal more about its highly anticipated Switch 2 during a Nintendo Direct on April 2, where fans are eager to learn about its features, release date, and pre-order details.