ASUS Teases Xbox-Branded Handheld

Gaming hardware company ASUS has given us a tantalizing glimpse of what could be the rumored Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) X/Twitter account dropped a teaser featuring its "little robot friend cooking something up," which briefly showcased both an ROG Xbox controller and a handheld system.

Last month, IGN shed light on Microsoft's ambitious plans for its gaming hardware, hinting at a full next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld that might hit the market later in 2025.

The handheld device teased by ASUS clearly sports buttons configured for Xbox, featuring Y, B, A, and X buttons, unlike the PlayStation's triangle, circle, cross, and square, or Nintendo's X, A, B, and Y. It also includes a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four additional smaller buttons, though these are somewhat obscured in the teaser.

Adding to the excitement, the official Xbox account responded to the teaser with a playful wide-eyed gif, hinting at an upcoming reveal.

pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025

While we don't have a confirmed reveal date or a solid launch window yet, the monitor in the teaser lists "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds" and "fresh look!" as potential key features of this new handheld.

In January, Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of ‘Next Generation,’ spoke to The Verge about the company's intention to blend Xbox and Windows experiences for PC gaming handhelds manufactured by OEMs like ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

While this Xbox-branded gaming handheld isn't a Microsoft-made console, the company is reportedly working on its own console set to launch in 2027, alongside the next-gen Xbox. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer has indicated that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away.

The successor to the Xbox Series X is now reportedly in "full" production and expected to be released in two years, aligning with Xbox president Sarah Bond's statement that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," aiming to deliver the largest technological leap in a generation.

Amidst these developments, there's ongoing speculation about the future of gaming consoles. Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, recently predicted a future generation less reliant on gaming consoles, despite major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo advancing with new hardware. Nintendo's highly anticipated Switch 2 is set to be revealed in a Nintendo Direct on April 2, where fans are eager to learn more about its features, release date, and pre-order details.