ASUS Teases Xbox-Branded Handheld

ASUS, a leading name in gaming hardware, has recently teased what could be the much-talked-about Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) X/Twitter account shared an intriguing teaser featuring its "little robot friend cooking something up," which briefly showcased both an ROG Xbox controller and a handheld system.

This development follows last month's IGN report on Microsoft's ambitious plans for video game hardware, which include a next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025. The teaser from ASUS provides a clear view of the handheld's buttons, configured in the Xbox style with Y, B, A, and X, rather than the layouts used by PlayStation or Nintendo. The device also features a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four smaller additional buttons, though these are less distinct in the teaser.

Adding to the excitement, the official Xbox account acknowledged the tweet with a playful wide-eyed gif, hinting at an upcoming reveal. While no specific date for the reveal or launch has been announced, 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 integrate Xbox and Windows experiences for PC gaming handhelds developed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

Although this Xbox-branded gaming handheld is not a Microsoft-made console, the company is reportedly gearing up to launch its own console in 2027, alongside its next-gen Xbox. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer has hinted that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away. Meanwhile, the successor to the Xbox Series X is 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 for the biggest 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 suggested that future generations might rely less on gaming consoles, despite major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continuing to innovate. Nintendo's highly anticipated Switch 2 device is set to be showcased in a Nintendo Direct on April 2, where fans are eager to learn more about what features the Switch 2 brings to the table, its release date, and how pre-orders will be managed.