Gaming hardware company ASUS has recently given us a tantalizing glimpse into what might be an upcoming Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) X/Twitter account teased the community with a video of its "little robot friend cooking something up," revealing a sneak peek at both an ROG Xbox controller and a handheld system.
This development comes on the heels of last month's IGN report on Microsoft's video game hardware ambitions, which include plans for a full next-gen Xbox in 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025. The handheld featured in ASUS's teaser distinctly shows Xbox-specific buttons (Y, B, A, and X), a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four additional smaller buttons, although these are not entirely clear in the footage.
Adding fuel to the speculation, the official Xbox account responded to the teaser with a playful wide-eyed gif, hinting at an imminent reveal.
pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka
— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025
While details are sparse, the monitor in the teaser hints at the handheld's potential unique selling points, mentioning "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds," and a "fresh look!"
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 produced by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.
Although this Xbox-branded gaming handheld isn't a Microsoft-made console, the company is reportedly planning to release its own console in 2027, alongside its next-gen Xbox. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer has suggested that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away.
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 assertion that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," aiming for the biggest technological leap in a generation.
Amidst ongoing discussions about the future of gaming consoles, Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, recently predicted a future generation that might depend less on traditional gaming consoles. Meanwhile, major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to advance with new hardware. Nintendo's highly anticipated Switch 2 is set to be showcased in a Nintendo Direct on April 2, where fans are eager to learn about its new features, release date, and pre-order details.
