ASUS Teases Xbox-Handheld Device

Gaming hardware company ASUS has recently unveiled a teaser that hints at a potential Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers X/Twitter account shared a glimpse of its "little robot friend" working on something new, revealing a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and a handheld system.

This development aligns with last month's IGN report on Microsoft's gaming hardware ambitions, which included plans for a full next-gen Xbox in 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld expected to launch later in 2025. The teaser from ASUS clearly features Xbox-specific buttons (Y, B, A, and X), a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and additional smaller buttons, although the latter are not clearly visible.

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

pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025

While specific details such as a reveal date or launch window remain undisclosed, the monitor in the teaser mentions "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds" and "fresh look!", suggesting potential key features of the new handheld.

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 produced by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

While this Xbox-branded gaming handheld is not a direct Microsoft product, Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch its own console in 2027, alongside its next-gen Xbox. Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming boss, has indicated that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away. The successor to the Xbox Series X is reportedly in full production and expected to be released in two years, which aligns with Xbox president Sarah Bond's statement that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," aiming for a significant technological leap.

The future of gaming consoles remains a topic of much speculation. Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, has suggested that future gaming generations may rely less on traditional consoles. However, major companies 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 can expect to learn about its features, release date, and pre-order details.