ASUS Teases Xbox-Branded Handheld

Gaming hardware giant ASUS has recently teased what could be the much-anticipated Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) account on X/Twitter shared an intriguing teaser featuring its "little robot friend cooking something up," which offered a brief glimpse at a Republic of Gamers Xbox controller and a handheld system.

Last month, IGN reported on Microsoft's ambitious plans for video game hardware, which include a full next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025. The teaser from ASUS further fuels this speculation, as the handheld device clearly displays buttons configured for Xbox, with the familiar Y, B, A, and X layout, along with a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four additional buttons, though these are difficult to discern in the teaser.

Adding to the excitement, the official Xbox account responded to ASUS's tweet with a cheeky wide-eyed gif, hinting at an impending reveal. Unfortunately, specifics like a reveal date or a concrete launch window are still under wraps. However, the monitor in the teaser hints at the handheld's key features: "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 integrate Xbox and Windows experiences for PC gaming handhelds manufactured by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

While this Xbox-branded gaming handheld won't be a Microsoft-made console, the company is reportedly gearing up to launch its own first-party handheld in the future. 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, now reportedly "fully" in production, is expected to hit the market in 2027. This aligns with Xbox president Sarah Bond's statement that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," aiming for the most significant technological leap ever in a generation.

The future of gaming consoles continues to be a hot topic, with Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, suggesting that future generations might rely less on traditional consoles. Despite this, major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are pushing forward with new hardware. Nintendo's highly anticipated Switch 2 is set to be showcased in a Nintendo Direct on April 2, with fans eager to learn about its features, release date, and pre-order details.