ASUS Teases Xbox-Branded Handheld

Gaming hardware giant ASUS has recently teased what could be an exciting new development in the world of gaming: an Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) X/Twitter account shared a tantalizing teaser featuring a "little robot friend cooking something up," alongside a glimpse of both an ROG Xbox controller and a handheld system.

This revelation follows a report from IGN last month detailing Microsoft's ambitious plans for video game hardware, which include a full next-generation Xbox slated for 2027 and a potential Xbox-branded gaming handheld expected to hit the market later in 2025. The handheld device shown in ASUS's teaser sports buttons clearly configured for Xbox, featuring the familiar Y, B, A, and X layout, rather than the PlayStation's triangle, circle, cross, and square or Nintendo's X, A, B, and Y setup. Additionally, the device appears to include a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four smaller additional 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 impending reveal. While no specific dates have been confirmed, the monitor in the teaser displayed phrases such as "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds" and "fresh look!", suggesting key selling points for the upcoming 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 developed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

While the Xbox-branded gaming handheld teased by ASUS is not a Microsoft-made console, the company is reportedly planning to launch its own first-party handheld in the coming years. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer has indicated that a Microsoft-made handheld is still some time away. Meanwhile, the successor to the Xbox Series X, dubbed the next-gen Xbox, is reportedly in full production and expected to launch in two years. This aligns with Xbox president Sarah Bond's recent statement that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," with a focus on delivering the most significant technological leap in a generation.

The future of gaming consoles remains a hot topic, with Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, suggesting a shift away from traditional gaming consoles despite ongoing developments by major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo. Nintendo is set to reveal more about its highly anticipated Switch 2 device during a Nintendo Direct on April 2, with fans eagerly awaiting details on the device's features, release date, and pre-order information.