ASUS Xbox Handheld Images Leak Online

It looks like photos of ASUS' Xbox-branded handheld device, codenamed Project Kennan, have surfaced online, giving gamers a sneak peek at what could be the next big thing in portable gaming.

As initially reported by 91mobiles and highlighted by Eurogamer, two images of the ASUS ROG Ally 2 — one in white, the other in black — have been leaked via the Indonesian certification office. These images were linked to a now-deleted listing on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website.

Both versions feature buttons designed in the Xbox layout (Y, B, A, and X), distinct from the PlayStation's triangle, circle, cross, and square, or Nintendo's X, A, B, and Y. The black variant is particularly noteworthy as it sports an Xbox button, though without the iconic 'X', positioned to the left of the thumbstick. While the tech specs remain somewhat fragmented, it's unclear if there are significant differences between the black and white models.

Windows Central's Jez Corden has noted that these devices are "currently being tested at Microsoft HQ rather openly as we speak," suggesting a possible reveal around May 20.

Photos of Xbox's "Project Kennan" seem to have leaked. https://t.co/fQiMISNMJZ

— Jez (@JezCorden) May 7, 2025

Last month, ASUS Republic of Gamers' X/Twitter account teased fans with a glimpse of both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and a handheld system. The official Xbox account playfully responded with a wide-eyed gif, hinting at an upcoming formal announcement.

This leak aligns with an earlier IGN report on Microsoft's gaming hardware plans, which include a full next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld expected to launch later in 2025.

While the ASUS ROG Ally 2 isn't a Microsoft-manufactured console, Microsoft is reportedly set to release its own first-party Xbox handheld in 2027, according to gaming boss Phil Spencer, who indicated that a first-party handheld is still years away.

Additionally, the successor to the Xbox Series X is reportedly in full production and expected to launch in two years, aligning with Xbox president Sarah Bond's recent statement that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware, focused on delivering the biggest technological leap ever in a generation."