ASUS Teases Xbox-Branded Handheld

Gaming hardware company ASUS has recently teased what could be a groundbreaking Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers X/Twitter account shared a tantalizing glimpse of its "little robot friend cooking something up," featuring both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and a handheld system.

This teaser follows last month's IGN report on Microsoft’s ambitious plans for video game hardware, which include a full next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and a potential Xbox-branded gaming handheld set to launch later in 2025. The handheld device shown in ASUS's teaser prominently displays buttons configured for Xbox (Y, B, A, and X), a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four additional smaller buttons, although these are somewhat obscured.

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

pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025

While details remain scarce, the monitor in the teaser lists "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds," and "fresh look!" as potential unique selling points for the 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) like ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

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Although this Xbox-branded gaming handheld is not a Microsoft-made console, the company is reportedly gearing up to launch its own in 2027, coinciding with the release of its next-gen Xbox. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer has hinted that a first-party Xbox handheld is still several years away.

The successor to the Xbox Series X is now reportedly in full production and expected to launch in two years, aligning with Xbox president Sarah Bond's recent statement that Microsoft was "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware, aiming for the most significant technological leap in a generation.

Amidst the speculation about the future of gaming consoles, Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, suggested a future where gaming relies less on dedicated consoles, despite major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo forging ahead with new hardware. Nintendo's much-anticipated Switch 2 will be unveiled in a Nintendo Direct on April 2, with fans eager to learn about the device's features, release date, and pre-order details.