ASUS Teases Xbox-Branded Handheld

Gaming hardware giant ASUS has offered a tantalizing glimpse of what might be the much-discussed Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) X/Twitter account posted a teaser featuring its "little robot friend" concocting something special, revealing a brief look at both an ROG Xbox controller and a handheld system.

This follows last month's IGN report on Microsoft's ambitious plans for video game hardware, which include a next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025. The handheld teased by ASUS distinctly features Xbox-specific buttons (Y, B, A, and X) alongside a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four additional buttons, though these are less clear in the teaser.

Adding fuel to the speculation, the official Xbox account responded to ASUS's tweet with a cheeky wide-eyed gif, hinting at an impending reveal.

pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025

While no specific reveal date or launch window has been announced, 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 merge Xbox and Windows experiences for PC gaming handhelds manufactured by OEMs like ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

Although this Xbox-branded handheld is not a Microsoft-made console, Microsoft is reportedly gearing up to release its own in 2027, coinciding with the launch of its next-gen Xbox. Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming boss, hinted that a first-party Xbox handheld is still several years away. Meanwhile, the successor to the Xbox Series X is reportedly in full production and set to debut in two years, aligning with Xbox president Sarah Bond's assertion that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," aiming for the biggest technological leap in a generation.

Amidst this flurry of hardware development, Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, suggested a future where gaming consoles play a less central role. Yet, major industry players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to push forward. Nintendo is set to showcase its highly anticipated Switch 2 in a Nintendo Direct on April 2, where fans expect to learn about the new features, release date, and pre-order details.