Xbox-Branded Handheld Teased by ASUS

Gaming hardware giant ASUS has tantalizingly teased what could be the much-discussed Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers' X/Twitter account shared a captivating teaser featuring their "little robot friend" busy at work, giving fans a fleeting glimpse of both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and a sleek handheld system.

Last month, IGN shed light on Microsoft's ambitious video game hardware plans, hinting at 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 these rumors, as the handheld clearly displays Xbox-specific buttons (Y, B, A, and X), a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four smaller additional buttons, although the latter are somewhat obscured.

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

pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025

While concrete details like a reveal date or launch window remain elusive, the monitor in the teaser hints at the handheld's potential unique selling points: "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 crafted by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

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Although this Xbox-branded gaming handheld won't be a Microsoft-made console, the tech giant is reportedly gearing up to launch its own in 2027, coinciding with the anticipated release of the next-gen Xbox. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer recently hinted that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away.

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

Amidst these developments, speculation about the future of gaming consoles continues. Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, recently predicted a future where gaming consoles might become less central, despite major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo forging ahead with new hardware. Nintendo's eagerly awaited Switch 2 device will be unveiled in a Nintendo Direct on April 2, with fans eager to learn about its new features, release date, and pre-order details.