Gaming hardware giant ASUS has recently teased what could be an upcoming Xbox-branded handheld device through its Republic of Gamers (ROG) X/Twitter account. The teaser, featuring a "little robot friend cooking something up," showcased a brief glimpse of an ROG Xbox controller alongside a handheld system, sparking excitement among gaming enthusiasts.
Last month, IGN shed light on Microsoft's ambitious plans for the future of gaming hardware, which reportedly include a full next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025. The teaser from ASUS aligns with these reports, as the handheld clearly features Xbox-specific buttons (Y, B, A, and X), a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four smaller additional buttons, though these were not entirely clear in the teaser.
Adding to the intrigue, the official Xbox account playfully acknowledged ASUS's tweet with a wide-eyed gif, hinting at an upcoming reveal. While no specific date for the reveal or launch has been announced, the monitor in the teaser suggests that the handheld might offer "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds," and a "fresh look," pointing to potential key selling points.
In January, Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of ‘Next Generation,’ spoke to The Verge about Microsoft's plans to merge Xbox and Windows experiences for PC gaming handhelds developed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer. This strategy highlights Microsoft's broader vision for gaming across different platforms.
While the teased 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 the next-gen Xbox. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer has hinted that a first-party Xbox handheld remains years away. Meanwhile, 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 statement about pushing "full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," aiming for the biggest technological leap in a generation.
Amidst this anticipation, the gaming industry continues to evolve, with Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, predicting a future generation that leans less on traditional gaming consoles. However, major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo are forging ahead with new hardware. Nintendo is set to unveil details about its highly anticipated Switch 2 in a Nintendo Direct on April 2, where fans are eager to learn about the device's new features, release date, and pre-order information.
