Gaming hardware company ASUS has recently teased what could potentially be the much-talked-about Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers X/Twitter account released a teaser featuring its "little robot friend cooking something up," giving fans a sneak peek at both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and a handheld system.
Last month, IGN shed light on Microsoft’s plans for future gaming hardware, which include a next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld expected to hit the market later in 2025.
The teaser from ASUS not only confirms the Xbox branding but also showcases the handheld's button layout, clearly featuring Xbox-specific buttons (Y, B, A, and X) rather than those found on PlayStation or Nintendo devices. The device also includes a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four smaller buttons, though these are somewhat obscured in the teaser.
Adding to the excitement, the official Xbox account responded to the teaser with a playful wide-eyed gif, hinting at an upcoming reveal.
pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka
— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025
While details on the launch remain scarce, the monitor in the ASUS teaser suggests the handheld will boast "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds," and a "fresh look!" These hints give us a glimpse into the potential unique selling points of the device.
In January, Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of ‘Next Generation,’ shared with The Verge that the company aims to blend Xbox and Windows experiences for PC gaming handhelds manufactured by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) such as ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.
### Xbox Games Series Tier ListXbox Games Series Tier List
Although this Xbox-branded gaming handheld isn't a direct Microsoft product, the tech giant is reportedly gearing up to launch its own console in 2027, concurrent with the next-gen Xbox. Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming chief, has hinted that a first-party Xbox handheld is still several years away.
The successor to the Xbox Series X is said to be "fully" in production and set for release in two years, aligning with Xbox president Sarah Bond's recent statement that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," with a focus on making the largest technological leap in a generation.
The future of gaming consoles remains a hot topic, with Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, predicting a future generation less reliant on traditional gaming consoles, despite ongoing developments by major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo. Nintendo is set to reveal more about its highly anticipated Switch 2 during a Nintendo Direct on April 2, where fans are eager to learn about the device's new features, release date, and pre-order details.
