Whispers of an Xbox handheld have been circulating, and Asus has just added fuel to the fire with an intriguing teaser shared on its X account, formerly known as Twitter.
In the video, we see an animated robot working on a terminal, programming some enhancements for itself. Just when it’s about to execute these changes, a device resembling an ROG Ally X gaming console, along with an ROG Raikiri Pro controller, makes an appearance. Once the dust clears, the robot seems to morph into a gaming console that bears a striking resemblance to Asus’s top-tier handheld.
Things got even more intriguing when the official Xbox account chimed in with a side-eye meme. Although there’s no official word yet, this cheeky reply from Microsoft seems to nod towards Project Kennan – a collaborative effort with Asus aimed at creating a handheld console that bridges Xbox and Windows into a cohesive platform.
Even though neither company has spilled specific details, the teaser provides a glimpse of what’s to come from this anticipated Xbox handheld. Features like extended battery life, enhanced performance, increased storage, and a fresh design are all hinted at in the video.
The timing of Asus’s upload, at precisely 2 pm EST on March 31, 2025, was likely strategic to distinguish the announcement from the usual April Fool’s Day pranks. This approach echoes their reveal of the ROG Ally two years earlier, reinforcing the notion that this new console might indeed be the real deal.
It’s also worth noting that Nintendo Direct plans to unveil the much-anticipated Switch 2 on April 2. Asus’s reveal might be an attempt to grab some of the spotlight, stirring excitement among PC and handheld gaming fans. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely to shift the loyalty of Nintendo’s hardcore fanbase.
Although a new Xbox console isn’t expected until 2027, the emergence of an ‘Xbox handheld’ would be a welcome addition. Our fingers are crossed that it will support native Xbox games, rather than simply function as a Windows 11 device with an Xbox-branded interface.
