ASUS Xbox Handheld Images Leak Online

It appears that photos of ASUS' Xbox-branded handheld device, codenamed Project Kennan, have surfaced online. As first reported by 91mobiles and spotted by Eurogamer, images of the ASUS ROG Ally 2 in both white and black variants have been leaked via the Indonesian certification office, which had links to a now-deleted listing on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website.

These devices feature buttons designed in the Xbox layout, using Y, B, A, and X, distinct from the PlayStation's triangle, circle, cross, and square, or Nintendo's X, A, B, and Y. The black version is particularly notable, as it displays an Xbox button next to the thumbstick, though without the traditional 'X' symbol. Details on the tech specs remain sparse, leaving questions about performance and differences between the black and white models.

Windows Central's Jez Corden has stated that these devices are currently undergoing open testing at Microsoft's headquarters, hinting at a possible reveal around May 20.

Photos of Xbox's "Project Kennan" seem to have leaked. https://t.co/fQiMISNMJZ

— Jez (@JezCorden) May 7, 2025

Last month, ASUS Republic of Gamers' X/Twitter account teased both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and a handheld system, with the official Xbox account playfully acknowledging the teaser with a wide-eyed gif, suggesting an impending formal reveal.

This development aligns with an earlier report from IGN on Microsoft's ambitions in video game hardware, including plans for a full next-gen Xbox in 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025.

While the ASUS ROG Ally 2 is not a Microsoft-made console, Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch its own first-party Xbox handheld in the future. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer has indicated that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away.

Additionally, the successor to the Xbox Series X is reportedly in full production and expected to launch in two years, in line with Xbox president Sarah Bond's recent comments about Microsoft's focus on delivering a significant technological leap with their next generation of hardware.