Gaming hardware giant ASUS has offered an exciting glimpse into what could be the much-talked-about Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) X/Twitter account tantalized fans with a teaser featuring its "little robot friend cooking something up." This brief snippet showcased both an ROG Xbox controller and a handheld system, sparking widespread speculation and excitement.

Last month, IGN shed light on Microsoft’s ambitious plans for video game hardware, which reportedly include a full next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025. Adding fuel to the fire, the handheld device in ASUS's teaser prominently features buttons configured in the Xbox layout (Y, B, A, and X), a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four additional smaller buttons, although these are somewhat obscured in the teaser.

Perhaps the most telling sign of an impending reveal came from the official Xbox account, which playfully acknowledged the teaser with a wide-eyed gif, hinting at an upcoming announcement.

pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025

Although details remain scarce, with no confirmed reveal date or launch window, the monitor in the teaser promises "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds," and a "fresh look!" These hints suggest the handheld's key selling points.

In January, Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s VP of ‘Next Generation,’ spoke to The Verge about the company's plan to merge Xbox and Windows experiences for PC gaming handhelds developed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like ASUS, Lenovo, and Razer.

While this Xbox-branded handheld won't be a Microsoft-made console, the tech giant is reportedly gearing up to launch its own console in 2027, possibly alongside its next-gen Xbox. Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming chief, hinted that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away.

The successor to the Xbox Series X is now reportedly in "full" production and set to release in two years, aligning with Xbox president Sarah Bond's assertion that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," aiming for the most significant technological leap ever in a generation.

Amidst these developments, the future of gaming consoles remains a hot topic. Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, recently predicted a future generation that might rely less on traditional consoles, despite major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continuing to innovate. Nintendo is set to unveil its highly anticipated Switch 2 during a Nintendo Direct on April 2, with fans eagerly awaiting details on its features, release date, and pre-order information.