ASUS, a prominent gaming hardware company, has recently teased what could be an Xbox-branded handheld device. The ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) X/Twitter account shared an intriguing teaser that features its "little robot friend cooking something up," giving a sneak peek at both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and a handheld system.

Last month, IGN shed light on Microsoft's video game hardware ambitions, which include plans for a full next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025.

The teaser from ASUS offers a clear view of the handheld's buttons, which are configured in the Xbox style (Y, B, A, and X), distinct from PlayStation's triangle, circle, cross, and square, or Nintendo's X, A, B, and Y. The device also features a D-pad, two thumbsticks, and four smaller additional buttons, though these are not easily discernible in the teaser.

Adding to the intrigue, the official Xbox account acknowledged the teaser with a playful wide-eyed gif, hinting at an upcoming reveal. The accompanying tweet from Xbox can be seen below:

pic.twitter.com/ONZpeEmNka

— Xbox (@Xbox) March 31, 2025

While no specific reveal date or launch window has been announced, the monitor in the teaser highlights "Marathon stamina, more capacity, faster speeds," and a "fresh look!" These phrases give us a hint about the potential unique selling points of the handheld.

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 created by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). ASUS, alongside Lenovo and Razer, falls into this category of existing PC gaming OEMs.

Although the Xbox-branded gaming handheld teased by ASUS is not a direct Microsoft console, the company is reportedly preparing to launch its own in 2027, possibly alongside its next-gen Xbox. Phil Spencer, Microsoft's gaming chief, has 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 expected to be released in two years. This aligns with Xbox president Sarah Bond's recent statement that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware, aiming to deliver the largest technological leap in a generation.

The future of gaming consoles has been a topic of much speculation. Netflix's President of Games, Alain Tascan, recently expressed expectations of a future generation that relies less on gaming consoles, even as major players like Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo continue to advance with new hardware. Nintendo's eagerly awaited Switch 2 is set to be showcased in a Nintendo Direct on April 2. Fans are eager to learn more about what features the Switch 2 brings to the table, its release date, and how pre-orders will be managed.