Sure, we’re all waiting for Nintendo to drop every last detail about the Switch 2 during its big ‘Direct’ event on April 2, 2025. But while Nintendo keeps us in suspense, another handheld has stepped into the spotlight—and it’s shaping up to be something special.
ASUS just teased a new gaming handheld, and they did it in the most delightful way possible. This comes on the heels of speculation that Microsoft might be working with ASUS on an Xbox-branded handheld. If that’s true, we could be looking at a device that blends the best of the Steam Deck with an unmistakable Xbox flair.
The teaser—posted on X (formerly Twitter)—features ASUS’s ‘little robot friend’ working away at a large monitor, assembling something mysterious. Then, in a smoky, sci-fi-worthy moment, the robot tosses a ROG Ally and a ROG Raikiri Pro controller into a chamber. What emerges? A brand-new device, sporting a playful character winking with a grin, flanked by controls on either side.
The teaser also flashes four intriguing attributes on the screen:
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Marathon Stamina
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Faster Speeds
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More Capacity
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Fresh Look!
These scream “major upgrade” and hint at exactly what you’d want from a next-gen handheld gaming console. Curiously, the post never explicitly mentions Xbox—but given the earlier rumors and the fact that Xbox itself chimed in with a reply, the connection feels more than coincidental.
The big question now: What’s under the hood? Whether this ASUS ROG device runs an Xbox OS or something else entirely, it’s almost certain to be a powerhouse. And let’s be honest—ASUS choosing now to drop this teaser? That’s no accident. With Nintendo’s Direct right around the corner, ASUS seems keen to steal a little of the spotlight.
As for when we’ll get real details? That’s still up in the air. No official launch date has been announced, but Computex 2025—kicking off May 19—feels like a prime candidate for the big reveal.
