It looks like photos of Asus’ Xbox-branded handheld device, codenamed Project Kennan, have leaked online.
As first reported by 91mobiles and spotted by Eurogamer, two images of the Asus ROG Ally 2 device — one white, one black — seem to have gone public via the Indonesian certification office, which linked to (seemingly now deleted) a listing on the U.S.’s FCC website.
While both boast buttons configured for Xbox (Y, B, A, and X, rather than PlayStation’s triangle, circle, cross, and square, or Nintendo’s X, A, B, and Y), the photo of the black variant is particularly interesting as a Xbox button, albeit one without a defined ‘X’, is very clearly to the left, next to the thumbstick. The tech specs at this time are a little piecemeal, so it’s not entirely clear how they’ll run or if there’s any meaningful difference between the black and white versions.
That said, Windows Central’s Jez Corden reports the devices are “currently being tested at Microsoft HQ rather openly as we speak” and posits a reveal may be coming on or 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 shared a teaser offering a brief glimpse at both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and handheld system. The official Xbox account acknowledged the tweet with a cheeky wide-eyed gif, suggesting it was gearing up for a formal reveal.
It follows an earlier report from IGN on Microsoft’s video game hardware ambition, which allegedly includes a full next-gen Xbox for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld that may launch later in 2025.
While this particular Xbox-branded gaming handheld is not a Microsoft-made console, the company is reportedly planning to finally launch one of its own in 2027, potentially alongside its next-gen Xbox. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer recently indicated a first-party Xbox handheld is years away.
Speaking of which: the successor to the Xbox Series X is now allegedly “fully” in production and due out in two years, tying in with Xbox president Sarah Bond’s recent comments that Microsoft was “moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware, focused on delivering the biggest technological leap ever in a generation.”
Vikki Blake is a reporter, critic, columnist, and consultant. She’s also a Guardian, Spartan, Silent Hillian, Legend, and perpetually High Chaos. Find her at BlueSky.
