Asus Unveils Teaser for Xbox ‘Kennan’ Handheld Ahead of Switch 2 Release

Whispers about a potential Xbox handheld device have been circulating, and Asus recently added fuel to the fire by subtly hinting at something on its X (formerly Twitter) account.

In a brief, intriguing clip, we see an animated robot tweaking its own settings at a programming terminal. Just as it gets set to incorporate these adjustments, a gadget resembling an ROG Ally X gaming console, along with an ROG Raikiri Pro controller, drops in. The robot then morphs into what appears to be a gaming console that looks a lot like Asus’s current high-end portable device.

What really stirred interest was the response from the official Xbox account, which chimed in with a knowing side-eye meme. Although nothing concrete has been officially announced, this interaction is likely linked to Project Kennan — a collaborative gaming handheld effort between Microsoft and Asus, aiming to bring Xbox and Windows onto a single platform.

Both companies have remained tight-lipped about specific details, but the video hints at several exciting features for this potential Xbox handheld. Anticipated improvements include extended battery life, enhanced performance, expanded storage, and a refreshed design.

Asus unveiled this teaser on March 31, 2025, at precisely 2 pm EST, likely timing it to preempt being labeled as an April Fool’s joke amidst the technology sector’s usual flurry of pranks. Nevertheless, much like its earlier April 1st reveal of the ROG Ally, this new Xbox console seems to hold genuine promise.

Adding another layer to the intrigue, the much-awaited Switch 2 is rumored to be announced during Nintendo Direct on April 2. The timing of the Asus reveal seems like a strategic move to draw some attention away from Nintendo’s big day. While short on specifics, it’s likely sparked excitement among PC gamers and handheld gaming fans — although true Nintendo loyalists might remain unswayed.

While we probably won’t see a brand-new Xbox console before 2027, the entry of an ‘Xbox handheld’ could be a game-changer. Our biggest hope is that this device can run Xbox games natively, rather than just being a Windows 11 device with superficial Xbox branding.