It appears that photos of ASUS' Xbox-branded handheld device, codenamed Project Kennan, have surfaced online. As initially reported by 91mobiles and noted by Eurogamer, two images of the ASUS ROG Ally 2—one in white and one in black—have leaked, originating from the Indonesian certification office and linked to a now-deleted listing on the U.S.'s FCC website.
Both versions feature buttons configured in the Xbox style (Y, B, A, and X), distinguishing them from PlayStation's triangle, circle, cross, and square, or Nintendo's X, A, B, and Y. The black variant's photo is particularly intriguing as it clearly shows an Xbox button next to the thumbstick, albeit without the defined 'X'. At this stage, the tech specs are somewhat fragmented, leaving uncertainty about their performance and any potential differences between the black and white models.
According to Windows Central's Jez Corden, these devices are currently under open testing at Microsoft HQ, with a possible reveal slated for 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 teased a brief glimpse of both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and handheld system. The official Xbox account responded with a playful wide-eyed gif, hinting at an upcoming formal announcement.
This development aligns with an earlier report from IGN about Microsoft's gaming hardware ambitions, which include a next-gen Xbox slated for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld potentially launching later in 2025.
While the ASUS ROG Ally 2 isn't a Microsoft-manufactured console, Microsoft is reportedly planning to release its own first-party Xbox handheld in the future. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer has indicated that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away.
Furthermore, the successor to the Xbox Series X is reportedly in full production and expected to launch in two years, consistent with Xbox president Sarah Bond's recent statements about Microsoft moving "full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," with a focus on delivering the most significant technological leap in a generation.
