It appears that photos of ASUS' Xbox-branded handheld device, codenamed Project Kennan, have surfaced online. As initially reported by 91mobiles and later highlighted by Eurogamer, two images of the ASUS ROG Ally 2 — one in white and one in black — were leaked through the Indonesian certification office, which also linked to a now-deleted listing on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website.
Both versions of the device feature buttons configured in the Xbox layout (Y, B, A, and X), distinguishing them from the PlayStation's triangle, circle, cross, and square, or Nintendo's X, A, B, and Y. The photo of the black variant is particularly noteworthy, as it clearly shows an Xbox button positioned to the left of the thumbstick, although the 'X' symbol is not fully defined. At this point, the technical specifications remain somewhat fragmented, making it unclear how the devices will perform or whether there are significant differences between the black and white models.
Windows Central's Jez Corden has reported that these devices are currently undergoing open testing at Microsoft's headquarters, hinting that an official reveal could be imminent, possibly 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 glimpse of both a Republic of Gamers (ROG) Xbox controller and a handheld system. The official Xbox account responded with a playful wide-eyed gif, suggesting that a formal announcement might be on the horizon.
This development aligns with an earlier report from IGN on Microsoft's gaming hardware ambitions, which mentioned plans for a full next-generation Xbox in 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld possibly launching later in 2025.
While the ASUS ROG Ally 2 is not a Microsoft-made console, Microsoft is reportedly working on its own first-party Xbox handheld, with Phil Spencer indicating that such a device is still several years away.
Furthermore, the successor to the Xbox Series X is reportedly in full production and scheduled for release in two years, in line with comments from Xbox president Sarah Bond about Microsoft's commitment to advancing next-generation hardware, promising "the biggest technological leap ever in a generation."
