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 via the Indonesian certification office, which linked to a now-deleted listing on the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website.
These images reveal that both versions feature buttons configured for Xbox, using the familiar Y, B, A, and X layout, as opposed to PlayStation's triangle, circle, cross, and square, or Nintendo's X, A, B, and Y. The black variant's photo is particularly noteworthy, showcasing an Xbox button positioned to the left of the thumbstick, albeit without the traditional 'X' emblem. At present, the technical specifications remain fragmented, leaving 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 shared that these devices are currently undergoing open testing at Microsoft's headquarters, hinting at a potential reveal 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' official 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, indicating that a formal reveal might be on the horizon.
This leak aligns with an earlier IGN report on Microsoft's video game hardware ambitions, which include a full next-gen Xbox planned for 2027 and an Xbox-branded gaming handheld expected to launch later in 2025.
While the ASUS ROG Ally 2 is not a Microsoft-made console, Microsoft is reportedly planning to launch its own first-party Xbox handheld in the future. Microsoft gaming boss Phil Spencer recently mentioned that a first-party Xbox handheld is still years away.
Furthermore, the successor to the Xbox Series X is reportedly in full production and set to be released in two years. This timeline aligns with comments from Xbox president Sarah Bond, who stated that Microsoft is "moving full speed ahead on our next generation hardware," with a focus on delivering the most significant technological leap ever in a generation.
