ROG Ally 2 Leak Reveals Xbox-Branded Handheld: ASUS and Microsoft Collaboration Surfaces Via FCC
Entry information
Published on: May 07, 2025
Description
ASUS and Microsoft’s highly anticipated handheld gaming collaboration has surfaced ahead of its official announcement, as the ROG Ally 2 breaks cover through new FCC filings.
The documentation, brought to light by VideoCardz and corroborated by Eurogamer, confirms the existence of both a standard white variant and a distinct black model featuring a dedicated Xbox button.
These images, originating from the United States Federal Communications Commission’s hardware certification process, offer the most credible insight yet into the next generation of ASUS’s handheld lineup.
This newly revealed device is widely believed to be ‘Project Kennan’, marking an important partnership between ASUS and Microsoft aimed at delivering a high-performance, Xbox-branded PC handheld.
The ROG Ally 2 is positioned as the evolutionary successor to ASUS’s original ROG Ally, itself a notable entry in the growing PC handheld market dominated by devices such as Valve’s Steam Deck and to some degree, the Nintendo Switch.
Visually, the ROG Ally 2 adopts familiar controls, including dual analog sticks, the standard suite of Xbox face buttons, and a d-pad, mirroring the established design language of Xbox hardware.
Notably, the black model features a prominent Xbox button adjacent to the left analog stick, clearly setting it apart as an official collaborative product.
While some early photos reveal tell-tale fingerprints and a somewhat industrial aesthetic, reflecting a functional rather than luxurious approach, the ROG Ally 2 maintains ASUS’s reputation for robust hardware engineering.
The device’s design remains faithful to handheld gaming conventions but introduces sharp lines and unique angles, likely contributing to the discussion around its looks in comparison to more streamlined, consumer-oriented hardware like the rumored Nintendo Switch 2.
As observed in the leaked photos, the ROG Ally 2’s exterior includes an array of novel speaker designs and angular, futuristic buttons—features that may divide opinion among enthusiasts and critics alike.
Although direct competition with the Nintendo Switch ecosystem seems unlikely, given the ROG Ally 2’s positioning as a Windows-based PC gaming device, the innovation signals Microsoft’s ongoing interest in exploring the portable gaming segment.
With both versions now effectively confirmed via the FCC, industry watchers anticipate a formal reveal and further technical details in the coming months.
As handheld gaming continues to expand and diversify, the ROG Ally 2’s emergence underscores the dynamic partnerships shaping the next wave of portable experiences.
ASUS’s latest innovation, in collaboration with Microsoft, is set to join the ranks of the most closely watched gaming hardware launches of 2024.
