Asus ROG Ally 2 and Xbox Handheld: Major Rumors Emerge
Portable gamers, get ready, because the rumour mill is spinning something seriously big with some seriously tantalizing hearsay. It appears we might be in for a two-for-one of hand-held heaven with potential first looks at the Asus ROG Ally 2 and what could be an Xbox-branded hand-held console, codenamed Project Kennan.
The Source of the Hubbub: Certifications and Filings
Well, it started with eagle-eyed people spotting certifications in Indonesia for brand new Asus handhelds. We're talking about two different model numbers here: RC73XA and RC73YA. This then turned into even more fascinating finds, tracing these models back to filings with the United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) – and yes, there were photos.
Two Devices, Two Flavors
From the leaked images, it seems we’re looking at two different devices. One, a sleek white model, is being pegged as the successor to the popular Asus ROG Ally – let's call it the ROG Ally 2 for now. The other, a black version, intriguingly sports what looks like an Xbox button. It is speculated this could be the much-talked-about Xbox handheld made in collaboration with Asus.
But photos are one thing; what then of the power under the bonnet. Some specs on the back of these devices have spilled a little cat from the bag. The RC73YA (presumably the Xbox-branded one) might be packing an AMD "AERITH Plus" chip – a 4-core CPU – with 16GB of RAM and a maximum of 20 watts of power draw. The RC73XA, which we assume is the ROG Ally 2, is apparently looking for some more horsepower. Rumor has it for an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor (an 8-core monster), huge 32GB of RAM, and up to 35 watts of power consumption.
The Xbox Connection and Future Plans
The idea of an Xbox portable is nothing new. Rumor has been going around for quite some time of Microsoft partnering with Asus. Even Asus themselves dropped a hint at "cooking" something new, and Xbox's social media added with a rather telling meme. It seems that this Xbox portable made by Asus could be a lead-up to Microsoft's bigger handheld plans. Rumors suggest a specialized, Microsoft-engineered Xbox handheld potentially arriving around 2027, perhaps in conjunction with the next-gen Xbox console, and maybe even with direct-to-cloud gaming.
Jason Ronald, a big name from Xbox Gaming Devices, even spoke during CES earlier this year about the goal for a future Xbox handheld being to combine the best of console (Xbox) and PC (Windows) for the ultimate player experience. Action-packed times.
Details on the ROG Ally 2 Itself
Asus has done this before, naturally, with the original ROG Ally in 2023 and the ROG Ally X in 2024. So an ROG Ally 2 would be the natural follow-up. There was even a teaser video that came out on April 1st, 2025 (yes, April Fool's Day, but the original Ally was also launched on April 1st). This teaser tantalized with longer battery life, more storage, better performance, and new looks for the next gadget.
The latest sighting of the ROG Ally 2 on Indonesian certification websites only adds fuel to the optimism that its launch isn't far away, at least in that country.
Speculative ROG Ally 2 Treats (According to Rumors):
- Processor Power: It's rumored to support the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which features the newest Zen 5 architecture.
- Memory Boost: We could see up to 64GB of RAM for super-fast multitasking and gaming.
- Storage Galore: Rumor has it that it will feature 1TB to 2TB options – there's more than enough space for a gigantic game library.
- Screen Upgrade: Expect a screen size of around 7.4 to 8 inches, likely carrying over the 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support. An OLED panel is still perhaps a dream rather than a reality, though.
- Battery Life: 99WHr or 80WHr battery options might be on the cards.
- Fresh Look: A fresh, more ergonomic shell in new black and white color schemes seems likely.
Launch and Availability
This remains the million-dollar question. Asus isn't talking about official launch dates. That being said, if we look back at history, the original ROG Ally launched in April and came out in June. So, a June 2025 launch for the ROG Ally 2 doesn't seem too far-fetched. And regarding the Xbox-branded handheld, its release window is even more unclear.
One thing is certain, though: portable gaming is just about to get darned interesting. With more powerful processors, better displays, and quite possibly even new players like Microsoft (with Asus) entering the ring, gamers are going to be treated.
