Rumors within the gaming industry of an impending Xbox handheld console have taken a serious turn with the recent online leak of photos that reportedly feature an Asus-made console. The photos, from what seems to be an FCC certification, have created a buzz among gamers, the implication of which is a collaborative effort between gaming giant Xbox and technology giant Asus.
The leaked photos are of a handheld console that resembles the Asus ROG Ally but with Xbox branding. One of the designs features a massive Xbox button, implying greater integration into the Xbox ecosystem. This fits with previous rumors of Microsoft seeking to enter the realm of handheld gaming through co-op efforts.
As per leaked details, the Xbox-branded handheld called “Project Kennan” has staggering specs, as per rumors. It is said to feature an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, an 8-core leviathan, and a whopping 64GB of LPDDR5X RAM. That means a device that can support extremely demanding gaming experiences on the move.
In a surprise, the leaks also present a base variant of the Asus ROG Ally 2 based on an alternative AMD chip and memory layout. Both systems should feature 7-inch displays and a 120Hz gaming refresh rate that is as silky and as beautiful.
Although information on the software and individual Xbox features remains limited, the fact alone that there would be a special Xbox button highly suggests that there would be easy access to Xbox features like Game Pass and the Xbox Game Bar. Such integration could mean a streamlined and elegant experience for Xbox gamers in a mobile product.
The release of these leaked screenshots has left everyone abuzz with excitement, looking forward to a proper launch at some point in the not-so-distant future. The combined effort of Asus, an old gaming hardware player, and Xbox, a leader in the console market, has the potential to form a giant new player in the new handheld gaming market. As the gaming community waits with bated breath for more details, these leaks are a welcome teaser of what could be a big leap forward in handheld gaming.
