Regulatory listings have provided the first glimpse of the Asus ROG Ally 2, revealing a surprising twist: two distinct versions of the upcoming gaming handheld, with one featuring a dedicated Xbox button.
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Two months ago, we reported Microsoft’s collaboration with Asus on an Xbox-branded handheld codenamed “Project Kennan.” These leaked images strongly suggest that “Project Kennan” is indeed a black variant of the otherwise nearly identical white ROG Ally 2. This Xbox version sports a clearly engraved Xbox logo on a small button located in the top-left corner. This button appears blacked out in the images of the standard ROG Ally 2, suggesting it will likely be replaced or removed in the final production model.
Listings for the ROG Ally 2 were initially discovered by 91mobiles at an Indonesian certification body. VideoCardz subsequently linked these listings to an FCC filing for the Wi-Fi module present in both devices, which included revealing photographs of the hardware itself. This FCC listing also unveiled some initial specifications. Both models appear to retain a 7-inch, 120Hz LCD display, consistent with the first-generation ROG Ally. However, the Xbox edition is listed as featuring an 8-core, 36W AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme CPU, while the white version is indicated to have a less powerful 4-core, 20W chip.
The design of the handheld has also undergone some revisions. The edges now feature more pronounced, moulded controller grips compared to the blocky, sloped design of the original ROG Ally. This design change suggests that the new models may be thicker overall but potentially offer a more comfortable and ergonomic grip for extended gaming sessions.
With the devices already undergoing certification processes, a release appears to be imminent. Asus frequently unveils new hardware at Computex, a major tech trade show that commences on May 20th. This timing is particularly interesting as it closely follows Microsoft’s own Build developer conference, which begins just one day prior on May 19th, potentially setting the stage for an official announcement from either company.
