Project Kennan: Microsoft and ASUS Team Up on Windows 11 Handheld to Rival Switch 2 and Steam Deck

While the world eagerly awaits the Nintendo Switch 2, a new challenger is quietly assembling in the wings-and it wears the combined colors of Microsoft and ASUS. Leaks and industry whispers suggest “Project Kennan” could be the next big player in handheld gaming, and if the rumors hold true, 2025 might see a portable PC console war like never before.

Project Kennan: Microsoft and ASUS Plot a Portable Power Play

Early leaks point to a Windows 11-based handheld built by ASUS-the minds behind the ROG Ally-bearing clear Xbox branding and designed to run not only Game Pass but also Epic Games Store, Steam, and more. If the partnership comes to fruition, Nintendo and Valve will have far more than just each other to worry about.

Windows 11 handheld console co-developed by Microsoft and ASUS under the codename “Project Kennan.”
Leaked FCC images suggest Xbox-inspired controls and design.
Supports Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store—play almost any PC title on the go.
An official reveal is rumored for May 20, 2025, with launch timing and pricing still under wraps.

Key Takeaways

Microsoft and ASUS are collaborating on “Project Kennan,” a Windows 11 handheld designed to compete with Switch 2 and Steam Deck.
Leaked FCC images reveal Xbox branding and support for major PC game platforms.
The device is expected to use AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme hardware.
An official announcement could come as soon as May 20, 2025.

Feature	Specification
Publisher	Microsoft/ASUS
Release Date	TBA (Reveal May 20, 2025 rumored)
Genres	Handheld PC Console, Hardware
Platforms	Windows 11

The race for handheld supremacy just got a new contender, and it’s packing serious technology. According to leaks reported by Windows Central and photos surfacing from the FCC, Project Kennan is a portable PC console built in partnership between Microsoft and ASUS. The design hints are strong: Xbox button placement, signature grips, and a chassis reminiscent of the powerful ROG Ally series. This isn’t just a repackaged PC—it’s an all-out assault on the current handheld status quo.

Close-up of a console controller with Xbox-styled buttons and a modern, portable design — Early leaks show off Xbox-inspired controls, giving Project Kennan a familiar feel for console fans.

Where the Steam Deck and the original ROG Ally have made waves by letting players bring their PC libraries on the go, Project Kennan promises to go bigger. Microsoft’s rumored approach isn’t just about Game Pass access (though that alone is a massive win)—it’s about opening a single device to Game Pass, Epic, Steam, and the Microsoft Store. That’s a staggering amount of gaming flexibility in your backpack.

Handheld gaming device showcasing multiple game storefronts on its screen — Imagine cycling through your Game Pass, Steam, and Epic libraries—all on one device.

Performance-wise, details are still under wraps, but leaks suggest AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme will be the engine under the hood, matching or exceeding what’s expected from Valve’s next Steam Deck refresh. While full Xbox console game compatibility isn’t yet confirmed—reportedly planned for a later Microsoft handheld—Project Kennan could be a powerhouse for PC gaming on the move.

The leaked design leans heavily into Xbox’s recognizable aesthetics.

Of course, the biggest questions remain: can Microsoft and ASUS price this tech-obsessed handheld competitively given rumored import costs? Will Windows 11 deliver the seamless handheld experience gamers crave, or will it stumble on the transition from desktop to palm? We’ll likely know more as May 20 approaches—and the handheld wars heat up for real.

TL;DR: “Project Kennan” is Microsoft and ASUS’s answer to the Switch 2 and Steam Deck: a Windows 11 portable PC console with Xbox branding, AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme power, and support for Game Pass, Steam, and Epic Games Store libraries. An official reveal is rumored for May 20, 2025—watch this space.

Source: Microsoft/ASUS via GamesPress