Asus ROG Ally 2 and ‘Project Kennan’ Xbox Handheld Appear in US FCC Listings
Asus is gearing up to launch the much-anticipated second generation of its handheld gaming console, the ROG Ally 2, with new details about its design and specifications recently leaked online. According to a listing on the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) website, both the ROG Ally 2 and Asus’s Xbox-branded handheld, codenamed ‘Project Kennan,’ will sport 7-inch displays with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. The devices are expected to be powered by AMD processors, signaling a focus on delivering robust gaming performance in a portable form factor. Visuals from the listing hint at a fresh design direction, with the consoles resembling traditional gaming controllers to enhance ergonomics and gameplay comfort.
Further insights reveal that Asus plans to release the ROG Ally 2 in two variants, distinguished by color and hardware specs. Certification documents from Indonesia’s SDPPI website confirm the existence of a black model (RC73X1) and a white model (RC73YA). These model numbers also appear on the FCC site, confirming their authenticity. The black version features a dedicated Xbox button, though its exact functionality remains unclear. Some industry reports suggest that Microsoft is working on optimizing Windows for handheld gaming devices to improve the user experience, especially on smaller screens where traditional Windows UI can feel cumbersome.
In terms of hardware, the black variant of the ROG Ally 2 is expected to pack a powerful octa-core AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, delivering up to 36W of power, coupled with 64GB of high-speed LPDDR5x-8533 RAM. This combination is likely aimed at gamers seeking top-tier performance on the go, enabling smooth gameplay even for demanding titles. On the other hand, the white variant appears to be a more budget-friendly option, featuring a less potent AMD Aeirth Plus processor running at 20W, though details about its RAM capacity remain under wraps.
As Asus prepares to unveil the ROG Ally 2 lineup, the inclusion of a dedicated Xbox-branded handheld device highlights the company’s collaboration with Microsoft and its ambition to carve out a strong presence in the handheld gaming market. With enhanced hardware, high-refresh displays, and design tweaks aimed at improving comfort, these new devices could offer compelling choices for gamers looking for portable yet powerful consoles. Fans eagerly await an official launch date and pricing information in the coming weeks.