Microsoft, in partnership with ASUS, has officially entered the handheld gaming market with the announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally and its powerhouse version, ROG Xbox Ally X. These devices are set to launch during the 2025 holiday season in key markets including the U.S. and U.K.
What’s New?
- Two models: The base Xbox Ally runs on AMD Ryzen Z2 A, while the Ally X features the high-end AMD AI Z2 Extreme chip with a built-in NPU delivering 50 TOPs AI power—turning it into a handheld with Copilot+ laptop-like AI performance
- Unified Xbox experience: Both devices boot into a fullscreen Xbox UI tailored for handheld play, take advantage of Game Bar, and include the dedicated Xbox button for quick access
- Full Windows support: Built on Windows 11, gamers can install titles from Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net—and even PC ports of PlayStation exclusives like God of War
- Multiple play modes: Users can play downloaded games locally, stream from Xbox Cloud Gaming, or remote-play from a home console
Key Specs Comparison
| Feature | Xbox Ally | Xbox Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 A | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme + 50 TOPs NPU |
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5X | 24 GB LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 1 TB SSD |
| Display | 7″ FHD (120 Hz) IPS, Gorilla Glass | Same as base |
| Battery | 60 Wh (≈ 670 g) | 80 Wh (≈ 715 g), impulse triggers |
Why It Matters
- First Xbox handhelds: These devices mark Microsoft’s entry into the portable console space, aiming to compete directly with the Nintendo Switch 2 and Valve’s Steam Deck
- Versatile gaming: With full access to multiple digital storefronts and Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft is pushing its “Xbox Anywhere” vision .
- AI on the go: Particularly on the Ally X, integrated AI hardware elevates portable gaming with smarter performance and efficiency
- Future software support: The new Xbox UI is not exclusive to these devices—it’s expected to roll out to existing ROG Ally and other Windows handhelds next year
What’s Next
- Pre-orders & pricing: Exact pricing is still under wraps, but market speculation places retail between $599–$999 .
- Holiday availability: Launching this Christmas, availability spans initially across ~28 countries including the U.S., U.K., Europe, and select Asian markets tomshardware.com.
- Software ecosystem: Expect a launch lineup featuring Game Pass, cloud streaming, remote Xbox link, and natively installed PC game access—complete with Xbox-optimized UI and controller compatibility
Final Thoughts
With the ROG Xbox Ally series, Microsoft boldly enters the handheld gaming arena, blending AI-driven performance with a truly unified gaming ecosystem. By merging the world of Xbox consoles, PC storefronts, and cloud services in one sleek, powerful device, Microsoft is redefining what portable gaming can be.
