Xbox Enters Handheld Market with ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X: Features, Release Date, and Specs Revealed

Xbox and Asus have officially joined forces to shake up the handheld gaming market, unveiling two new portable devices: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X.

Set for launch in late 2025, these handheld PCs signify Xbox's ambitious push into the realm of portable gaming hardware, leveraging the power and versatility of Windows PC platforms while integrating the Xbox Anywhere ecosystem. The ROG Xbox Ally series stands out for its collaborative design and robust hardware.

The standard ROG Xbox Ally features 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage, powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor.

This configuration aims to deliver an efficient balance between gaming performance and power consumption, ensuring extended battery life without compromising gameplay quality. Stepping it up, the ROG Xbox Ally X is built for enthusiasts demanding higher specs.

It boasts 24GB of high-speed RAM and a 1TB SSD, making it an exceptional option for gamers who prioritize storage and multitasking performance.

The Ally X runs on the advanced AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, which promises increased frames-per-second, sharper visuals, and enhanced AI-based features, pushing portable gaming to new heights. In terms of design, both devices offer ergonomic grips inspired by the iconic Xbox controller.

The Ally X is presented in a sleek black finish, while the standard Ally sports a clean white look.

The button layouts and overall aesthetics feel instantly familiar to users accustomed to the Xbox console family, ensuring a seamless transition for longtime fans of the brand. It's important to underline, as noted by sources like Pure Xbox, that these devices function primarily as Windows PC handhelds.

While they fall under the Xbox branding, the ROG Ally and Ally X do not run Xbox console games natively.

Instead, they provide access to a wide array of native PC titles—over 1,000 games compatible via Xbox Anywhere—allowing users to play games purchased on Xbox consoles across Windows PCs and supported handhelds without additional cost. Despite this innovative approach, key details like retail pricing remain under wraps.

This announcement follows recent price adjustments across Xbox’s hardware lineup, and given the high-performance components in these new handhelds, industry watchers anticipate a premium price point likely starting around £500 or higher. While the ROG Xbox Ally devices cater to a niche segment of dedicated gamers and PC enthusiasts, their launch signals Xbox and Asus's commitment to diversifying gaming experiences across platforms.

As Microsoft has reiterated its ongoing support for platforms like the Nintendo Switch and with next-gen hardware on the horizon, only time will tell how the broader industry reacts to these developments.

We will continue to monitor how innovations in handheld gaming, sparked by collaborations like this, influence the strategies of established players such as Nintendo and beyond. By entering the handheld PC market, Xbox and Asus are expanding the boundaries of portable gaming, giving players more flexibility than ever before to enjoy their favorite games, anytime and anywhere.

Xbox Asus X Xbox Ally ROG Xbox Ally ROG Ally X AMD Xbox Anywhere Microsoft Pure Xbox