Microsoft and ASUS have officially announced that the highly anticipated ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds will hit store shelves on October 16, 2025, just in time for the holiday season. Unveiled at the Xbox Games Showcase in June 2025, these devices promise to redefine portable gaming by blending the power of Xbox with the flexibility of Windows 11, offering gamers seamless access to their favorite titles from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, Steam, and other PC storefronts. With innovative features, robust hardware, and a new Handheld Compatibility Program, the ROG Xbox Ally lineup is poised to elevate the handheld gaming experience. Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting launch.
The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are the result of a strategic partnership between ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) and Microsoft’s Xbox division. Building on ASUS’s expertise in high-performance gaming hardware and Microsoft’s extensive gaming ecosystem, these handhelds aim to deliver a console-like experience with the openness of a Windows PC. Designed for gamers who want to play anywhere, anytime, the devices support native gameplay, cloud streaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming (with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription), and remote play from an Xbox console.
The handhelds boot directly into an optimized Xbox full-screen interface, minimizing background processes to free up system resources for gaming. This results in more available RAM, higher frame rates, and a more immersive experience. The integration of ASUS’s Armoury Crate with the Xbox Game Bar provides streamlined access to system stats, gameplay capture, and advanced input controls, making navigation intuitive with a controller.
The ROG Xbox Ally lineup consists of two models: the standard ROG Xbox Ally and the premium ROG Xbox Ally X, each catering to different types of gamers.
ROG Xbox Ally (Base Model)
Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 A (4 Zen 2 cores, 8 threads, 8 RDNA 2 GPU cores)
Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 RAM
Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
Battery: 60Wh
Display: 7-inch 1080p IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, 500 nits
Weight: 670g
Triggers: Hall Effect analog triggers
Design: White chassis with contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers
Included: ROG Xbox Ally X 65W charger Stand
The base model is designed for casual and avid gamers alike, balancing performance and battery life to deliver smooth gameplay at 720p. It’s an accessible entry point for those looking to enjoy Xbox Play Anywhere titles, Game Pass games, and PC games from various storefronts.
ROG Xbox Ally X (Premium Model)
Processor: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (with NPU for AI features)
Memory: 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 RAM
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
Battery: 80Wh
Display: 7-inch 1080p IPS LCD, 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, 500 nits
Weight: 715g
Triggers: Xbox-style impulse triggers for enhanced haptic feedback
Design: Black chassis with improved cooling via ROG’s Zero Gravity thermal system
- Included: ROG Xbox Ally X 65W charger Stand
The Ally X is tailored for demanding players who want top-tier performance and higher visual settings at 1080p. Its larger battery, more powerful processor, and increased RAM make it ideal for AAA titles like Gears of War: Reloaded, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and Hogwarts Legacy. The inclusion of an NPU also enables future AI-powered features, such as Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) and gameplay highlight reels, expected in early 2026.
Both models feature a 7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate and variable refresh rate (VRR) support via FreeSync Premium, ensuring smooth visuals even in fast-paced games. The devices also include customizable lighting rings around full-sized analog sticks, a dedicated Xbox button, and additional buttons for View, Menu, Library, and Command Center functions.
The ROG Xbox Ally handhelds introduce several cutting-edge features to enhance gameplay:
Advanced Shader Delivery: Preloads game shaders during downloads, enabling select titles to launch up to 10 times faster, run smoother, and consume less battery on first play.
Xbox Full-Screen Experience: A console-inspired interface that prioritizes gaming, reducing Windows 11’s resource usage for better performance.
AI-Powered Features (Ally X, Early 2026):
Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR): Uses the NPU to upscale lower-resolution games for high-quality visuals and smooth frame rates without developer intervention.
Highlight Reels: AI-generated clips of epic gameplay moments, ready to share on social platforms.
ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller: A new accessory with a 1000Hz polling rate, anti-drift TMR joysticks, and dual-mode triggers, launching this holiday season.
Cooling and Ergonomics: The Ally X features ROG’s Zero Gravity thermal system for distraction-free performance, while both models have contoured grips for all-day comfort.
The handhelds also support Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing players to carry progress, achievements, and game saves across Xbox consoles, PCs, and the Ally devices for over 1,000 supported titles.
On October 16, the Xbox Ally handhelds will be available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, China (Xbox Ally X only), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam. Availability will follow for other markets where ROG Ally series products are sold today, including Brazil, India, Indonesia and Thailand. In China, the Xbox Ally will launch early next year. . Xbox confirmed the release date, official pricing has not yet been revealed. However, listings at Best Buy suggest the base ROG Xbox Ally could be priced at around $549.99, with the higher-end Ally X model expected at $899.99. Pre-orders are not yet open, though listings for accessories such as a charging dock and protective case are already live.
Source : Microsoft