Asus, Microsoft unveil ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds

Asus and Microsoft released two Xbox‑branded handheld gaming PCs on October 16, 2025, offering a portable route to Xbox and PC game libraries but arriving at steep prices and with some software caveats. The pair includes the ROG Xbox Ally, starting at about $599, and the higher‑end ROG Xbox Ally X, priced at roughly $999. Both models run Windows 11 with a new Xbox Full Screen Experience interface intended to make game launching and library access more console‑like on a handheld.

The two devices are closely related in design but diverge in performance and components. The Ally X is powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, pairs with up to 24 GB of RAM and a 1 TB SSD in reviewed configurations, and carries an 80 Wh battery. The standard Ally uses a lower‑power Ryzen Z2A variant, typically ships with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, and has a 60 Wh battery. Both use a 7‑inch 1080p IPS display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and Xbox‑style controls and grips.

Asus and Microsoft positioned the hardware as Windows handhelds that can run PC games from Steam, Epic and other stores, as well as Xbox titles that are compatible with Xbox Play Anywhere, Game Pass for PC, cloud streaming or remote...