Microsoft and ASUS have officially unveiled two new handheld gaming devices – the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. The announcement came during the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8, 2025, confirming Microsoft’s long-rumored entry into the growing handheld PC gaming market.
Both devices will run on Windows 11 with a special “Xbox full-screen experience” that boots directly into a controller-friendly interface. This streamlined version of Windows reduces background processes to improve gaming performance.
What’s Inside These Devices?
The base model ROG Xbox Ally features an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 60Wh battery. The premium ROG Xbox Ally X comes with the more powerful AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of faster RAM, a larger 1TB SSD, and an 80Wh battery for extended playtime.
Both handhelds sport a 7-inch 1080p IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium technology to reduce screen tearing. The screens are protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus with anti-reflection coating.
The design takes inspiration from Xbox controllers, with contoured handgrips for comfort during long gaming sessions. The Ally X model also includes impulse triggers for improved haptic feedback.
What Can You Play?
These devices aim to bring together “the power of Xbox and the freedom of Windows,” according to Xbox President Sarah Bond. Players will be able to access games from Xbox, Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Battle.net, and Ubisoft Connect – all from one portable device.
Microsoft is also creating a verification program to help players identify which games are optimized for these handhelds, similar to Valve’s “Steam Deck verified” system.
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How Does It Perform?
Early hands-on testing with the Ally X showed promising results. Gaming journalist Michael Higham reported that Gears of War: Reloaded ran at 1080p with high settings while maintaining a smooth 60 frames per second on the device.
The Xbox Ally X addresses common issues with Windows-based handhelds through its optimized operating system. Microsoft claims the full-screen experience uses about 2GB less memory than standard Windows, leaving more resources for games. The company also states that the device draws only one-third of the idle power when in sleep mode compared to typical Windows devices.
When Can You Buy One?
Both the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are scheduled for release during the Holiday 2025 season. While exact pricing hasn’t been announced, industry analysts expect these devices to be positioned as premium products.
The original ROG Ally launched at around $600-$800, so these new Xbox-branded versions will likely fall into a similar or higher price range, making them potentially the most expensive hardware in the Xbox family.
What Does This Mean for Handheld Gaming?
Microsoft’s entry into this space comes as Windows PC handhelds sold 1.2 million units by the end of 2024. Rather than competing directly with Nintendo, Microsoft is positioning these devices as alternatives to the Steam Deck and other Windows-based handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go and MSI Claw.
The devices represent Microsoft’s strategy to bridge Xbox and PC gaming in a portable format, with Shawn Yen of ASUS explaining that “Ally” stands for “all your games,” emphasizing the comprehensive game compatibility these handhelds offer.
For those who already own the current ROG Ally, Microsoft plans to bring the new Xbox full-screen experience to existing devices, with similar interfaces rolling out to other Windows handhelds starting next year.
