The Xbox Handheld is Real — And It’s a Game-Changer
The long-held dream of an Xbox handheld is finally a reality. At the Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft officially pulled back the curtain on not one, but two portable gaming devices: the ROG Xbox Ally and its more powerful sibling, the ROG Xbox Ally X. Built in collaboration with ASUS and scheduled for a Holiday 2025 release, these sleek new handhelds are poised to shake up the portable gaming world in a big way.
This isn’t just another gadget—it’s the start of something much bigger. A true fusion of console-style gaming, Windows versatility, and next-gen portability.
Why Now? Why ASUS?
For years, Xbox fans have asked: “Where’s our handheld?” With the popularity of devices like the Steam Deck proving there's strong demand, Microsoft took a smart approach—rather than building from scratch, they teamed up with hardware veteran ASUS.
By partnering with ASUS and tuning Windows 11 specifically for handheld use, Microsoft is doubling down on its mission to unify Xbox and PC gaming. The result? A powerful new category of device that’s both an Xbox at heart and a full-fledged PC under the hood.
Meet the Hardware: Power That Travels With You
Both the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X deliver serious horsepower in compact form. Here’s what you get:
ROG Xbox Ally – The Essentials, Supercharged
- Processor: AMD Ryzen™ Z2 A
- Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X-6400
- Storage: 512GB M.2 2280 SSD
- Built for efficient, everyday gaming with solid battery life.
ROG Xbox Ally X – No Compromises
- Processor: AMD Ryzen™ AI Z2 Extreme (8 cores / 16 threads + RDNA 3.5 graphics)
- Memory: 24GB LPDDR5X-8000
- Storage: 1TB M.2 2280 SSD
- Extras: Impulse triggers for immersive feedback
Both models feature a 7-inch 1080p IPS display, boasting a 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus with DXC Anti-Reflection coating. Connectivity is solid with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, keeping you synced, streamed, and ready to play anywhere.
But the real magic? A custom Xbox full-screen mode that boots straight into a controller-friendly UI, bypassing traditional Windows clutter for faster, smoother gaming.
Not Just Xbox — A Full Windows Gaming Experience
What sets the ROG Xbox Ally apart from other handhelds is simple: it’s a true Windows 11 PC, just in a smaller package.
That means:
- Xbox Game Pass? Absolutely.
- Steam, Epic Games, GOG, Battle.net? Yep.
- Cloud gaming, mods, and multitasking? All of it.
You're not locked into one ecosystem. This is freedom—the kind of versatility only Windows can offer.
A dedicated Xbox button provides instant access to a revamped Game Bar for quick controls, while the ergonomically designed grips—modeled after the Xbox Wireless Controller—ensure comfort during long play sessions.
A New Direction for Xbox Gaming
The ROG Xbox Ally isn’t just a new device—it’s a signal that Microsoft’s vision for Xbox is evolving. While a first-party Xbox handheld isn't on the table just yet, Microsoft is going full steam ahead by optimizing Windows 11 for portable form factors and letting partners like ASUS lead the charge in hardware innovation.
It's a smart move that keeps Microsoft flexible while giving gamers what they’ve been asking for: portable Xbox gaming that doesn’t compromise on performance or choice.
What’s Next? The Countdown to Holiday 2025
With launch day set for the 2025 holiday season, the buzz is only getting louder. Pricing and pre-orders haven’t dropped yet, but anticipation is already sky-high. For gamers who’ve long wanted the power of Xbox and the flexibility of PC in a go-anywhere form, the wait is nearly over.
The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X could very well redefine what it means to game on the go.
