Microsoft and Asus are releasing two handheld gaming devices, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, during holiday 2025. These Windows 11-based devices aim to combine the Xbox experience with PC gaming freedom, allowing access to games from Xbox, Battle.net, and other storefronts via an aggregated library. Both feature a 7-inch FHD 120 Hz display and AMD Ryzen processors. The Ally X offers enhanced specifications, including the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB RAM, 1TB SSD, and a larger battery compared to the Ally’s Z2 A processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, targeting different performance needs.
Microsoft has announced the forthcoming release of the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, two new handheld gaming devices. These devices have been developed through a collaborative effort with Asus and are designed to integrate the functionalities associated with the Xbox platform with the operational flexibility commonly associated with the Windows operating system.
(Source: Microsoft)
Both the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X are scheduled for release during the holiday season of 2025. Their initial launch will occur in a selection of markets, with plans to expand availability to other regions at a later time. Specific details regarding pre-order processes, pricing structures, available accessories, and other related information are anticipated to be disclosed in the near future.
The development philosophy at Xbox is centered on the player’s experience. This principle has guided years of effort aimed at re-evaluating and improving the methods by which players can engage with their preferred games. Initiatives such as Xbox Play Anywhere, Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming (currently in beta), and Remote Play have been part of this endeavor to allow gaming experiences to be more accessible, regardless of the player’s location. The objective is to enable players to continue their gaming activities seamlessly, whether they are at their primary residence or traveling.
Asus is described as sharing this dedication to enhancing the player experience. Recognized for its contributions to advancing handheld gaming technology, Asus is similarly motivated by a commitment to innovation that results in high-performance gaming experiences designed with the player as the central focus.
(Source: Microsoft)
Through this partnership, the two companies have pooled their respective resources and technical knowledge to create the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. These handheld devices are engineered to provide users with a streamlined way to access their game libraries, which can include titles from the Xbox ecosystem, Battle.net, and other prominent personal computer game distribution platforms, all consolidated onto a single piece of hardware.
During the upcoming holiday season, through this collaboration with Asus, players will have an additional method to engage with their games, combining the capabilities of Xbox with the adaptability offered by the Windows environment. This launch is presented as an initial step in a broader strategy.
The ROG Xbox Ally is positioned as a foundational handheld device, offering considerable utility for a range of users, from those who play games occasionally to more dedicated enthusiasts. In contrast, the ROG Xbox Ally X is characterized as a handheld device engineered for substantial performance, intended to meet the needs of players who require a high level of graphical fidelity and processing power. Both devices will allow users to play games natively on the hardware, through cloud-based streaming services, or by remotely connecting to their Xbox console situated in a different location.
Several features designed to enhance the play-anywhere experience are highlighted for both the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. These devices aim to provide an accessible gaming experience that can accompany the user. They will incorporate a number of new features, including some that are being introduced for the first time on such devices. These features encompass an immersive full-screen Xbox interface and an aggregated game library that provides access to installed games from various leading PC storefronts.
Table 1. Comparison between the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X. (Source: Microsoft)
The Windows 11 operating system has been adapted for ease of use on the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, intended to be intuitive from the initial power-on. The Game Bar feature is designed to facilitate quick navigation to the home screen, browsing of the game library, launching or exiting games, engaging in chat with friends, opening other applications, and adjusting system settings. Through the integration of Asus’ Armoury Crate software, the Game Bar will also offer streamlined control over advanced device settings and input configurations. Elements of the user interface, such as the lock screen and task switcher, have also been modified to improve navigation using a controller.
The Windows operating system underpinning these handhelds provides access to a broad range of games, offering the versatility characteristic of PC gaming. Users will be able to download games from their preferred digital storefronts, run applications like Discord for communication, watch content from streaming platforms such as Twitch, and utilize game modifications, all directly within the Xbox experience framework.
A new Xbox full-screen experience has been developed specifically for handheld gaming. When the Xbox Ally is powered on, it will boot directly into this interface. This experience includes modifications designed to reduce background system activity and defer tasks that are not essential for gameplay, thereby allocating more system resources, such as memory, to enhance game performance, leading to higher frame rates and a more engaging experience for players. These optimizations are made possible by the underlying Windows operating system.
The Xbox Ally incorporates several design elements familiar to Xbox users. A dedicated Xbox button provides access to chat, applications, and settings through an enhanced Game Bar overlay, allowing for quick transitions between running applications and games. The devices feature contoured handgrips, designed with player comfort as a priority and based on the design principles of Xbox Wireless Controllers, to suit a variety of hand sizes. Accessibility features from Xbox consoles and Windows PCs have been optimized for handheld use via the Game Bar and the Xbox app, with further enhancements planned for future updates.
Accessing games from various sources, including Xbox, prominent PC storefronts, and other platforms, is intended to be more straightforward. The aggregated gaming library within the Xbox full-screen experience will give players quick access to their games from Xbox, Game Pass (requiring a membership), Battle.net, and other major PC game stores. This feature aims to keep a player’s Xbox library, Game Pass titles, and installed games from other PC stores readily available.
Investment in Xbox Play Anywhere is also intended to make handheld gaming more seamless. With support for over 1,000 games, a single purchase allows play across Xbox console, PC, and the Xbox Ally, with progress and achievements synchronized at no extra cost. When the Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X is powered on, games are intended to be ready to play, with synchronization occurring effortlessly, whether the player was previously gaming on an Xbox console, a PC, or via cloud services. Xbox Cloud Gaming (beta) or Remote Play will allow access to the full Xbox console library from any location.
Additional collaborations and features are also planned. Roblox will be playable natively and optimized for gaming handhelds for the first time on the Xbox Ally, allowing players to engage with its diverse game offerings from launch. A new program is being developed with game developer partners to help players identify games optimized for handhelds, including the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, with more details to be shared later. New Game Pass subscribers who purchase an Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X will receive access to the service at no additional cost, providing entry to hundreds of games. Players on either device will be able to use Gaming Copilot via Game Bar, a personalized gaming assistant designed to help access games faster, improve skills, and connect with friends and communities.
The Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are presented as suitable for players who wish to have an accessible gaming experience while traveling or moving between locations. Both handhelds are powered by AMD processors engineered to deliver substantial gaming performance and immersive visual output.
The Xbox Ally is described as offering good utility for individuals looking to play their favorite games in various settings. It is equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, which aims to balance performance with power efficiency to extend battery life without compromising gameplay quality. It will include 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.
The Xbox Ally X is positioned to offer enhanced capabilities for players seeking a higher level of performance and visual settings from their games on a handheld device. It will feature the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, enabling support for emerging AI features. It will also have double the storage capacity compared to the standard Ally model, allowing more native games to be stored, and will include 24GB of high-speed RAM to accommodate more demanding games. The Xbox Ally X will also incorporate impulse triggers for a more engaging play experience. A comparison of the specifications between the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X is anticipated to be provided.
What do we think? The handheld market is heating up, led by Nintendo and followed by Steam. Now also-ran Asus has teamed up with also-ran Microsoft. The rules of the game, however, haven’t changed—it’s the games, dummy—either you have them or you don’t. No one cares what operating system or CPU you’re using. Microsoft has the games with Xbox Play Anywhere, Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming (beta), and Remote Play. Microsoft lists the screen size as 1080p, 7 inches; Steam Deck offers 7.4 inches, 1280 × 800; and Nintendo offers 7.9-inches, 1080p.
There’s a very slick video of it here.
WHAT DO YOU THINK? LIKE THIS STORY? TELL YOUR FRIENDS, TELL US.