After significant anticipation, Microsoft and ASUS have unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, new handheld gaming devices. These Windows 11-powered devices are slated for a holiday 2025 release in select markets, including the US, UK, Japan, and India, with more countries to follow. This marks Xbox’s first direct foray into the handheld market, a collaboration with ASUS designed for a wide audience, from casual gamers to hardcore enthusiasts. The devices offer native gaming, cloud streaming, and remote console play in a compact form factor.
The standard ROG Xbox Ally features an AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD, designed to provide an accessible Xbox-on-the-go experience. The ROG Xbox Ally X elevates the experience with an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD, catering to gamers seeking enhanced performance and storage for multiple AAA titles. Both handhelds will feature a new full-screen Xbox experience optimized for portable gaming with controller-friendly UI. Key features include a dedicated Xbox button, contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers, a Game Bar overlay, and integration with ASUS Armoury Crate. The interface simplifies game access by aggregating titles from various platforms, including Game Pass, Xbox, and Battle.net. Roblox will be natively available and optimized from day one. Both devices boast a 7-inch Full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus protection, along with different battery capacities: 60Wh for the Ally and 80Wh for the Ally X. Pre-orders, pricing, and accessory details are expected soon. The base Ally’s price could range from INR 60,000 to INR 65,000, and the Ally X might exceed INR 85,000, based on estimations. More details, including Indian retail availability, are anticipated in the coming months, adding a new competitor to the handheld gaming market.
