A Cool New Way to Play
On June 8, 2025, at the Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft and Asus showed off two exciting new handheld gaming devices: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X. These gadgets let you play Xbox games anywhere, whether you’re on a bus or chilling at home. They’re set to come out around the 2025 holiday season, and gamers are already super excited, with tons of buzz on X about how they might compete with the Nintendo Switch 2 or Steam Deck. Let’s check out what makes these handhelds so special!
Made for Xbox Fans
The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X aren’t just updated versions of the older Asus ROG Ally—they’re built to feel like a real Xbox you can carry. They run on Windows 11, but instead of a confusing computer screen, they start up with a simple Xbox menu, just like the Xbox Series X or S. It’s easy to use and feels like a gaming console, not a PC.
The handhelds have comfy grips shaped like Xbox controllers, with blue and green rings on the joysticks and a special Xbox button to open game options. The Ally X even has fancy triggers and extra buttons you can customize, perfect for serious gamers. Both devices are designed to feel good in your hands, even if you play for hours.
What’s Inside?
- ROG Xbox Ally:
- Brain: AMD Ryzen Z2 A (fast processor)
- Memory: 16GB (handles games smoothly)
- Storage: 512GB (lots of space for games)
- Battery: 60Wh (lasts longer than the old ROG Ally)
- Screen: 7-inch, sharp 1080p, 120Hz (super smooth visuals)
- Color: White (looks like an Xbox Series S)
- Connections: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C ports, headphone jack
- ROG Xbox Ally X:
- Brain: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (even faster, with AI features)
- Memory: 24GB
- Storage: 1TB (double the space)
- Battery: 80Wh (biggest battery in any handheld)
- Screen: Same as above
- Color: Black
- Connections: Adds Thunderbolt 4 (super fast)
You can also connect these devices to a special Asus dock with a powerful RTX 5090 graphics card to play on a big TV or monitor, making them great for both travel and home gaming.
Easy and Smart Gaming
Older Windows handhelds were sometimes hard to use because Windows isn’t great for controllers or touchscreens. Microsoft and Asus fixed this with a new Xbox app that makes everything simple. It’s like having an Xbox dashboard in your hands, letting you play games from Xbox Game Pass, Steam, or even some PlayStation games on PC. If you have Game Pass Ultimate, you can stream games over the internet or play from your Xbox at home.
The devices save battery by shutting down extra apps, so you can play longer. They also have a Gaming Copilot to help with tips and a quick way to switch between games. Microsoft says these improvements will come to other handhelds, like the older ROG Ally, by late 2025, and to devices like the Lenovo Legion Go in 2026.
Powerful and Portable
The ROG Xbox Ally uses AMD’s newest processors, with the Ally X having a special chip that can do cool AI stuff, like making games smarter. Both have 7-inch screens with clear 1080p visuals and a 120Hz refresh rate, so games look smooth and colorful. The screens are tough, with Gorilla Glass, and have less glare for playing outside.
The batteries are a big deal. The Ally’s 60Wh battery is 50% bigger than the older model, and the Ally X’s 80Wh is the largest in any handheld, meaning you can play for hours without plugging in. But these devices are a bit heavy—670g for the Ally and 715g for the Ally X—compared to the Nintendo Switch 2 (534g). Some people on X love the comfy design, but others think it’s a bit bulky.
Why It Matters
Microsoft wants you to play Xbox games anywhere, and the ROG Xbox Ally is a big part of that plan. By teaming up with Asus, they’ve made a handheld that can play games from Xbox, Steam, and more, all in one place. It’s like a mini gaming computer that feels like an Xbox. Fans on X, like @Gaming_bo3gg, are thrilled about the easy controls and big game library, but some worry it might cost a lot (maybe $500-$800) and comes out at the same time as the Nintendo Switch 2.
What’s Coming?
Microsoft and Asus haven’t shared the exact price or release date yet, but the handhelds will hit stores in places like the US, UK, Japan, and Australia by the holidays. They’re working with game makers to ensure games like Hollow Knight: Silksong are ready at launch. More details about pre-orders and extras are coming soon, according to Xbox’s website.
The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are powerful, portable, and packed with features, ready to take your gaming on the road. Whether they’ll beat out other handhelds like the Steam Deck or Switch 2 is still up in the air, but they’re definitely a game-changer for Xbox fans.
Last Updated on: Monday, June 9, 2025 11:24 pm by R Sampath Kumar | Published by: R Sampath Kumar on Monday, June 9, 2025 11:24 pm | News Categories: Technology
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