ROG Xbox Ally sales numbers never came close to matching the Steam Deck, analyst says
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The Steam Deck remains one of the most popular gaming handhelds on the market, offering hardware that delivers a solid gaming experience on the go. Since its launch in 2022, several competing handhelds have entered the space. Despite the growing competition, however, the Steam Deck continues to dominate (despite the lack of a Steam Deck 2 so far). Recent sales data even suggests that Xbox’s much-hyped handheld hasn’t significantly impacted Valve’s momentum.
One of the newest entries in the handheld market is the ROG Xbox Ally. Ahead of its release, excitement was high, as it marked Xbox’s first step into the handheld market. In a recent interview on the Xbox Expansion Pass podcast, Mat Piscatella from Circana revealed that the ROG Xbox Ally had an impressive launch month. Sales were strong early on, but they dropped sharply after the initial surge.
According to Piscatella, the ROG Xbox Ally’s numbers never came close to matching the Steam Deck. Valve’s handheld provides a strong balance between price, performance, and features, which is a major reason it continues to outsell its rivals.
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Could ROG and Xbox narrow the gap?
Everything said, the situation could shift temporarily. Piscatella noted that the ROG Xbox Ally might narrow the gap now that the Steam Deck is out of stock. Valve recently confirmed that the ongoing memory crisis has affected production, leaving the Steam Deck unavailable in most regions. There’s no clear timeline for restocking, meaning buyers who want a handheld right now may have to consider alternatives.
The memory crisis has also impacted Valve’s broader hardware plans. The company has delayed its upcoming Steam Machine, which was originally scheduled to ship in early 2026. Valve also hasn’t shared the pricing yet, but it has stated that the device is now expected to launch in the first half of 2026, a more reserved release window. However, considering the memory crisis shows no big signs of improving, who knows when it will be available?
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