ROG Xbox Ally release date, specs, and potential price: everything we know so far
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Just before the weekend started, I wrote about how we hoped Xbox would reveal their new handheld at their Showcase. That came to fruition, but Xbox managed to one-up itself as it announced two ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X.
The new handheld introduces a new generation of hardware with an improved APU, aiming to address many of the issues the original Ally had with the Windows handheld. Even though it is an Xbox handheld, it doesn’t restrict you to its own OS and market. Instead, you do get full access to any PC storefront with a more optimized Windows 11 experience.
When deciding how to play on the device, you have a range of options, as Xbox highlights, you can play natively, via the cloud, or even remotely to an Xbox console in another room. With plenty of flexibility in gaming ability, it needs to have decent hardware inside and strong specs overall, so we’d expect it to be solid competition to Steam’s OS – which has been undermining Windows handhelds for some time now. So here’s what to expect from the Xbox ROG Ally X
ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X release window
Xbox has confirmed that the ROG Xbox Ally X is set to launch during the Holiday 2025 season. While an exact release date hasn't been announced, the timing places its arrival within the next six months. With pre-orders expected ahead of launch, more details are likely to surface in the coming months.
Xbox Ally and Ally X specs
ROG and Xbox have already provided us with the full specs of the two handhelds. You can see those below.
| ROG Xbox Ally | ROG Xbox Ally X | |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Comfort & input | Contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers deliver all-day comfort. ABXY buttons / D-pad / L & R Hall Effect analog triggers / L & R bumpers / Xbox button / View button / Menu button / Command Center button / Library button / 2x assignable back buttons / 2x full-size analog sticks / HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU | Contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers deliver all-day comfort, complete with impulse triggers for enhanced control. ABXY buttons / D-pad / L & R impulse triggers / L & R bumpers / Xbox button / View button / Menu button / Command Center button / Library button / 2x assignable back buttons / 2x full-size analog sticks / HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 | 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 2280 SSD | 1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
| Display | 7” FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz refresh rate FreeSync Premium Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection | 7” FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz refresh rate FreeSync Premium Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection |
| I/O Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0 | 1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt™ 4 compatible |
| 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC) | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0 | |
| 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC, and SDHC) | |
| 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | ||
| Network and Communication | Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 290.8*121.5*50.7mm | 290.8*121.5*50.7mm |
| 670g | 715g | |
| Battery | 60Wh | 80Wh |
| Included | ROG Xbox Ally 65W charger Stand | ROG Xbox Ally X 65W charger Stand |
The primary feature of the two is that they are based on the AMD Ryzen Z2 processors; the non-X is the Z2 A, as the X utilizes the more powerful AI Z2 Extreme. Aimed to improve battery efficiency, along with an improved performance all around, as you’d expect from an upgraded CPU.
For the RAM, it is rather fast LPDDR5X reaching up to 8GHz in speed, which does seem to imply it is going to be soldered on if it gets as fast as that. On the other hand, it doesn’t point out that the NVMe SSD on board will be upgradeable, as it already is on the standard ROG Ally.
The display is rather basic, as a 7-inch 1080p IPS panel that reaches up to 500 nits and is in a 16:9 aspect ratio. It does bring a fast 120Hz refresh rate, though, to provide that improved gaming experience.
Connectivity does come in a bit more extensively on a handheld with two Type-C ports. By default, those are 3.2 Gen 2 with power delivery, while the X model upgrades one of those to USB 4 with Thunderbolt 4 capability. Additionally, it features an SD card port and a 3.5mm audio jack. It also maintains high connectivity speeds, thanks to the WiFi 6E integration, which enables 6GHz capability.
When it comes to ergonomics, Xbox essentially extended an Xbox controller and installed a screen into it. Porting that familiar feel of gaming on Xbox, even if it might come a bit more sizable in comparison to the competition.
ROG Xbox Ally X front angled
ROG Xbox Ally X side
ROG Xbox Ally X rear
ROG Xbox Ally X front
Features
Even though it’s a Windows-based device, it has been optimized for Xbox. Running an immersive full-screen experience brings all your games to one screen while optimizing the whole gaming experience on the OS. It cuts back on the background processes, while also utilizing Game Bar for more streamlined control and combining with Armour Crate to control the device.
Since it is also a portable PC, it has all the standard features you would expect. Be it running Discord, watching videos, and modding games, it’s all available on the console. With the combination of all its environments, it also provides a cloud sync for your games to make gaming across consoles more seamless.
Potential price of the Xbox handheld
The pricing of the ROG Xbox Ally X has not yet been announced; it is expected in the coming months, but it very much can go one of two ways. If it goes for a similar pricing to the ROG Ally X currently, it could reach up to $900, as its prices have been raised recently. At the same time, the non-X original is a couple of hundred dollars less, so in a similar vein, it could be under $700 for the standard Xbox Ally.
However, Xbox could do what it does with its main consoles and lose money on them. As the CEO revealed in 2022, it loses up to $200 per console, to keep the cost of its consoles competitive and make its money on accessories and games. So we could see the same happen for the handheld, and maybe it would be more in line with Steam Deck pricing under $600.
ROG Xbox Ally reveal trailer
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