Time Magazine has been publishing its 2025 TIME100 Next list, and it’s not just focused on (human) rising stars, but also gives a nod to the best technology of the year. It’s almost time for the new Xbox ROG Ally handhelds to hit the market, and the flagship model has received a mention on Time’s Best Inventions of 2025 list.

The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X have been available for pre-order since September 25, and the full release date is around the corner on October 16. AMD’s Ryzen Z2 series of processors is at the heart of these new models, providing an upgrade to the existing Z1 ROG Ally line-up. Even still, the older models are still enjoying some of the same updates as the new Xbox-branded SKUs.

ROG Xbox Ally X awarded by Time Magazine

As part of its list of awards under the ‘Entertainment and gaming’ section, the new Xbox ROG Ally X joins another handheld that was released this year – the Nintendo Switch 2. The non-X model, fitted with the cut-down Z2 A processor, is not featured in the list.

“It would have been easy mode for us to make another walled garden, but [players] wanted to be able to play their games regardless of where they came from.”

Jason Beaumont, vice president of Xbox experiences at Microsoft

Too early to make the call?

This is obviously some early hype for the Xbox ROG Ally X, and while it has already been previewed at Gamescom, we’re keen to see more in-depth reviews and user reaction once it is fully released. There have already been reports of gamers getting their hands on the device early in some regions (France in particular), so that’s the best we have so far.

Xbox outlined “three big features” that make the new Xbox models worth buying. This includes the Xbox full screen experience, which essentially divides the device into two modes: Desktop and Gaming, much like how Valve does it on the Steam Deck with SteamOS. This helps optimize the system by deferring Windows processes you don’t need while gaming.

Xbox full screen experience will be exclusive to the Xbox ROG Ally handhelds for at least the remainder of this year, but it will eventually come to other Windows handhelds – no specific date has been given. An early Windows Insider build has already leaked this ‘Xbox Mode’, and you can install it on any other Windows device. So, if you don’t mind waiting, or can get yourself on the Insider program, then you can buff your older device with some of the same features as the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.