Nintendo, one of the three big names in the gaming console market, fired the handheld opening salvo way back in 2017. Its rivals, however, largely stayed on the sidelines, watching as the Nintendo Switch dominated the conversation around portable gaming for years. This hesitation wasn’t particularly surprising in the case of PlayStation, a brand whose entire strategy these days seems laser-focused on home consoles and blockbuster exclusives. Xbox, on the other hand, has always occupied an interesting intersection between console and PC gaming, with deep roots in both ecosystems. Given that background, the arrival of an Xbox-branded handheld always felt more like a question of “when” rather than “if.”
Of course, the market for Windows-powered handheld PCs has exploded in recent years, with a slew of devices from various brands trying to carve out their own niche. Yet, for all their power and versatility, none of them could truly be called an “Xbox handheld”, at least, not until now. For months, the rumor mill churned with whispers of a portable Xbox device, and now, those rumors have finally crystallized into reality with the announcement of the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally. This is the first-ever handheld to bear the Xbox name, and while it’s an exciting development, it might not be the revolutionary leap that die-hard Xbox fans were hoping for.
At first glance, the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is essentially a carefully tailored version of ASUS’s own ROG Ally and ROG Ally X. The core DNA is virtually unchanged, particularly when it comes to the main specs. What sets the new Xbox models apart is the silicon inside: the ROG Xbox Ally X runs on an upgraded AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, while the standard ROG Xbox Ally uses the Ryzen Z2 A, both promising not just improved performance but also greater energy efficiency. Aside from these CPUs, the rest of the hardware remains largely consistent with the previous ROG Ally models, including the 7-inch 1080p 120Hz display and substantial battery options.
But it’s the physical design that truly differentiates the Xbox Ally from its siblings. The device leans heavily into the language of the Xbox brand, sporting a silhouette that unmistakably echoes the look and feel of an Xbox controller. The pronounced, contoured grips, complete with textured surfaces, are immediately familiar to anyone who’s spent time with recent Xbox gamepads. For the ROG Xbox Ally X, ASUS has even included impulse triggers, adding a new layer of tactile feedback and immersion for games that support nuanced rumble effects.
Another standout difference lies in the software experience. Instead of booting to a generic Windows 11 desktop, the ROG Xbox Ally greets users with a full-screen Xbox interface, making the system feel more like a true console than a handheld PC. This approach streamlines navigation and quick access to Xbox Game Pass, cloud gaming, and the broader Xbox ecosystem. ROG’s Armoury Crate software is still present, providing access to performance tweaks and game libraries, though the degree to which users can revert to a traditional Windows environment remains to be seen. Importantly, the device isn’t locked down to Xbox games alone; players can still install and enjoy titles from Steam, Epic Games Store, and other PC platforms, preserving the open nature of the Windows handheld experience.
The advantage of building upon the proven ROG platform is that many accessories and peripherals, like the upcoming 2025 XG Mobile external GPU, will remain compatible with the Xbox Ally lineup, except where changes to the chassis might affect fit. This means the new handheld should slot neatly into existing gaming setups. The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is slated for release during the 2025 holiday season in select markets, with pricing details yet to be revealed.
