Key Takeaways:
- Microsoft and ASUS launched two handhelds: the ROG Ally for 720p gaming and the more powerful Ally X for up to 1080p.
- A new Xbox full-screen UI reduces background load, freeing RAM and improving battery efficiency.
- Both devices feature Xbox-style grips, a 120Hz FHD display, impulse triggers, and up to an 80Wh battery.
Think Xbox only lives on your TV? Think again.
ASUS and Microsoft have introduced a new duo of handheld consoles that reimagine gaming on the go.
Branded as the ROG Xbox Ally series, the two models offer distinct performance tiers to meet different user needs.
The entry-level version is designed around 720p gameplay, while the higher-end AllyX is tuned for smoother performance at up to 1080p.
Both systems run a modified version of Windows 11 that prioritizes gaming above all else.
This software overhaul is part of a collaborative design vision between the two companies.
In a press release, Shawn Yen, Head of the Consumer Product team at ASUS, shared:
"We wanted to take our handheld to the next level, but we could not do it alone."
"This revolutionary partnership with Microsoft allowed us to forge a brand new device with ROG muscle and the soul of Xbox."
The new Xbox interface launches directly into the Xbox PC app and gives users access to games from Steam, Epic Games Store, and Microsoft’s own storefront.
Titles from Game Pass, as well as streamed content through Xbox Cloud Gaming or Remote Play, are also integrated into this unified experience.
To streamline the experience, Microsoft removed unnecessary background tasks and reduced RAM usage, claiming a gain of around 2GB for active play.
It also significantly reduced idle power consumption, which helps extend battery life.
Features like controller-based sign-in, app switching, and quick access to settings remove the usual friction of navigating Windows on small screens.
Sees new Xbox handheld…
— Miguel Lozada (@MLozada) June 8, 2025
Looks at Switch 2… pic.twitter.com/TDzbYjTeu3
Performance segmentation opens pricing flexibility.
The two-tier model allows ASUS and Microsoft to capture both entry-level and premium portable gamers without cannibalizing interest.
Designed to Go Further
The consoles are built for extended use, with curved side grips modeled after the Xbox Wireless Controller and a 7-inch full HD display running at 120Hz.
The screen includes variable refresh rate support and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus with an anti-reflective finish.
Internally, the base model is equipped with AMD’s new Ryzen Z2 A processor, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X memory and 512GB of internal storage.
The more performance-focused Ally X carries the Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, along with 24GB of faster RAM and double the storage capacity at 1TB.
Battery life has also been upgraded.
The standard Ally includes a 60Wh unit, while the Ally X pushes this further with an 80Wh battery, the largest currently available in any handheld gaming device.
The Ally X also gains impulse triggers for enhanced feedback and a USB-C 4 port for external GPU connectivity.
Microsoft is working with developers to identify games that perform well on handhelds, with a new labeling program similar to Steam Deck’s verified badge.
Both consoles come with Xbox Game Pass access and a special version of Roblox optimized for smaller displays.
The Xbox handhelds are official:
— Chris (@QGinfinite) June 8, 2025
🎮 ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X just dropped. Specs down below.
Xbox UI on Windows. Full Xbox controller layout. Expected to release Holiday 2025. pic.twitter.com/Gh4imPnh2e
Set for release during the 2025 holiday season, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X will be sold in key global markets including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, Australia, and across the European Union.
Pricing details will be shared closer to launch.
For a look at how another major player is handling its latest hardware debut, read next about Nintendo’s Switch 2 launch and the global response to Mario Kart World.
Our Take: Will Xbox's Handheld Strategy Stick?
Microsoft’s decision to partner with ASUS rather than build its own hardware signals a shift in how it wants to compete in the portable space.
The company is focusing on software integration and experience rather than proprietary devices.
This approach may help Microsoft avoid the costly risks of hardware manufacturing while still expanding the Xbox brand.
The real question is whether users will accept a Windows-based console experience.
It must compete as a true alternative to more tightly integrated platforms like the Steam Deck or Switch 2.
