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UPDATE: 2025-08-13 10:51 EST BY PATRICK O’ROURKE
Hands-on stories focused on the ROG Xbox Ally line have surfaced on the internet (viaCNET), providing more information about the upcoming handhelds. Both consoles feature Microsoft’s Game Bar, which allows you to easily jump to the home screen, the library, open apps, chat with friends, and more.
I’ve found theXbox Game Barinstrumental in my recent transition to PC gaming, so it will be interesting to see how this works on a ROG Xbox Ally X. One thing worth noting is that the Game Bar still works with Asus' Armoury Crate overlay, despite it mainly performing the same functions. The handheld also boots directly into “Xbox full experience” mode, similar to the Steam Deck and Big Picture mode. This feature allocates more system resources to games and minimizes background activity.
AtXbox’s 2025 Games Showcase, Microsoft and Asus revealed two Xbox-branded ROG Ally handhelds that feature more powerful AMD processors and improved integration with the Xbox app. Both ROG Xbox Ally portables are set to release this coming holiday, but it’s unclear how much either will cost. For context, the ROG Ally X is currently priced at $800 and the ROG Ally costs $500, so it’s likely these new handhelds will be priced above their predecessors.
Beyond the internal chip power bump, the ROG Xbox Ally features a slightly different design with Xbox controller-like arms for a better grip. Since I find the ROG Ally X pretty uncomfortable and picked updbrand’s Killswitch caseto try to solve the issue, I’m interested in seeing if this change makes the ROG Xbox Ally line easier to hold.
Not much is known about either Xbox-branded ROG handheld yet beyond the jump from the ROG Ally X/ROG Ally’s AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor (the earlier version of the ROG Ally features the AMD Ryzen Z1). Below is a full list of each handheld’s specs:
ROG Xbox Ally X
ROG Xbox Ally
I wasn’t expecting the ROG Ally X to outshine the Steam Deck quite this much
Both gaming handhelds have specific strengths and weaknesses, but generally, the ROG Ally X reigns supreme.
The new handhelds are the ROG Ally 2 in everything but name
It’s unclear what benefits the deeper Xbox integration offers
The new handhelds feature a native Xbox app that allows users to access their Xbox games and cloud libraries. Since you’re able to already install the Xbox app on the ROG Ally and Ally X, it’s unclear what advantages are offered by the ROG Xbox Ally line beyond the dedicated Xbox app button on the left side.
In anXbox Wire post,Microsoft says that you can swap between various apps like Discord, Battlenet, and “other leading PC storefronts.” Again, you can already do this on the standard ROG Ally, so it’s unclear what’s different with the Xbox ROG line. Asus says that the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds feature impulse triggers, customizable buttons, upgraded battery, and “deep Xbox integration.”
In several ways, this feels like the Xbox handheld I’ve always wanted the company to make.
Rumors surrounding Microsoft’s partnership with Asus have been swirling for months, with thehandhelds being officially teased just a few weeks ago. They also nearly entirely leaked in aFederal Communications Commission filing. More recently, reports of Xbox games appearing in the Xbox PC app started to surface, prompting speculation that Microsoft is creating a unified platform to access Xbox games from both consoles and PCs, along with the integration of other platforms like Steam.
While I still have many questions about the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, specifically regarding what the Xbox integration offers beyond the current ROG Ally, the reasonable spec bump and more ergonomic design look promising. In several ways, this feels like the Xbox handheld I’ve always wanted the tech giant to make. If recent rumors are accurate, this is a good thing because Xbox’s long-rumoreddedicated handheld is reportedly on hold.
Following the Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft published an in-depth look at the creation of the upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X, which you can find above.
This $95 ROG Ally X accessory is expensive, but I promise it’s worth it
As far as protecting your ROG Ally X goes, dbrand’s Killswitch case is by far the best out there.
