The success of the Steam Deck has undeniably shifted the perspective of many manufacturers toward handheld PC gaming devices, revealing a previously underestimated but promising market. For Microsoft, a company deeply committed to its Play Anywhere philosophy, the idea of a compact, portable gaming machine is a logical next step. After initially appearing through leaked factory photos, Microsoft has now officially introduced its first-ever handheld line: the ROG Xbox Ally.
Rather than building the hardware in-house, Microsoft has partnered with ASUS ROG (Republic of Gamers) to develop its debut handheld console. This collaboration results in two variants of the device: the Xbox Ally and the more powerful Ally X.
As expected, the ROG Xbox Ally will run on Windows 11 as its operating system. However, Microsoft hasn’t left users to navigate a desktop UI on a small screen. Instead, a custom user interface has been developed to ensure smooth, intuitive navigation optimised specifically for handheld gaming. This UI has been designed with performance in mind, aiming to minimise system overhead and maximise gaming capabilities.
In line with Microsoft’s broader ecosystem strategy, the ROG Xbox Ally will support cloud gaming in addition to running native PC titles. And thanks to its Windows foundation, users can also install and access other distribution platforms, such as Steam. A dedicated Xbox button will provide instant access to the Xbox Game Bar, enhancing the seamless Xbox experience on the go.
Interestingly, Microsoft boldly claims that the ROG Xbox Ally will be powerful enough to run over 1,000 titles from its Play Anywhere library. Players using the same Microsoft account will also be able to enjoy synchronised game data across multiple platforms.
Following the tradition of past ASUS ROG Ally releases, these two new Xbox Ally variants will come with differing hardware capabilities and, naturally, different price points. The Xbox Ally X is expected to deliver higher performance compared to its base counterpart.
ROG Xbox Ally & Ally X Specifications
| 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 for easier upgrade | 1TB M.2 2280 SSD for easier upgrade |
| 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; UHS-I with DDR200 mode) | |
| 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 |
Microsoft plans to launch the ROG Xbox Ally during the 2025 holiday season, with initial availability limited to select countries, including Singapore and Thailand in Southeast Asia. Unfortunately, pricing details for both models remain undisclosed at the time of writing.
