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Photos reported online in May 2025 as showing an Xbox handheld codenamed “Kennan” were an early glimpse of a product that Xbox and ASUS later officially revealed as the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. The devices launched on October 16, 2025, and are now released Windows handheld gaming PCs—not standalone Xbox consoles.
What the first Xbox handheld images showed
On May 7, 2025, Windows Central reported that the US Federal Communications Commission had inadvertently published photographs of a device codenamed “Kennan,” alongside images of the ASUS ROG Ally 2. That is the reported provenance of the images; it was not an Xbox product announcement, and the leak itself did not establish final specifications.
Xbox and ASUS later confirmed the product direction and design, but their announcements do not independently verify the leak’s image history. The useful distinction is that the May photographs were reported as a leak, while the ROG Xbox Ally family became official in June.
What the leaked design became
On June 8, 2025, Xbox officially revealed the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X in collaboration with ASUS. Xbox described contoured handgrips drawing on design principles from Xbox Wireless Controllers, plus a dedicated Xbox button. Both models use Windows and are designed to open into a controller-oriented Xbox full-screen experience.
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#1 Best Overall
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Xbox said: “When you power on your Xbox Ally, you’ll boot directly into the Xbox full screen experience, a new feature optimized specifically for handheld gaming.” The interface is part of the Windows handheld experience, not a replacement for Windows or evidence that the device is a conventional Xbox console.
How the ROG Xbox Ally plays games
Xbox describes three routes to play: install and run games locally, use cloud streaming where available, or stream remotely from a player’s Xbox console. Access depends on the game, subscription, network, market and setup. Xbox’s interface also brings together access to Xbox and other PC storefronts, including Battle.net; the device remains a Windows gaming PC rather than a closed Xbox-only platform.
Rank #2
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 1TB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
ASUS’s US product page identifies the standard 2025 ROG Xbox Ally as model RC73YA, running Windows 11 with a Full HD 120Hz display. ASUS describes Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta) as requiring Game Pass membership and Remote Play as a way to play games installed on the user’s console. Those service details and availability can vary by region and change over time.
ROG Xbox Ally vs. Ally X: announced specifications
The two versions are different hardware tiers. Xbox’s August 20, 2025 launch announcement lists these specifications and features:
Rank #3
- [Superior Display] 7" IPS FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz Touchscreen Display; Wi-Fi 6E MT7922, Bluetooth 5.4, No Fingerprint
- [Powerful Performance] 2nd Gen Ryzen Z2 A 2.80GHz Processor (upto 3.8 GHz, 4MB Cache, 4-Cores, 8-Threads, ); AMD Radeon shared Integrated Graphics
- [High Speed and Multitasking] 16GB OnBoard RAM; 65W PSU, Type-C Power-In, 4-Cell 60 WHr Battery; White Color
- [Enormous Storage] 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD; 2 USB 3.2 Type-C, Micro SD Reader, Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack, Windows 11 Home-64, 1 Year Manufacturer warranty from GreatPriceTech (Professionally upgraded by GreatPriceTech)
- [Includes] Dockztorm 11-in-1 RGB Docking Station for ROG Xbox Ally/ROG Ally X/ROG Ally, it combines 10 physical ports with RGB lighting: HDMI, RJ45, USB-C host, USB-C 10Gbps, USB-A ports, PD input, plus SD/TF slots—built to expand your ROG Ally setup for gaming, networking, and accessories
| Model | Processor | Memory | Storage | Battery | Control feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROG Xbox Ally | AMD Ryzen Z2 A | Not stated in Xbox’s August 20, 2025 launch announcement | Not stated in Xbox’s August 20, 2025 launch announcement | Not stated in Xbox’s August 20, 2025 launch announcement | Not stated in Xbox’s August 20, 2025 launch announcement |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme | 24GB | 1TB | 80Wh | Impulse triggers |
These are announced specifications, not a measure of real-world frame rates or battery runtime. For the standard Ally, ASUS’s US page lists a $599.99 store price; that is a US listing, not a universal or guaranteed current price. Compare local listings and regional specifications before buying.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.From leak to launch: the confirmed timeline
- May 7, 2025: Windows Central reported that FCC-published images showed the device then referred to as “Kennan.”
- June 8, 2025: Xbox and ASUS officially revealed the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X.
- August 20, 2025: Xbox announced October 16 as the release date and specified key differences between the two models.
- October 16, 2025: Xbox said the products were available worldwide through Xbox.com in the US, ASUS eShop and participating retailers globally. Availability varies by market and retailer.
Is it an Xbox console, and is it made by Asus?
ASUS makes the ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PCs in partnership with Xbox. The Xbox branding, button and full-screen experience add Xbox integration, while Windows provides the PC operating system and access to multiple storefronts. It is therefore an ASUS Windows handheld developed with Xbox, not a standalone Xbox console.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
