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The Asus ROG Xbox Ally costs $599.99 in the US, while the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X costs $999.99. Both launched on October 16, 2025, so the pricing is no longer new: ASUS’s US pages still list those launch prices. The standard model is a costly way into Windows handheld gaming; the Ally X’s extra $400 buys substantially more performance, memory, storage and battery, but not a better display.
US prices and core specifications
These are Asus-made Windows 11 handheld gaming PCs developed with Microsoft and Xbox—not Xbox Series consoles. The figures below are US prices; prices and availability elsewhere may differ. ASUS’s current US listings show the same prices the company announced for launch.
| Feature | ROG Xbox Ally | ROG Xbox Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $599.99 | $999.99 |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 A | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5-6400 | 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 2280 SSD | 1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
| Battery | 60Wh | 80Wh |
| Display | 7-inch, 1080p IPS, 500 nits, 120Hz, VRR | 7-inch, 1080p IPS, 500 nits, 120Hz, VRR |
| Weight | 670g | 715g |
| Ports | Two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, microSD reader, 3.5mm audio jack | USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 and Thunderbolt 4 compatibility, a second USB-C port, microSD reader, 3.5mm audio jack |
| In the box | 65W charger and stand | 65W charger and stand |
These specifications are from Xbox’s model comparison; the current comparison lists the standard Ally’s memory as LPDDR5-6400. Both models use Windows 11 Home and support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4. Their M.2 2280 SSDs can be replaced, and both have microSD readers. ASUS announced the partnership in June 2025, opened preorders in September, and put both models on sale October 16, 2025. Xbox’s announcement and ASUS’s launch notice document that timeline. ASUS’s US buying page continues to list the Ally X at $999.99.
Why the $599.99 Ally feels expensive
The standard Ally is not a small console with a fixed library. It is a compact Windows PC with an Xbox-focused interface, access to PC games and storefronts, and hardware built for handheld play. Its 1080p 120Hz display supports variable refresh rate, its 60Wh battery is larger than many portable devices, and its contoured controls are designed for long sessions. Those features help explain the price.
#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.
The value question is what the $599.99 buys compared with the games you want to play. The Ryzen Z2 A and 16GB of memory put this model below the Ally X in performance headroom. Its 512GB SSD also fills quickly when installing large PC games; Windows, recovery data and applications reduce the space available for a library. The drive is replaceable, but an upgrade adds cost and requires care. A microSD card is useful for additional storage, though performance varies and it may not be the best home for every demanding game.
The IPS panel is bright and fast, but it is not OLED and does not offer OLED’s contrast or HDR advantages. And 120Hz is the panel’s refresh-rate capability, not a promise that demanding games will run at 120 frames per second. In graphically heavy titles, players may need lower settings, a reduced render resolution, upscaling or a frame-rate cap.
In WIRED’s review, the standard Ally handled smaller and less demanding games more comfortably than demanding titles. In the publication’s Forza Horizon 5 testing, it needed tuning and reached around 48 fps in a high-power configuration. That is one reviewer’s result, not a guaranteed frame rate: game, settings, resolution, power mode, drivers and updates all affect performance. WIRED’s testing also notes that the Xbox interface cannot remove all of Windows’ complexity.
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.
What the extra $400 buys with the Ally X
The Ally X is the stronger local-gaming option. Its Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 24GB of faster memory and 1TB SSD give it more room for demanding games and multitasking. Its battery capacity rises from 60Wh to 80Wh, and USB4 adds faster connectivity for compatible docks and accessories. Impulse triggers are another hardware difference.
The trade-offs are a $999.99 price and a weight of 715g, 45g more than the standard model. Most importantly, the display is essentially the same 7-inch 1080p, 120Hz IPS panel. The premium pays for processing, memory, storage, battery, connectivity and controls—not OLED or a larger screen. WIRED found the Ally X smoother than the standard model in its Forza Horizon 5 comparison, but results vary by title and settings.
What Xbox adds—and what it does not
The Xbox Full Screen Experience is a controller-friendly interface running on top of Windows 11. It is meant to make launching games, browsing libraries, using Game Bar and adjusting handheld settings easier without relying as much on desktop navigation. It is not a separate Xbox operating system. Windows remains underneath, and Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, GOG and other PC launchers may still be part of the experience.
Rank #3
- [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 4TB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
The devices can run native Windows PC games and supported Xbox Play Anywhere titles. They can also access Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Remote Play, but those are different ways to play: cloud gaming depends on a supported plan and network connection, while Remote Play streams from an Xbox console you own. Buying an Xbox console game does not automatically mean you can install it locally on Windows. For local Xbox-linked access, the title must support Play Anywhere or have a Windows version available through the relevant store. Xbox describes these distinct access routes in its announcement.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Each handheld includes three months of Xbox Game Pass Premium, which Xbox describes as almost a $45 value. This is a limited subscription promotion, not a permanent reduction in the hardware price. Xbox says it must be claimed within 30 days of activation, requires a valid payment method and renews automatically unless canceled; plan benefits and game availability vary by region. See Xbox’s offer terms before relying on it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Battery, display and Windows trade-offs in practice
Battery life depends on the workload
The X’s 80Wh battery has more capacity than the Ally’s 60Wh, but capacity alone does not set runtime. Demanding local games use more power than lightweight titles or cloud play. WIRED reported around six hours for both devices in its particular mix of games and settings; that is a review result, not a runtime guarantee for a specific game or power mode.
Rank #4
- 🖥️ High-Performance 7" Gaming & Productivity Display | 1920x1080 Glare TFT LCD with 120Hz refresh rate delivers ultra-smooth visuals for gaming & streaming; 10-point capacitive multi-touch panel + precision pointing device ensures intuitive control. Powered by Windows 11 Home 64-bit, this black handheld balances portability (11.4"x4.8"x1.1", 1.6 lbs) and immersive play.
- ⚡ Top-Tier AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor | 8-core/16-thread chip paired with integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 onboard memory & 1TB PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast load times, seamless multitasking & crisp gaming graphics. Max power consumption of 65W optimizes performance without excessive energy drain.
- 🔋 Long-Lasting Battery & Flexible Power Options | 4-cell 80Wh lithium polymer battery offers up to 13.9hrs of video playback or 22.3hrs of idle use—ideal for all-day gaming marathons or remote work.
- 🎮 Professional Gaming Controls & Smart Features | Full layout with left/right sticks, D-pad, A/B/X/Y buttons, bumpers/triggers, 2 macro buttons & dedicated Xbox/display/library keys for customized gameplay. Built-in accelerometer/gyroscope for motion control; Windows Hello fingerprint recognition ensures secure, one-touch login.
- 🔌 Versatile Connectivity & Complete Accessories Kit | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.4 for lag-free online gaming & device pairing; 2 Type-C ports (USB 4 + USB 3.2 Gen2) support data transfer, video output & PD charging.
Windows gives flexibility, with PC maintenance attached
Along with broad storefront access comes the upkeep of a Windows gaming PC: operating-system, driver and launcher updates, graphics settings that may need adjustment from game to game, and occasional desktop interaction or text entry. Some games can also have launcher or anti-cheat compatibility issues. The Xbox interface can make common tasks easier, but it cannot ensure that every PC game behaves like a console title.
Which model makes sense for you?
Choose the ROG Xbox Ally for lighter play and a lower spend
- You mainly play indies, older games, lighter PC titles or cloud games.
- You want Xbox and Windows integration but cannot justify $999.99.
- You are comfortable lowering settings or resolution in demanding games.
- You value a 1080p, 120Hz VRR screen and multi-storefront access more than top-tier handheld performance.
Choose the ROG Xbox Ally X for more demanding local gaming
- You want more headroom for current AAA PC games and heavier multitasking.
- You want 24GB of memory, 1TB of storage and a larger battery.
- You expect to use compatible docks, external displays or high-speed USB accessories.
- You accept laptop-like spending and a heavier handheld, while recognizing that the screen remains IPS.
Look elsewhere if your priorities point away from Windows
- Steam Deck OLED: Consider it if your library is primarily on Steam and you want OLED and a more console-like SteamOS experience. It is a less direct fit for native Xbox PC integration or broad Windows launcher compatibility. The comparison depends on the Deck model and game; it is not a universal performance ranking. Valve’s official page covers the OLED model.
- Older ROG Ally or Ally X: Discounted older hardware may offer stronger value. The older Ally X has a large battery and capable AMD hardware, while the Xbox-branded models add newer processors, Xbox-focused software and revised ergonomics. Existing Ally X owners should not assume the new model is a transformative upgrade in every game. Check ASUS’s ROG Ally series page and current listings.
- Lenovo Legion Go family: Worth considering if a larger display, detachable controllers or a built-in kickstand matter more than compactness. Size, weight, software and hardware vary by model. Check Lenovo’s Legion Go page for current models and pricing.
Verdict: buy for your library, not the Xbox label
The $599.99 ROG Xbox Ally is easiest to justify for players who want Xbox-oriented navigation and Windows flexibility for lighter local games, cloud play and PC storefronts. Its price is harder to defend if demanding AAA performance is the priority. At $999.99, the Ally X is a much more capable package, but it is a premium Windows handheld with an IPS screen—not a simpler console or an OLED upgrade. If Steam is your main ecosystem, compare the Steam Deck OLED; if you already have a recent high-end Windows handheld, buy only if the Xbox interface or specific hardware improvements address a need you actually have.
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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.
