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The black ASUS handheld shown in FCC-related images on May 7, 2025 was real. It became the ROG Xbox Ally X, launched alongside the white ROG Xbox Ally on October 16, 2025. The leak correctly revealed Xbox branding, deeper controller-style grips, a 7-inch 120Hz screen and a high-power AMD platform. It did not accurately predict every retail specification: the Ally X ships with 24GB of memory and 1TB of storage, not the 32GB/64GB and 2TB configurations circulated at the time.
What actually leaked in May 2025?
FCC-related images and model information appeared on May 7, 2025, for ASUS model numbers RC73YA and RC73XA. The white unit was identified as the next ROG Ally generation; the black unit had Xbox-specific details and was linked in reporting to Microsoft’s and ASUS’s “Project Kennan” partner hardware.
The images showed a conventional ROG Ally-style handheld with a thicker rear shell, more pronounced grips, a dedicated Xbox button and black Xbox branding. Reports also pointed to a 7-inch, 120Hz LCD and an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme-class processor in the premium model. FCC material established that a hardware platform existed, but not its final name, price, launch date, software interface, memory or storage configuration. See the contemporaneous coverage from Tom’s Guide, Tom’s Hardware, VideoCardz and Windows Central.
From “Project Kennan” to ROG Xbox Ally
ASUS officially announced the ROG Xbox Ally series in June 2025 and released it worldwide on October 16, 2025. ASUS makes and sells the hardware; Microsoft and Xbox provide the branding and handheld-focused software experience. “Project Kennan” was a leak-era codename, not the retail name.
#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 result is an ASUS Windows 11 gaming handheld developed with Xbox—not a first-party Microsoft console. It runs Windows 11 Home and can launch Xbox PC games, Game Pass PC titles, Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG and other compatible software. Xbox Cloud Gaming, Xbox Remote Play and Play Anywhere titles are additional delivery methods where supported. The official Xbox overview is at Xbox.com.
Leak versus retail specification
| Leak-era claim | What shipped |
|---|---|
| Xbox-branded ASUS handheld | Confirmed as ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X |
| Project Kennan | Reporting codename; not the product name |
| Larger, gamepad-style grips | Confirmed design direction |
| 7-inch, 120Hz display | Confirmed on both launch models |
| Ryzen Z2 Extreme | Confirmed for Ally X as Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
| Approximately 15–35W or 36W | Prototype/reporting figures; actual behavior varies by firmware, power mode and game |
| 32GB or 64GB memory | Not the standard Ally X configuration; retail Ally X has 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
| Up to 2TB storage | Not the standard Ally X configuration; retail model has a 1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
| Dedicated Xbox operating system | Windows 11 Home with an Xbox-oriented full-screen experience |
| 2025 launch speculation | Confirmed launch date: October 16, 2025 |
What “big power” means
ROG Xbox Ally X
- AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme
- 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 memory
- 1TB M.2 2280 SSD
- 80Wh battery
- 7-inch 1080p IPS touchscreen, 120Hz, 500 nits, variable refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium
- Windows 11 Home, Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth
- Two USB-C ports, including USB4, and approximately 715g weight
These are integrated-graphics handhelds, not miniature desktop PCs. Frame rate depends on the selected power mode, game engine, resolution, upscaling, memory shared with the GPU, drivers and firmware. A reported 35W or 36W ceiling from prototype coverage is not a guaranteed all-game operating point. Plugged-in performance can be substantially different from battery operation, while higher power also means more heat, fan noise and faster battery drain. ASUS’s current specifications are listed on the ROG Xbox Ally X product page.
ROG Xbox Ally
- AMD Ryzen Z2 A
- 16GB memory
- 512GB storage
- 60Wh battery
- 7-inch 1080p, 120Hz touchscreen
- Windows 11 Home
The standard model is aimed at lighter games, older PC releases, esports and less demanding Game Pass titles. The lower-power platform and smaller battery reduce both price and capability; it is not simply an Ally X with less storage.
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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.
Why the grips were the leak’s biggest visual clue
ASUS redesigned the chassis around contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers, a reshaped palm rest and textured grip surfaces. Both models retain full-size analog sticks, dedicated Xbox, View, Menu, Command Center and Library controls, two assignable rear buttons, HD haptics and a six-axis IMU. The design is visibly thicker and more controller-shaped than the original ROG Ally.
Deeper grips can spread pressure and reduce the “small laptop” feeling during long sessions, but they add bulk and may not suit small hands. A render cannot prove comfort; that conclusion requires hands-on testing. The trade-off is fixed: integrated grips are always ready, but they cannot be removed for slimmer storage or travel.
Is it a real Xbox console?
No. “Xbox handheld” accurately describes the partnership, branding and software layer; “portable Xbox console” can wrongly suggest native Xbox Series X|S software. The ROG Xbox Ally is a Windows handheld PC. A game may run as a Windows PC version, stream from Xbox Cloud Gaming, arrive through Remote Play from your console or qualify through Xbox Play Anywhere. A Game Pass subscription does not make every Xbox console game run locally.
Rank #3
- ALL GAMES, ALL PLACES, ALL YOURS – Get ready to game on the 8" 120Hz Lenovo PureSight display and launch any title using Legion Space. The AMD Ryzen Z2 Go processor and AMD Radeon graphics deliver incredible gaming performance.
- SEE EVERY DETAIL – Make every scene pop with 500 nits of stunning brightness and 100% sRGB color accuracy. And with 10-point touch support, your interactions are as precise as your aim.
- PLAY YOUR WAY – Play hundreds of high-quality PC games with your complimentary 3 months of PC Game Pass and EA Play. With new games added all the time, there’s always something new to play.
- POWER-UP AND GO – When it comes to gaming on the go, battery life is everything. The Lenovo Legion Go S is built with a robust 55.5Whr battery that delivers the long-lasting power you need for extended play sessions.
- TAKE FULL CONTROL – Get ready to dominate with the ergonomic Legion TrueStrike Controllers, designed for all-day comfort and precision. With their anti-slip texture, you’ll stay in control during even the most intense battles.
The devices boot into an Xbox-style full-screen mode intended to make launching and navigating games more console-like. Xbox also introduced Handheld Compatibility labels for games whose controls, text, icons, resolution and default input are suited to portable play. Windows remains underneath, so users still face multiple launchers, account sign-ins, driver updates, anti-cheat restrictions and games that are technically playable but awkward on a 7-inch display.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsMicrosoft and ASUS continued adding docking, library, vibration, gamepad-cursor and Auto SR improvements after launch, documented in the April 2026 Xbox update. That ongoing work is useful context: the interface is an evolving Windows layer, not a wholly separate console operating system.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Ally or Ally X?
| ROG Xbox Ally | ROG Xbox Ally X | |
|---|---|---|
| U.S. price shown by ASUS | $599.99 | $999.99 |
| Processor | Ryzen Z2 A | Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
| Memory | 16GB | 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
| Storage | 512GB | 1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
| Battery | 60Wh | 80Wh |
| Display | 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz touchscreen | 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz IPS touchscreen, 500 nits |
| Best fit | Lower-cost Xbox integration and lighter games | Demanding games, larger battery and premium connectivity |
U.S. prices are ASUS’s listed figures; regional pricing and availability can differ. The standard Ally and Ally X pages are the appropriate places to check current stock and terms.
Who should buy one?
Choose the Ally X if
- You play demanding AAA PC games and want the strongest integrated graphics in this ASUS/Xbox launch pair.
- You use Game Pass, PC storefronts and cloud or Remote Play regularly.
- You value an 80Wh battery, 1TB drive, two USB-C ports and the higher-end APU more than low weight.
Choose the standard Ally if
- Your library is mostly indie, older, competitive or otherwise lightweight.
- You want the Xbox-focused interface at the lower entry price.
- You accept lower settings or upscaling in demanding games.
Look elsewhere if
- You want a simple, Steam-first appliance: the Steam Deck and SteamOS may be a better fit.
- OLED contrast and black levels matter more than the ASUS/Xbox software layer.
- You need the lightest possible travel device or genuinely long unplugged sessions.
- You expect every Xbox console title to install and run locally.
Practical limitations to plan for
- Storage: modern PC games can quickly fill 512GB or 1TB. A microSD card adds capacity, but suitability and performance vary by game.
- Launchers: the same title may behave differently in Xbox, Steam, Epic or another storefront, including saves and achievements.
- Anti-cheat: some multiplayer games require specific updates or may not work correctly on a Windows handheld.
- Screen scale: small text and desktop-style menus can remain difficult even when a game carries a compatibility label.
- Docking: a dock, charger, display and controller may be separate purchases.
- Power modes: battery life, frame rate, heat and noise change substantially between low-power and plugged-in modes.
Verdict
The leak’s important insight was the design philosophy, not the rumored 64GB memory or 2TB drive. Xbox wanted a Windows handheld that felt more like a controller and less like a small laptop. The ROG Xbox Ally X delivered that direction with deeper grips, a large battery and a Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, but it remains a premium ASUS Windows PC handheld with Xbox integration—not a pocket-sized Xbox Series console. As of August 2026, the choice is straightforward: pay for the Ally X’s performance and battery, choose the standard Ally for cheaper access to the same software approach, or pick a SteamOS/OLED competitor if those priorities matter more.
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.
