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Microsoft did not reveal a traditional Xbox console in handheld form. Instead, it partnered with ASUS on two Xbox-branded Windows 11 gaming PCs: the ROG Xbox Ally and the higher-end ROG Xbox Ally X. Announced at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8, 2025, both became available worldwide on October 16, 2025.
The devices combine ASUS hardware with an Xbox-focused interface, Xbox account integration and access to supported Xbox PC games, Game Pass, other PC storefronts, Xbox Cloud Gaming and Xbox Remote Play. They do not automatically run every Xbox console game that a user owns.
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Release date and price
ASUS manufactures both handhelds, while Microsoft provides the Xbox software experience and ecosystem integration. In the United States, ASUS lists the following prices as of August 18, 2026:
| Model | U.S. list price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| ROG Xbox Ally | $599.99 | Worldwide since October 16, 2025 |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | $999.99 | Worldwide since October 16, 2025 |
Prices, stock and bundle terms vary by country. Xbox advertises three months of Game Pass Premium with purchases in select markets, but the plan name, eligibility and catalog depend on region and can change. Check the official Xbox product page before buying.
#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.
Are the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Xbox consoles?
No—not in the traditional sense. Both are Windows 11 handheld PCs with Xbox branding and built-in Xbox controls. They can access the Xbox PC app, supported PC Game Pass games and third-party Windows storefronts, including Steam, Epic Games Store and Battle.net. Users can also exit the handheld interface and use Windows normally.
That distinction matters. Owning a game on an Xbox console does not guarantee that it can be installed and played natively on either handheld. Access depends on the game having a supported Windows PC version, an Xbox Play Anywhere entitlement, cloud availability or Remote Play support.
What the Xbox Full Screen Experience changes
The main Microsoft contribution is the Xbox Full Screen Experience, an Xbox-oriented interface designed to make Windows easier to navigate with handheld controls. It places the game library at the center, surfaces games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net and other major PC storefronts, and uses the Xbox button to open Game Bar tools and widgets. Holding the Xbox button lets users switch between open applications.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →This is an interface layer, not a new operating system. Windows updates, desktop settings, separate launchers and account logins remain part of the experience. Although the aggregated library is more convenient than navigating Windows manually, games are not necessarily integrated identically. Some still require touch input, a desktop window or a separate launcher. WIRED’s review found that the interface could remain more cluttered and less seamless than a conventional console UI.
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.
ROG Xbox Ally vs. ROG Xbox Ally X
| Feature | ROG Xbox Ally | ROG Xbox Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 A | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
| Battery | 60 Wh | 80 Wh |
| Display | 7-inch 1,920×1,080 touchscreen, 120 Hz, FreeSync Premium | 7-inch 1,920×1,080 touchscreen, 120 Hz, FreeSync Premium |
| Controls | Xbox-inspired grips, Hall Effect analog triggers and assignable rear buttons | Xbox-inspired grips, impulse-trigger vibration and assignable rear buttons |
| Operating system | Windows 11 | Windows 11 |
| U.S. list price | $599.99 | $999.99 |
ROG Xbox Ally
The standard Ally is the value model. Its 60 Wh battery is substantially larger than the 40 Wh battery in the original ROG Ally, and it retains a 7-inch 1080p 120 Hz display. Storage is upgradeable with an off-the-shelf drive.
ASUS claims up to a 20% performance improvement over the original ROG Ally in specified tests. That is a vendor result, not a universal benchmark: performance varies with the game, resolution, frame limit and power mode.
ROG Xbox Ally X
The Ally X adds AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, an 80 Wh battery, redesigned cooling and an integrated NPU intended for future AI-related features. Its impulse triggers add vibration feedback, while storage remains upgradeable.
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ASUS claims up to a 30% performance improvement over the previous-generation ROG Ally X in selected games and up to twice the battery life in a specified Hollow Knight: Silksong test. These figures should not be treated as guaranteed real-world endurance or performance across all games.
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.
Neither model has an OLED display or a larger screen. Both use the same 7-inch, 1080p, 120 Hz display format.
What games can they play?
Native Windows PC games
As Windows PCs, the handhelds can run supported games from the Xbox PC app, PC Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net and other Windows-compatible stores. This broad storefront access is one of their biggest advantages over a console-only device.
Xbox Play Anywhere
Compatible Xbox Play Anywhere titles can share saves, add-ons and achievements between an Xbox console and Windows PC. Play Anywhere does not cover every game purchased for Xbox console.
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Cloud Gaming and Remote Play
Xbox Cloud Gaming streams games from Microsoft’s servers, avoiding a local installation. It requires a supported Game Pass membership, a reliable internet connection and availability in the user’s region. Latency and Wi-Fi quality can affect the experience.
Rank #4
- 🚀 AMD RYZEN AI Z2 EXTREME PERFORMANCE: Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme 8-core, 16-thread processor (up to 5.0GHz max turbo) with AMD Radeon Graphics and 24MB smart cache, delivering ultra-smooth performance for AAA gaming, AI workloads, and multitasking.(Japan Version. It can be used in the United States with the included plug adapter, and the system language can be switched to English for normal use.)
- 💾 24GB LPDDR5X RAM & 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD: Equipped with 24GB high-speed LPDDR5X onboard memory and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loading, and seamless multitasking across demanding applications.
- 🖥️ 7” FHD 120HZ TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY: Experience crisp visuals on a 7-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS-level touchscreen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, responsive touch control, and vivid color reproduction for immersive gameplay.
- ❄️ ERGONOMIC DESIGN & INTELLIGENT COOLING: Designed for comfort during extended gaming sessions, featuring ergonomic grips and ROG’s advanced intelligent cooling system to maintain consistent performance under heavy workloads.
- 🎮 WINDOWS 11 WITH XBOX & PC GAME ECOSYSTEM: Runs on Windows 11, providing full compatibility with Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other PC platforms—offering a true hybrid experience that blends console-style gaming with PC flexibility.
Xbox Remote Play streams games installed on the user’s own Xbox console to the handheld. The console must be configured, powered appropriately and connected. Remote Play is streaming from the console, not native execution on the Ally.
Compatibility limitations
- Anti-cheat systems can prevent some PC games from working correctly.
- Some launchers require separate sign-ins, touch-screen interaction or Windows desktop controls.
- An Xbox console purchase may not include a Windows version.
- “Playable” can mean native PC play, cloud streaming or Remote Play; these are different experiences.
- The Xbox and ASUS handheld compatibility program can help identify how supported games are expected to work.
What changed from the original ROG Ally?
The redesign is more than an Xbox logo. Both models use contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers, full-size analog sticks, rear assignable buttons and a dedicated Xbox button. ASUS also redesigned cooling and increased battery capacity. The standard Ally uses Hall Effect analog triggers, while the Ally X adds impulse-trigger vibration.
For an existing ROG Ally owner, the upgrade case depends on priorities. The new chassis, larger batteries and Xbox-focused interface may be meaningful, but the raw performance improvement is not guaranteed to feel dramatic in every game. Owners who mainly want software improvements and do not need the redesigned controls or additional battery capacity may prefer to keep their current device.
Which model should you buy?
Choose the ROG Xbox Ally if:
- You want Xbox-style handheld navigation at the lower price.
- You value access to Windows and multiple PC storefronts.
- You mostly play lighter or moderately demanding games.
- You want a larger battery than the original ROG Ally without paying $999.99.
Choose the ROG Xbox Ally X if:
- You want the faster of the two devices for demanding PC games.
- Longer battery life matters more than price or weight.
- You want impulse-trigger vibration and the higher-end processor.
- You plan to dock it, attach peripherals or use it as a compact Windows gaming PC.
Consider another handheld if:
- You prefer a Steam-first, more console-like operating system and OLED options; the Steam Deck OLED is a better fit for that priority.
- You want a larger display or detachable controls, making a Lenovo Legion Go or Legion Go S worth considering.
- You do not need native Xbox PC or Game Pass integration and can find an older ROG Ally at a substantially lower price.
The Ally X costs $400 more than the standard model at the listed U.S. prices. That premium buys a faster platform, a larger battery and upgraded controls—not access to a broader magical Xbox console library.
Quick Recap
Practical buying and setup cautions
- Game does not appear as a native install: check for a Windows PC release, Play Anywhere entitlement, cloud support or Remote Play.
- Game appears but will not launch: look for a required launcher, account login, anti-cheat restriction or desktop interaction.
- Cloud play is unstable: test Wi-Fi and latency, then use native installation or Remote Play where available.
- Battery life is disappointing: check the power profile, brightness, refresh rate, resolution, frame cap and game settings. Turbo, Performance and Silent modes have different battery costs.
- Storage fills quickly: modern AAA games are large, so budget for a compatible SSD or microSD card and check the expected loading performance.
- Windows feels like maintenance: the Xbox shell does not remove Windows updates, driver updates or ordinary PC troubleshooting. Avoid major updates immediately before travel or an important gaming session.
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.
