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ASUS set the ROG Xbox Ally X’s price, Xbox President Sarah Bond says. The official U.S. price is $999.99, compared with $599.99 for the standard ROG Xbox Ally—a $400 difference. Bond attributed ASUS’s decision to its knowledge of the hardware market, the feature set and what buyers want, but neither Xbox nor ASUS has published a verified cost or profit breakdown for the X’s price.
What Sarah Bond said about the price
In remarks about the handhelds, Xbox President Sarah Bond said: “It really was Asus, because this is their hardware. That is all of their insight into the market, into the feature set, into what people want, to determine the ultimate prices of the devices.” Read Bond’s statement.
Bond also defended the value proposition, saying she felt good about “the value that we’re giving gamers for the price, based off the reception to the hardware.” Her explanation identifies ASUS as the company responsible for setting the final price; it does not itemize the costs behind it.
How much the Ally X costs, and what the comparison shows
ASUS lists the 2025 ROG Xbox Ally X, model RC73XA, at $999.99 in the U.S. The standard ROG Xbox Ally is listed at $599.99. Those official U.S. prices make the X $400 more. ASUS’s Ally X product page identifies its configuration, while Xbox’s preorder announcement gives the price comparison.
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#1 Best Overall
- 🖥️ 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.
| Model | Official U.S. price | Identified hardware |
|---|---|---|
| ROG Xbox Ally X (2025, RC73XA) | $999.99 | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
| ROG Xbox Ally | $599.99 | Not stated in the cited price sources |
The $400 difference reflects the X’s higher-end configuration and premium positioning, but the cited public pages do not establish how much of it comes from individual components, development, distribution or margin. A precise explanation of the markup cannot be inferred from the retail prices alone.
What the premium handheld is designed to offer
The Ally X is a Windows 11 handheld developed by ASUS and Xbox. Xbox emphasizes an Xbox-mode interface, Xbox Play Anywhere, Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming, alongside access to PC storefronts. That mix makes it an Xbox-integrated portable PC rather than a device limited to one game store. Xbox’s announcement describes the positioning, and the Xbox product page outlines its ecosystem features.
Rank #2
- 🚀 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.
Those features explain the product’s intended role, not the exact calculation behind its $999.99 price. The available official information establishes the price and processor model, but does not provide a verified bill of materials or profit-margin calculation.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Launch and availability
Xbox announced a worldwide launch for October 16, 2025, and later said the devices were available in 45 countries, with more markets planned. Availability, stock and local pricing can vary; check ASUS or an authorized retailer for current terms in your region. Xbox’s launch update provides the availability announcement.
Quick Recap
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 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
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.
