At the Xbox Games Showcase (June 8, 2025), Microsoft officially revealed two handheld gaming devices made in partnership with ASUS: the ROG Xbox Ally (standard model) and the ROG Xbox Ally X (high-performance)
Both devices run full Windows 11, but boot directly into a fullscreen Xbox-style UI, showcasing your Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, Steam, and other PC game libraries
📊 Key Specifications
| Feature | ROG Xbox Ally (Standard) | ROG Xbox Ally X (High-End) |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z2 A | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
| RAM | 16 GB LPDDR5x | 24 GB LPDDR5x |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 1 TB SSD |
| Display | 7″ 1080p 120 Hz | 7″ 1080p 120 Hz |
| Battery | 60 Wh | 80 Wh |
| Extra Features | Contoured Xbox-style grips | Impulse triggers, USB‑C Thunderbolt 4, enhanced haptics |
🗓️ Release Window & Pricing
- Both handhelds are set to launch during Holiday 2025, with pricing still pending
🧩 Software & Experience
- The devices feature:
- A streamlined Xbox UI optimized for handheld gaming, minimizing Windows distractions
- Game Bar enhancements, Armoury Crate integration, and a handheld UI overhaul coming to existing ROG Ally devices and other handheld PCs next year
- Full access to Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Remote Play, plus PC game platforms
💡 Initial Impressions
- Reviews highlight:
- Ergonomics designed around the Xbox controller, despite being heavier than competitors (715 g for Ally X vs 669 g Steam Deck OLED) .
- Impulse triggers on the Ally X add tactile feedback .
- Strong performance demonstrated with native Xbox titles hitting smooth framerates (e.g., 60 fps in Gears Reloaded) .
- Game Bar and Xbox UI feel purpose-built, avoiding clunky PC handheld experiences .
- Pricing is the biggest unknown—likely premium (comparable to ASUS ROG Ally at $649–$799) .
🧭 Strategic Context
- These handhelds appear under Project “Kennan”, Microsoft’s Xbox-branded partner device effort from earlier reports .
- Rather than building their own hardware, Microsoft is evolving Windows handhelds in partnership with ASUS—and aggressively pushing Xbox-style software innovation onto other handheld PCs next year .
- Microsoft has temporarily paused its own in-house Xbox handheld console, pivoting focus to these Windows PC collaborations.
✅ Bottom Line
Microsoft is making its handheld debut this holiday season via a Windows-based ASUS partnership, offering a premium, Xbox-first handheld experience. The standout features include strong hardware, an optimized UI, and seamless integration with Xbox and PC services. However, pricing remains a key unknown—how they position these devices against competitors will determine their appeal.
Let me know if you’d like a deep dive into specs, comparisons with Steam Deck or Switch, or pricing predictions!
