Microsoft and ASUS are joining forces in a significant move for portable PC gaming. They recently announced two new handheld devices: the ROG Xbox Ally and its more powerful sibling, the ROG Xbox Ally X. These aren’t just minor updates; they represent a deliberate effort to refine the windows handheld experience, bringing a distinct “Xbox flavor” to playing your entire PC game library anywhere. Set for release in the Holiday 2025 season, these handhelds enter a rapidly growing market. They aim to challenge established players like the Steam Deck and other Windows-based portables by offering revamped hardware and a brand-new software interface designed specifically for gaming on the go. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment for both companies in the handheld space.
Inside the Hardware: Two Models Detailed
The new ROG Xbox Ally series arrives in two distinct flavors to cater to different user needs and budgets. Both models share a sharp 7-inch IPS touchscreen display. This screen boasts a 1080p resolution, a fast 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium for smooth visuals, and a bright 500 nits of brightness. It’s also protected by durable Gorilla Glass Victus with an anti-reflective coating.
ROG Xbox Ally: The Accessible Option
The standard ROG Xbox Ally is positioned as a more affordable entry point into this new ecosystem. It’s designed primarily for 720p gaming, offering a balance of cost and performance. Inside, it features an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor. This chip uses an older Zen 2 architecture but is optimized for efficiency in a handheld form factor. The base Ally comes with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a 512GB M.2 2280 SSD for storage, which is upgradeable. It weighs in at a manageable 1.48 pounds (670g) and is powered by a 60Wh battery. The base model includes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports and a standard microSD reader.
ROG Xbox Ally X: The Performance Beast
For users demanding higher performance and premium features, the ROG Xbox Ally X steps up significantly. It packs the more potent AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor. This chip utilizes the newer Zen 5 architecture and includes a dedicated AI accelerator, designed to handle AI tasks without impacting GPU performance during games. The Ally X gets a boost to 24GB of faster LPDDR5X-8000 RAM and a larger 1TB M.2 2280 SSD, also upgradeable. While slightly heavier at 1.58 pounds (715g), it compensates with a substantial 80Wh battery. Connectivity is enhanced with one USB4 Type-C port supporting Thunderbolt 4, alongside another USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, and a faster DDR200 microSD reader. The Ally X also features Impulse Triggers with haptic feedback, similar to an Xbox controller.
A Software Revolution: The Xbox Handheld Experience
Perhaps the most critical upgrade isn’t just the hardware, but the software powering these devices. Standard Windows 11 can be clunky on a small touchscreen with controller input. Microsoft has engineered a brand-new, full-screen Xbox interface specifically for these handhelds.
Ditching the Desktop
The goal is a console-like boot-up experience that bypasses the traditional Windows desktop entirely upon startup. This customized OS is designed to be intuitive for existing Xbox users. It replaces standard Windows logins with a streamlined PIN entry system like the Xbox console.
Unified Game Library & Features
The new interface provides a unified game library. This means you can see and access games from multiple PC storefronts—including Microsoft’s own Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, and even GOG—all in one place. The software supports streaming games directly from an Xbox console or via Xbox Cloud Gaming. Features like instant resume from standby (claiming to be three times more energy efficient than standard Windows standby) and the familiar Game Bar overlay for performance stats, capture, and chat are integrated. Xbox achievements and accessibility options also carry over.
Optimizing Windows for Handhelds
This isn’t just a launcher; Microsoft has made deep changes to the underlying Windows OS. Key Windows components and the desktop environment are essentially disabled when the full-screen Xbox experience is active. This frees up valuable system resources, potentially up to 2GB of RAM, directly benefiting game performance. While streamlined for gaming, the core Windows 11 OS remains underneath, allowing users to access non-gaming applications if needed, though it’s intentionally hidden from the primary user flow. This software overhaul is exclusive to the ROG Xbox Ally models initially, with plans for a wider release to other Windows handhelds later.
Performance Outlook and Market Positioning
The performance of the new ROG Xbox Ally devices hinges on their respective AMD processors. The Ryzen Z2 A in the base model is expected to offer performance comparable to the cheapest Steam Deck variants.
Z2 Extreme: A Performance Boost
The Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme in the Ally X is a more powerful chip. Early estimates suggest it could be 10-15% faster than the processor in the original ROG Ally. Microsoft claims the Z2 Extreme is capable of running demanding titles like Gears of War: Reloaded at a stable 1080p and 60 FPS, pushing towards console-level performance in a handheld form factor. However, concrete, independent benchmarks are still needed to confirm real-world performance and efficiency figures.
Navigating a Crowded Landscape
These devices launch into a fiercely competitive market. The Steam Deck remains popular, especially the OLED model. Other Windows handhelds, like the Lenovo Legion Go, are also vying for attention. The base ROG Xbox Ally, potentially priced under $600, might face a direct comparison with discounted Windows devices. For instance, the Lenovo Legion Go, currently available at $499, uses the more powerful Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, RDNA 3) compared to the Ally’s Z2 A (Zen 2, RDNA 2). This means the Legion Go might offer significantly better performance for less money, depending on the Ally’s final price.
Waiting for official reviews and performance comparisons is strongly recommended before making a purchase. The market is also evolving with Valve making it easier to install SteamOS on third-party hardware, potentially increasing alternative handheld options with the efficiency benefits of SteamOS.
The Microsoft-ASUS Partnership
This collaboration represents a significant strategic decision for Xbox. It’s the first time Microsoft has co-branded console-level hardware with another company beyond accessories. Xbox opted for this partnership approach rather than building a first-party handheld from scratch.
Why Partner?
According to Roanne Sones, Head of Xbox Devices, this was a “really, really big decision.” Consultation with retailers and publishers showed unanimous support for partnering with ASUS. This allowed Microsoft to be “quick and agile,” leveraging ASUS’s hardware expertise while contributing the “Xbox experience” software and branding. Shawn Yen from ASUS noted they needed Microsoft’s help to elevate their Ally efforts. The partnership focuses on the value proposition of playing diverse PC game libraries via Windows, enhanced by the new streamlined software.
Pricing, Availability, and Outlook
Official pricing for the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X remains unknown. This is due in part to market uncertainties like tariffs. However, speculation places the base model potentially around $500-$600 and the Ally X between $800-$1,000, reflecting its premium hardware. Both devices are scheduled for a Holiday 2025 launch, initially targeting the US and major European markets.
Initial hands-on impressions praise the power and the intuitive new user interface and screen. However, some testers noted the weight, particularly of the Ally X, causing potential hand fatigue during longer sessions.
Overall, the ROG Xbox Ally series is Microsoft and ASUS’s most serious attempt yet to bridge the gap between PC, Xbox, and portable gaming. The focus on a refined software experience, addressing a major weakness of previous Windows handhelds, coupled with robust hardware options, gives these devices significant potential. The ability to access games from virtually any PC store, including Xbox Game Pass, Steam, and even PC ports of PlayStation titles, positions them as potentially versatile gaming machines. Whether they live up to this potential depends heavily on the final pricing and real-world performance relative to the competition upon launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key differences between the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X?
The primary differences lie in performance and premium features. The base ROG Xbox Ally uses an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, has 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, a 60Wh battery, and standard USB-C ports. The ROG Xbox Ally X features a more powerful AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB RAM, 1TB storage, a larger 80Wh battery, and includes a USB4 port with Thunderbolt 4 support. The Ally X is also slightly heavier and includes enhanced haptic triggers.
How does the new Xbox handheld software enhance the gaming experience compared to regular Windows?
The new customized Windows 11 software provides a full-screen, console-like experience designed specifically for handhelds. It boots directly into an “Xbox experience” UI, bypassing the traditional Windows desktop. This interface unifies game libraries from multiple PC stores (Game Pass, Steam, etc.) and integrates Xbox features like cloud streaming and instant resume. Crucially, it optimizes system resources by disabling non-essential Windows components, potentially improving game performance and battery life compared to standard Windows handhelds.
How might the ROG Xbox Ally compare in value to other handhelds like the Steam Deck or Legion Go?
The value comparison depends heavily on the final pricing and real-world benchmarks. The base ROG Xbox Ally (Z2 A) is expected to be more affordable but potentially less powerful than handhelds using the Ryzen Z1 Extreme or Z2 Extreme chips. A discounted Lenovo Legion Go with a Z1 Extreme could offer better performance for a similar or lower price point. The ROG Xbox Ally’s unique advantages are its new streamlined Xbox software and the integrated Xbox ecosystem features. Experts recommend waiting for launch reviews and performance comparisons to make an informed decision.
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