Asus and Microsoft have finally confirmed the launch date for the highly-anticipated ROG Xbox Ally series of gaming handhelds, and the wait is less than two months away. Gamers can expect both the standard Xbox Ally and the higher-end Xbox Ally X to arrive on store shelves beginning October 16 of this year.

Internally, the ROG Xbox Ally is set to ship with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of internal SSD storage. The ROG Xbox Ally X, meanwhile, includes the more powerful AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, in addition to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage space. Both models feature a 7-inch IPS LCD 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate. A more detailed breakdown of hardware specifications can be found on Microsoft's Xbox Wire website.

...we now have a much clearer picture when it comes to the new hardware's launch timing and global availability.

Asus and Microsoft first revealed the existence of Xbox-branded ROG Ally game consoles at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 in early June. At the time, we received confirmation of there being both a base Xbox Ally and a premium Xbox Ally X variant, along with a fairly ambiguous launch window of "holiday 2025 in select markets, with availability to follow for other markets where ROG Ally series are sold today."

With today's news, we now have a much clearer picture when it comes to the new hardware's launch timing and global availability, though neither Asus nor Microsoft have committed to any pricing figures for either model quite yet. According to the press release, additional pricing and pre-order details will follow "in the coming weeks."

In the meantime, Asus is showcasing both ROG Xbox Ally models to the public at its booth at Gamescom 2025, which is taking place in Colgne, Germany from August 20 through 24.

  • rog-xbox-ally
    ROG Xbox Ally
    Dimensions
    11.45 x 4.78 x 1.99-inches (290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm)
    Brand
    Asus
    Weight
    23oz (670g)
    Chipset
    AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor
    RAM
    16GB LPDDR5X-6400
    Storage
    512GB M.2 2280 SSD

    The ROG Xbox Ally is a handheld gaming PC from Asus that runs the Windows 11 operating system, designed in collaboration with Microsoft and Xbox.

    Display
    7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz refresh rate FreeSync Premium Corning® Gorilla® Glass Vitus + Corning DXC Anti-Reflection
    Ports
    2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC) 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
    Battery
    60Wh
  • rog-xbox-ally-x
    ROG Xbox Ally X
    Dimensions
    11.45 x 4.78 x 1.99-inches (290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm)
    Brand
    Asus
    Weight
    25oz (715g)
    Chipset
    AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor
    RAM
    24GB LPDDR5X-8000
    Storage
    1TB M.2 2280 SSD for easier upgrade

    The ROG Xbox Ally X is Asus' latest premium handheld video game console, running Windows 11 and being designed closely with Microsoft and its Xbox division.

    Display
    7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz refresh rate FreeSync Premium Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + Corning DXC Anti-Reflection
    Ports
    USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, USB 4 Type-C
    Battery
    80Wh
rog-xbox-ally-lineup
Microsoft just announced the Xbox handheld I've always wanted

After months of rumors, Microsoft and Asus have finally revealed the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.

By 
Jun 8, 2025

The hardware is great, but it's the software that matters most

The ROG Xbox Ally series is Windows 11's make-or-break moment in the handheld gaming space

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X product photo Credit: Asus / Microsoft

From a hardware standpoint, the ROG Xbox Ally series is shaping up to be a solid handheld gaming PC offering. Building off the success of Asus' existing ROG Ally and ROG Ally X models, which run Windows 11, the all-new Xbox-branded ROG Ally units feature upgraded specifications, a more ergonomic exterior design, and the signature Xbox logo button and face buttons.

Ultimately, the real differentiating factor here comes down to software. Essentially, Microsoft is using the ROG Xbox Ally series as a springboard to launch an upgraded Windows 11 experience that's custom-designed for gamers with performance and efficiency in mind.

Windows 11 has long proven to be a problematic platform for handheld PCs, owing to a user interface that isn't optimized for small displays, a lack of gamepad input support at the shell level, temperamental sleep/wake/hibernate tendencies, and an abundance of background processes that bog down the gaming experience.

...there might be just enough here for Windows 11 to reaffirm its status as a viable platform for gaming.

While we don't yet have all the details, we do know that the version of Windows 11 running on the ROG Xbox Ally models will feature a bolstered Xbox app that cuts down on background tasks, kills elements of the desktop interface, and improves battery life and performance. Microsoft has also been busy improving user interface elements within its flagship OS in recent months, too, including by introducing a new gamepad-friendly keyboard and PIN input screen, a better-designed layout for the Xbox app, and the ability to launch PC games from alternative storefronts directly from within said app itself.

With rivals like Valve's Steam Deck and the Lenovo Legion Go S running SteamOS now on the market, the handheld gaming scene is becoming more competitive -- and it's doing so in a way that sidesteps Microsoft's domineering position within the traditional gaming PC industry. If the company can sort out Windows 11's deficiencies, and if Asus' hardware proves successful enough, there might be just enough here for Windows 11 to reaffirm its status as a viable platform for gaming, both at home and while on the go.

The ROG G700 Gaming PC
I finally found the PC that made me give up console gaming

I've gone over to the fidelity-filled dark side, and don't think I can go back.

3
By 
Jun 5, 2025