The ROG Xbox Ally is an upcoming handheld gaming computer and handheld game console [1] co-developed by Asus and Microsoft, and manufactured by Asus as part of the Republic of Gamers (ROG) and Xbox brands. A successor to the Asus ROG Ally, it will be released on October 16, 2025. [2]
With the start of pre-orders on September 25, 2025, the prices in the European Union were officially confirmed: €599 (US$599.99) for the standard version (ROG Xbox Ally) and €899 (US$999.99) for the higher-end ROG Xbox Ally X. [3]
| Properties | Xbox Ally | Xbox Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $599.99 USD/ €599 | $999.99 USD/ €899 |
| Controls | ABXY buttons / D-pad / L & R Hall Effect analog triggers / L & R bumpers / Xbox button / View button / Menu button / Command Center button / Library button / 2x assignable back buttons / 2x full-size analog sticks / HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU | ABXY buttons / D-pad / L & R impulse triggers / L & R bumpers / Xbox button / View button / Menu button / Command Center button / Library button / 2x assignable back buttons / 2x full-size analog sticks / HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU |
| Processors | AMD Ryzen Z2 A [4] | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme [5] |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5-6400 | 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 2280 SSD | 1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
| Display | 7” FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120 Hz refresh rate/AMD FreeSync™ Premium (Variable Refresh Rate)/Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection | 7” FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120 Hz refresh rate/AMD FreeSync™ Premium (Variable Refresh Rate)/Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection |
| IO Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC) 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt™ 4 compatible 1x 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; UHS-I with DDR200 mode) 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
| Network and Communication | Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 290.8*121.5*50.7mm, 670g | 290.8*121.5*50.7mm, 715g |
| Battery | 60Wh | 80Wh |
Images of the device, then known under the codename "Project Kennan" (and referred to by some outlets as the "Asus ROG Ally 2", under the presumption that it was a Microsoft-branded variant of an ROG Ally successor), were leaked by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in May 2025 as part of its certification process. [6] [7]
The device was officially unveiled during Microsoft's annual Xbox Games Showcase presentation on June 8, 2025. [8] Prior to the announcement, Windows Central reported that Microsoft had allegedly cancelled a planned first-party Xbox handheld console in favor of focusing on "Project Kennan", as well as optimizations to Windows 11 to better support gaming handhelds. [9] [10] The device's marketing featured Hollow Knight: Silksong prominently; the game is slated to be available on the device upon launch. [11]
The ROG Xbox Ally will be released in two models; both models will feature AMD Ryzen Z2 APUs, with the low-end Ally featuring a Ryzen Z2 A (a quad-core processor based on Zen 2 microarchitecture with eight RDNA 2 graphics cores), and the Ally X featuring the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (an octa-core processor based on Zen 5 microarchitecture with sixteen RDNA 3.5 graphics cores and a neural processing unit). [12] The two models will feature 16 and 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM respectively, and have 512 GB and 1 TB of internal storage respectively. Both models use a 7-inch, 120 Hz 1080p IPS LCD display with variable refresh rate. [13] Use of an OLED screen was considered, but rejected because of concerns for power draw when combined with variable refresh rate. [14]
The devices will ship with Windows 11; they will be the first Windows devices to support a new mode that boots the system directly into the Xbox app, without loading the full Windows shell by default. The mode provides a console-like experience with less resource and power consumption, with Microsoft estimating savings of up to 2 GB of memory and a two-thirds reduction of idle power consumption. This mode will be a timed exclusive to Asus ROG devices on launch, and will be made available to other Windows-based gaming handhelds in 2026. The Windows user interface also received additional features designed to improve navigation on game controllers, including additional system settings available from Game Bar, controller support on the lock screen, and a new task switcher design. [15] [16] [17]
The handheld compatibility program is an effort between Xbox and game developers to test games for a more optimal handheld performance, ensuring that a game that would perform normally on a PC or standard console also translates well to the handheld with pre-mapped controls, visible text on a smaller screen, etc. Similar to Steam's compatibility check for controller usage and their Steam Deck, a game's menu will advise the user if the game they want to play is fully or partially compatible with the handheld, the latter suggesting that only a few tweaks need to be made for an optimal experience.
Despite the Xbox Ally family being a handheld, Xbox has incorporated it into its primary gaming ecosystem, allowing for Ally Users to access features like Xbox Game Pass and Play Anywhere cloud gaming. Additionally, select games purchased for PC or Xbox consoles are eligible to be played on the Xbox Ally systems, as part of the Play Anywhere program.
Play Anywhere cloud gaming requires an internet connection, in addition to a Game Pass Ultimate subscription, priced at $29.99 ( ~€26) a month as of the price increase announcement made on October 1, 2025
