Xbox gave gamers a big surprise at Summer Games Showcase by unveiling the long-awaited Xbox-branded handheld, set to arrive this holiday season in partnership with Asus ROG. Xbox has been dedicated to finding ways for gamers to enjoy their games and believes your games should follow you. Their collaboration with Asus solidifies that vision.
Together, the companies have unveiled two handheld devices designed for gaming, allowing the fun to follow you anywhere. The ROG Xbox Ally is the essential handheld meant for everyone, including enthusiasts. For the gamer who wants it all, the ROG Xbox Series X is for you, offering the highest level of performance, even for the most demanding players. Both consoles allow gamers to play natively via the cloud or remotely from their console in the next room.
Microsoft says players can look forward to a Windows 11 experience explicitly tailored for handheld devices, making it easy to use from the moment you power up your device. The Game Bar will make it easier to return home, browse, and launch or quit games. You’ll be able to easily connect and chat with your friends, all while being able to access the advanced features of your device with the Armoury Crate.
The specs of each device indicate that the ROG Xbox Ally is the consumer value model, featuring an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor under the hood, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. The ROG Xbox Ally X offers an experience for players looking at the highest level of performance. The ROG Xbox Ally X is powered by the AMD Ryzen 2 Extreme processor, enabling the most advanced AI experience. Double the storage for more on-device games and 24GB of RAM for the most demanding titles. Both models feature impulse triggers for a more immersive experience. Below is a table to compare the two devices
| ROG Xbox Ally | ROG Xbox Ally X | |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Comfort & input | Contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers deliver all-day comfort. 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 | Contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers deliver all-day comfort, complete with impulse triggers for enhanced control. 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 |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen™ Z2 A Processor | AMD Ryzen™ AI Z2 Extreme Processor |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 | 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 2280 SSD for easier upgrade | 1TB M.2 2280 SSD for easier upgrade |
| Display | 7” FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz refresh rate FreeSync Premium Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection | 7” FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz refresh rate FreeSync Premium Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection |
| I/O Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0 | 1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt™ 4 compatible |
| 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC) | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0 | |
| 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 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 | 290.8*121.5*50.7mm |
| 670g | 715g | |
| Battery | 60Wh | 80Wh |
| Included | ROG Xbox Ally 65W charger Stand | ROG Xbox Ally X 65W charger Stand |
Both devices are scheduled to launch this holiday season, with prices and accessories to be announced in the coming months. They’ll also be preorder information. You can signup here to be notified when preorders go live.
Check out the video below for a behind the scenes look at the new ROG Xbox Ally lineup.
