The Asus ROG Ally 2 May Have an Xbox Button and Wonky Grips
The Xbox handheld is reportedly real, and it already looks really strange compared to PC handhelds we're used to. Leaked images found on government certification sites offer a glimpse into what is likely Asus' upcoming ROG Ally 2. It's a successor to the ROG Ally released in 2023 and expected to have a more powerful processor and a dedicated Xbox button. While the Asus-Microsoft handheld is turning away from the Steam Deck's brick-like design, the idea of contoured grips may be the thing that takes this device over the top.
91Mobiles found entries at Indonesia's certification office referencing two new models for the Asus ROG Ally 2, and VideoCardz dug up Wi-Fi module listings from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission that you can now see for yourself. Judging by the timing for these filings, we could see the new ROG Ally 2 PC handheld and the Xbox version as soon as this month, perhaps during the Computex computing conference in Taipei, Taiwan set for May 19.
ROG Ally 2
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RC73YA White 20V 3.25A 65Whttps://t.co/jgx4HFHUUu https://t.co/QUwZwa8t9a pic.twitter.com/dq3CP2SbA9
— Huang514613 (@94G8LA) May 7, 2025
Included in the leaked specifications and images are two models of the supposed sequel to the ROG Ally (though we expect the real deal won't be absolutely filthy with fingerprint smudges). Both the black and white versions house a separate button to the left of what's normally the switch to access Asus' Armoury Crate software. The black version includes an outline for what appears to be the Xbox logo, which indicates this could be the device's rumored Xbox button. The switch may allow quick access to the Xbox app or some other function for the model running Windows. We won't know until we eventually see it in person.
Specs-wise, the ROG Ally 2 could be on the higher end of modern handhelds with a 7-inch, 120Hz LCD display and an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip that was announced alongside the Lenovo Legion Go 2 back during CES 2025. The black Xbox version may be even more powerful. That APU (accelerated processing unit) is an 8-core processor with a max 36W TDP (thermal design power), allowing it to draw more power from the battery for better in-game performance. The less powerful Ally 2's processor sits at a mere four cores with a 20W TDP. It's very close to the processor that's in the Steam Deck. It may be closer in performance to the AMD Ryzen Z2 Go based on the chipmaker's Zen 3 architecture found in the Legion Go S. The top-end Ally 2 may have up to 64GB of RAM. The versions spotted on the Indonesia listings reportedly came with up to 2TB of storage.
The most striking aspect of the new design is the two molded grips on either end of the device. While it looks odd compared to the traditional brick-like Steam Deck or older ROG Ally design, it actually reminds me more of the Xbox controller—in a good way. We all gave a little chuckle back when Sony released its PlayStation Portal since it was essentially a PlayStation DualSense controller split in half with a display in the middle. But, hell, I enjoy the feel of both the DualSense and Xbox controllers that contour around the palm. The only hangup I can see is whether your palms may dig into the sharp corners where the grips meet the device's main body.
There's a reason these designs for controllers stick around. The most comfortable handheld I've used is the 8-inch Legion Go S with its larger grips, but that device suffered from lower performance considering its $730 price tag. Both ROG Ally 2 models should have two USB-C ports on the top of the device (none on the bottom, apparently). The new handhelds should also have two back buttons, just like the original ROG Ally.
The $800 Asus ROG Ally X stood out from the pack because of its larger amount of RAM combined with an 80Wh battery that helped it last longer than other PC handhelds. We have yet to do our own tests of the Z2 Extreme APU beyond handling trying out the Legion Go 2 earlier this year. It seemed powerful enough, but time will tell how much. As it stands, the Intel Lunar Lake-powered MSI Claw 8 AI+ beats the Ally's Z1 Extreme chip in raw performance, but it now costs $1,000 and you'd be lucky to get one in the states. Judging by rising prices everywhere, we don't expect the ROG Ally 2 will be a cheap device by any standard.
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