ROG Xbox Ally: Everything we know about the two new gaming handhelds from Microsoft and Asus
With these two new handhelds come new chips, a completely reimagined full-screen Xbox UI (hopefully, this means no more Windows 11 desktop on a handheld screen), and drastically boosted performance that could make these the best gaming handhelds you can buy today.
Let's get into what you're getting here, the games you'll be playing on them, and why Microsoft is finally on the right track to taking on SteamOS.
You're getting the new Xbox Ally in two flavors.
Category
Xbox Ally
Xbox Ally X
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Windows 11 Home
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 (upgradeable)
1TB M.2 2280 SSD (upgradeable)
Display
7" 16:9 FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection
7" 16:9 FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection
Graphics
AMD Radeon™ RDNA 3 Graphics
AMD Radeon™ RDNA 3 Graphics with AI Boost
Battery
60Wh
80Wh
I/O Ports
2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, microSD reader, 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
1x USB4 Type-C with Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, microSD reader (DDR200), 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Network
Wi-Fi 6E (2x2) + Bluetooth 5.4
Wi-Fi 6E (2x2) + Bluetooth 5.4
Audio
Dual Smart Amp speakers, Dolby Atmos, AI noise-canceling microphone
Dual Smart Amp speakers, Dolby Atmos, AI noise-canceling microphone
Dimensions & Weight
11.4 × 4.8 × 1.99 inches, 1.48 pounds
11.4 × 4.8 × 1.99 inches, 1.48 pounds
Launch Date
Holiday 2025
Holiday 2025
Price
Unknown
Unknown
If you saw the Project Kennan leaks earlier this year, you won't be too surprised by the looks of this new handheld. And while others have been saying this looks like a toy, I actually dig this form factor, along with the small nods to Xbox in this mostly-Asus aesthetic.
The proper controller grips look like this will give it a great hand-feel — something proper to hold onto.
So far, the only thing that's come close to establishing a good grip has been the new AMD-fuelled MSI Claw A8, but this looks set to take it to the next level. Oh, and you're also getting everything you'd expect from an Xbox controller like HD haptics and Hall Effect L and R triggers.
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Up front, you've got the same 7-inch 1080p panels across the pair, which are IPS screens with 120Hz refresh rate and protection courtesy of Gorilla Glass Victus. There are slight port differences here, as you're getting USB4 in the premium model, and in that pricier model, you're also seeing the battery capacity upgraded from 60Wh to 80Wh.
And trust me when I say that additional capacity is needed for what the new AMD chip is able to do.
But while the hardware design only hints at the Xbox partnership here and there, the software has had a dramatic overhaul to tackle some of the key problems we've been talking about for well over a year now. Just to address what they are:
Well, looks like Microsoft took this on board and has finally done something about it with the re-engineered Xbox app. Not only can you set it to full screen mode to just start up into it, but when you do so, all Windows 11 processes (including the desktop itself) will be disabled. That gives you up to 2GB of RAM back for gaming!
So not only do you get a re-engineered UI that gives you an aggregated gaming library across all your libraries like Steam and Game Pass, a controller-centric design for navigating zippily, but all that Windows overhead is being eliminated too, so you can make the most of your system's RAM.
As Jez Corden has added over at Windows Central, Xbox has confirmed that this new Xbox app and the re-tooled Windows 11 are exclusive to the Xbox Ally and Ally X until 'early 2026' when 'other devices like the Lenovo Legion Go' will start to get it too.
In terms of what is powering the games under the hood, you've got two fresh new chips from AMD: the Ryzen Z2 A and the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme. We've already caught a glimpse of these at Computex, but without the NPUs to deliver on the AI features.
The Ryzen Z2 A is a drastically cut back APU that seems to be aimed at lower-power gaming for indie titles and the such — packing 4 cores/8 threads and being built on the efficient 'Zen 2' architecture for performance configurable up to 20 watts. However, this does mean you're only getting AMD's 5-year-old RDNA 2 graphics.
But the real party starts with the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme — basically the laptop-centric Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chipset with a new name. 8 cores/16 threads running on AMD's latest Zen 5 architecture for the fastest multitasking, highest power output at 35 watts, and double the GPU core count.
The end result? As Microsoft confirmed, Gears of War: Reloaded is capable of running at a 'completely stable 1080p 60 FPS' according to Corden's Windows rep. That's AAA console gaming on a handheld with Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme!
As Xbox CEO Sarah Bond said herself, every game announced at the Showcase is Xbox Play Anywhere. So here's what got announced at the Showcase.
And of course, you have the rest of the Xbox Game Pass library, as well as anything you bought on Steam, Epic Games Store and more to play.
This is the big question mark that's getting me nervous. No company told me the price at Computex, and everybody is quiet here too, and that's because of the tariffs. Nobody wants to jump until they're 100% sure what is happening to all their components, and the uncertainty is driving the cost up.
Given these are full purchases with a docking station included too, I'd venture a guess and say the Ryzen Z2 A model is going to come in at around $500, and the top of the line could be anywhere between $800-$1,000.
Microsoft has confirmed that there are more accessories being announced soon, so stay tuned for a new case and maybe some device mods!
I've been clear about my problems with Windows gaming handhelds, and it looks like Microsoft's taken that personally.
On paper, these seem incredible with huge touted performance uplifts, fresh designs that look real comfortable to hold, and a real attention paid to stripping that Windows experience away to give you just the games.
We'll know more when we get some proper hands-on time with it closer to its launch this fall.
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