ROG Xbox Ally Handhelds – A Game-Changer for Portable Gaming

The gaming world got a huge surprise at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 when Microsoft and ASUS unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, two new handheld gaming devices set to launch in holiday 2025. These handhelds promise to blend the power of Xbox with the flexibility of a Windows PC, making it easier to play your favorite games anywhere.

What Are the ROG Xbox Ally Handhelds?

The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are handheld gaming devices built by ASUS in collaboration with Microsoft. They run on Windows 11 but feel like an Xbox console in your hands, thanks to a custom Xbox full-screen interface. The goal is to let you play games from Xbox, Steam, Game Pass, Battle.net, and other PC storefronts, all on one portable device. You can play natively (games installed on the device), through Xbox Cloud Gaming, or remotely with your Xbox console at home. They’re launching in holiday 2025 in countries like the US, UK, Japan, and Australia, with more markets to follow.

The ROG Xbox Ally is the base model, designed for casual and enthusiastic gamers with a great balance of price and performance. The ROG Xbox Ally X is the premium version, built for hardcore players who want top-notch power and features. Both have a 7-inch 1080p screen, Xbox-inspired controls, and AMD processors, but the Ally X has extra perks like more storage and better haptics. I’m excited to try games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Gears of War: Reloaded on these devices, as they were highlighted in the announcement.

Setting Up the ROG Xbox Ally

While I haven’t held one yet (they’re not out until late 2025), the setup sounds straightforward based on Xbox’s details. You power on the device, and it boots directly into a new Xbox full-screen experience, not the usual Windows 11 desktop. This makes it feel like a console, with a clean interface for games and apps. You sign into your Xbox account to access Game Pass, your Xbox library, and cloud saves. The handhelds also connect to Steam, Battle.net, GOG, and other PC stores, so you can install games from multiple platforms.

The Xbox Game Bar, enhanced with ASUS’s Armoury Crate, lets you tweak settings, chat on Discord, or adjust controls without digging through Windows menus. I love that it supports Xbox Play Anywhere, so my progress in games like Hollow Knight: Silksong will sync across my Xbox Series X, PC, and Ally. The announcement mentions a dedicated Xbox button to pull up the Game Bar, making navigation easy with joysticks or buttons. For consoles like PS5 or Xbox, you’ll need to set it up via a router or PC hotspot, similar to other Windows handhelds.

Gameplay

The ROG Xbox Ally handhelds are built to play games anywhere, and they sound like a dream for gamers on the go. The Xbox full-screen mode minimizes background tasks, freeing up memory and boosting frame rates. This means smoother gameplay for titles like South of Midnight or Lies of P. In a preview from Game File, a reviewer played Gears of War: Reloaded on the Ally X and said it ran crisp and clear at 1080p 60 FPS, which is amazing for a handheld. I’m hyped to try Roblox natively, as Xbox is partnering with Roblox to optimize it for these devices.

• Native: Install games directly on the 512GB (Ally) or 1TB (Ally X) SSD. Both use M.2 2280 SSDs, so you can upgrade storage later.
  
• Cloud: Stream games via Xbox Cloud Gaming (requires Game Pass Ultimate). This is great for playing AAA titles without downloading.
  
• Remote Play: Stream games from your Xbox console at home, perfect for continuing your Starfield session on the go.

The aggregated game library is a huge win. Instead of juggling apps, all your games from Xbox, Steam, and other stores show up in one place. I tested a similar setup on my Steam Deck, and it was a hassle switching between apps, so this unified library sounds like a game-changer. The announcement also promises a program to mark games optimized for handhelds, so you’ll know which titles run best.

Performance

The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are packed with powerful hardware. The base Ally uses an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor with 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM and a 512GB SSD. It’s designed for 720p gaming with great battery life (60Wh). The Ally X steps it up with an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of LPDDR5X-8000 RAM, and a 1TB SSD, targeting 900p to 1080p gaming with an 80Wh battery. Both have a 7-inch 1080p IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, and Gorilla Glass Victus for durability.

In early previews, the Ally X handled Gears of War: Reloaded at a stable 60 FPS, which is impressive for a handheld. The Ally X’s impulse triggers add haptic feedback, so you’ll feel road bumps in racing games or gun recoil in shooters, as noted by The Verge. The base Ally is lighter (670g vs. 715g), making it easier to carry, but the Ally X’s bigger battery and Thunderbolt 4 port (for external GPUs) make it a beast for serious gamers. Both support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4 for fast connections, which I found crucial for cloud gaming on my Switch.

Key Features

• Xbox Full-Screen Experience: A console-like interface that hides Windows complexity, with fast access to games and apps.
• Unified Game Library: Play games from Xbox, Steam, Game Pass, and more in one place.
• Xbox Play Anywhere: Sync progress and achievements across Xbox, PC, and Ally.
• Ergonomic Design: Xbox-style contoured grips and buttons for comfort, with impulse triggers on the Ally X.
• Powerful Specs: AMD Ryzen processors and up to 24GB RAM for smooth AAA gaming.
• Gaming Copilot: An AI assistant via Game Bar to help you play better and connect with friends.

The handhelds also support accessibility features from Xbox and Windows, which is great for players with different needs. The integration of ASUS’s Armoury Crate lets you tweak performance, like overclocking or battery saving, which I loved on my ASUS laptop.

Who Are These Handhelds For?

• Casual Gamers: The base Ally offers great value for playing Balatro or Vampire Survivors on the go.
• Hardcore Gamers: The Ally X’s power suits AAA titles like Gears Tactics or Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
• Game Pass Fans: Access hundreds of games with cloud gaming or native installs.
• PC Gamers: Play Steam, Battle.net, and modded games with Windows flexibility.
• Travelers: Compact and portable for gaming on planes or in hotels.

However, if you only play on a big TV or don’t like Windows-based devices, a Switch 2 might be better. The handhelds’ weight (670–715g) is heavier than the Switch 2 (534g), which might tire your hands during long sessions.

Needs to be Improve

Since they’re not out yet, it’s hard to spot flaws, but there are concerns. Pricing is still unknown, but leaks on Pure Xbox suggest $499–$799 for the Ally and $899–$1,050 for the Ally X, which is steep compared to the Steam Deck ($349–$569). The Windows 11 base might confuse non-PC gamers, despite the Xbox interface. Some X posts worry about battery life for AAA games, as even the 80Wh battery on the Ally X might drain fast. I’d love a clearer list of optimized games at launch to avoid trial-and-error.

Summary

The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are shaping up to be incredible handhelds for 2025. They combine Xbox’s game library, Game Pass, and cloud gaming with the power of a Windows PC, all in a portable package. The Xbox full-screen experience, unified library, and strong specs make gaming on the go easy and fun. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore fan, these devices offer something special.

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