Microsoft has officially unveiled its new handheld gaming console, the ROG Xbox Ally, confirming years of industry speculation. Developed in partnership with Asus, the device is designed to provide mobile access to a user’s Game Pass subscription library.
The ROG Xbox Ally, a collaboration with Asus’s Republic of Gamers (ROG) division, marks Microsoft’s entry into the handheld gaming hardware market. Asus has been involved in the handheld gaming device sector since 2023 with its existing ROG Ally line. The new Xbox-branded models, which include the ROG Xbox Ally and the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X, are slated for release during the 2025 holiday season. Pricing for both variants has not yet been disclosed.
The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X will run on Windows 11, with Microsoft stating that the operating system has been optimised for these devices. Users will boot directly into a full-screen Xbox experience designed for handheld gaming. This includes an upgraded Game Bar, which integrates with Asus’s Armoury Crate software for quick access to controls and settings. The devices also feature a unified game library that aggregates titles from various PC storefronts, such as Steam, Battle.net, and GOG, alongside Xbox and Game Pass titles.
A key feature for Game Pass subscribers is the native support, allowing members immediate access to hundreds of titles from their subscription library directly on the handheld device. Microsoft confirmed that titles showcased at the Xbox Games Showcase will be playable on the new Xbox Ally models.
This announcement follows Nintendo’s launch of the Switch 2 just three days prior. The Switch 2, like its predecessor, functions as a hybrid gaming device, capable of both portable play and TV connectivity. Its market success, and that of Valve’s Steam Deck, a handheld PC offering access to PC game libraries, established a competitive landscape in the portable gaming sector. The Steam Deck, released in 2022, provides access to a user’s Steam library, though not all titles are optimised for the device.
Microsoft has previously explored handheld gaming concepts over more than a decade, with various projects being initiated and subsequently shelved. The ROG Xbox Ally represents the company’s latest effort to establish a presence in this segment. While Microsoft enters a market with established rivals, the direct integration with Game Pass is positioned as a significant advantage for its subscriber base, which currently exceeds 34 million.
The ROG Xbox Ally features a 7-inch full HD (1080p) IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium technology. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus with a DXC Anti-Reflection coating. The standard ROG Xbox Ally is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. The ROG Xbox Ally X, targeting more demanding users, includes an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chipset, 24GB of LPDDR5x RAM, and 1TB of storage.
Both models feature contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers and a dedicated Xbox button. They also include two USB-C ports (one with Thunderbolt 4 compatibility on the Ally X), a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack, along with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. The Ally model has a 60Wh battery, while the Ally X has an 80Wh battery. Both devices are capable of outputting video to external displays.
