ROG Xbox Ally Price Delay (& Ongoing Rumors) Is Problematic

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During Gamescom’s live stream, Xbox announced the long-awaited release date for their new handheld device, dubbed the ROG Xbox Ally. Set to launch on October 16th, pre-orders are expected to start soon. However, Microsoft has yet to disclose the price of this handheld console. The delay, rumored to be caused by economic monitoring, raises some concerns.

For some time, I’ve been monitoring the progress of the portable gaming market. With the arrival of devices like the Switch 2, Steam Deck, and now the ROG Xbox Ally, choosing a handheld console has become less straightforward compared to before as we now have multiple choices. However, these options are becoming more costly, particularly in the United States, due to ongoing tariff uncertainties. Additionally, Microsoft keeping silent about the pricing for the ROG Xbox Ally isn’t a good sign regarding its eventual price tag.

ROG Xbox Ally X Price Rumored to Be Nearly $1000

Speculations regarding the ROG Xbox Ally’s pricing have been swirling around for some time now. While it may seem that Microsoft is aiming to compete with the Switch 2, the alleged prices place it beyond that bracket. The majority of rumors hint at a $550 USD price point for the relatively affordable and less potent Xbox ROG Ally model. On the other hand, the more expensive and powerful Xbox ROG Ally X is said to be priced at $900 USD according to most whispers.

For the base model, the price tag is $100 higher than the present Switch 2 cost, with the Ally X clearly surpassing it. To put it into perspective, if the pricier model indeed retails at $900 USD, it would be about $300 more expensive compared to the top-tier Steam Deck. This hefty price tag is rather steep for any console, but particularly a handheld device that’s easily damaged due to its portable nature. Frankly, I’m not comfortable with the idea of lugging around something valued at close to $1000, knowing it could accidentally slip out of my hands and result in a costly mishap.

The reported prices for the ROG Xbox Ally X are astonishingly high, suggesting it could be the costliest console available, not just the priciest handheld. However, since Microsoft hasn’t confirmed these prices yet, the rumors may not provide a complete understanding of the situation.

Silence Suggests Pending Price Increase Above Already Steep Rumors

Without suggesting a reluctance to acknowledge high prices, there appears to be no compelling reason for Microsoft to delay announcing the pricing of its new handheld console. My assumption is that they might be hesitant to reveal the price at this moment because they’re contemplating a possible adjustment in it. In today’s context, “price change” often signifies “price hike.

As a dedicated gaming enthusiast, I’m excited about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, but it seems that its announcement was met with an early wave of US tariffs. Fortunately for us gamers, Nintendo decided not to increase the price of the Switch 2 in the US right away.

Similarly, Microsoft might be learning from this situation with the ROG Xbox Ally. Instead of revealing the prices now and potentially having to adjust them due to the impending August 29th tariff changes, they might choose to wait until after the changes take effect to announce the final prices. After all, who wants unexpected price increases?

Here’s to hoping for clearer market conditions and a smooth reveal of these exciting new gaming consoles!

It’s not that I fault them, but it’s concerning indeed. The gaming world seems to be headed towards a more costly route as games escalate to approximately $80 and older console prices rise instead of dropping. This means staying current with games in 2025 might become quite an expensive endeavor. With Xbox yet to confirm the pricing for its ROG Xbox Ally, it’s speculated that the rumored prices could be lower than the actual ones. Unfortunately, this could spell trouble for gamers everywhere.

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2025-08-22 21:45