The handheld gaming market is about to get more exciting with the release of two new devices: the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X. Created through a partnership between Xbox and Asus’s Republic of Gamers, these handhelds aim to stand out by bringing the Xbox gaming experience to a portable design.
Even with many great devices already available, these new handheld consoles are about to become popular, offering some cool features that will attract both long-time Xbox fans and people new to gaming. But are they a good value for the price? We’ve put together a guide to help you decide if one is right for you.
Let’s get started!
1. A Familiar OS With a Familiar Twist
While not the first handheld devices to run Windows 11, the Ally and Ally X are shaping up to be significantly more user-friendly. Early previews have consistently praised their Xbox-inspired overlay, and for good reason – it makes navigating the system much easier.
Handheld devices running Windows 11 have often struggled with performance because the operating system uses a lot of memory. Plus, using touch controls can make the on-screen interface difficult to navigate. Introducing an Xbox-style overlay – similar to what you see on Microsoft consoles – addresses both of these issues. It simplifies the user experience and frees up valuable memory, allowing the devices to run games more smoothly!
2. A Design That’s Appealing and Functional
Xbox controllers have historically been a strong point for the platform. Although competitors now offer excellent controllers as well, the Xbox controller remains a popular and attractive choice for gamers.
Fortunately, both devices are designed with the familiar and comfortable layout of the Xbox controller, and they’re built to feel solid but lightweight. This is especially important for handheld gaming, as you want a device that’s durable enough to handle being carried around and used on the go, while still being comfortable to hold.
3. Build A Library of Games
One of the biggest draws of the ROG Ally and Ally X is the ability to play your Xbox games on the go. But because these devices run Windows 11, you’re not limited to just Xbox games – you can also access games you own on other platforms like Steam, the Epic Games Store, and Battle.net, based on early looks at the devices.
This offers great flexibility, letting you play exactly how you want, and it’s a fantastic feature that makes these handheld devices incredibly useful.
4. Performance Profiles
The Xbox ROG Ally X is more powerful than the standard model, and recent details reveal just how much better it is. Its Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor and XDA NPU give it a significant advantage, potentially making it last for years to come. These features allow it to utilize artificial intelligence and improve the graphics of compatible games.
The Xbox Ally is a great device, but the Ally X is built for serious gamers. It’s designed to handle demanding games at maximum settings, even when connected to a 4K monitor and running other apps like Discord. Think about how you plan to use it before you buy to make sure you get the right one.
A helpful new feature clearly indicates how well each game runs on the handheld device – it’s a small detail that makes a big difference.
5. A Glaring Omission
Early reviews of both devices often mentioned the absence of an OLED screen. However, the LCD screens actually do a good job of providing immersive gaming with consistently smooth performance. Given the price of these handhelds, an OLED screen could be a key deciding factor for some buyers who are looking for the best possible experience.
For most people, the built-in screens will be perfectly sufficient and might even help lower the overall cost.
6. Boost Your Performance With ROG Accessories
If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you can significantly upgrade the Xbox ROG Ally X with the ROG XG Mobile 25. This addition will dramatically increase its processing power, performing similarly to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU. The result is smoother performance for demanding games, whether played directly on the device or on an external monitor.
This could really make the Ally X a flexible gaming machine. Unfortunately, because the Ally doesn’t have a USB4 port, it won’t be able to use this improvement. It’s a limitation of the device as it currently stands.
7. Memory and Storage
We’ve known the details of these two devices for some time, but it’s still worth highlighting a few key differences. The Ally doesn’t have a USB4 port, and it comes with 16GB of memory and a 512GB SSD. You can expand the storage by adding a compatible SSD or a UHS-II microSD card.
The Ally X outperforms its counterpart with a powerful configuration: 24GB of RAM and a 1TB solid-state drive that can be expanded using a standard 2280 SSD. This significant difference in specs explains why the two models have different price points, which we’ll discuss shortly.
8. Your Devices, Your Setup
Both devices can connect to external monitors, keyboards, mice, and Xbox controllers. This makes them ideal for gamers who want more control and a bigger screen when playing at home, but still enjoy the portability of gaming on the go. It’s a fantastic way to easily switch between both experiences.
9. Xbox Game Bar Integration
As an Xbox fan, I’m really excited that the ROG Ally and Ally X both come with Xbox Game Bar built right in! It’s super handy – I can easily take screenshots, keep an eye on how my games are running, connect with friends, and customize it with all sorts of useful widgets. It’s a really nice addition that adds a lot of value to the handheld experience.
Personalizing your new devices is a fantastic way to make them feel special, and it also unlocks helpful features that bring a PC or console-like gaming experience to your handheld devices.
10. Xbox Cloud Integration
We already knew Xbox Cloud gaming was coming to the Ally and Ally X handhelds, but to stream games while you’re away from home, you’ll need a current Xbox Game Pass subscription.
If you’re not happy about the price increases for Xbox subscriptions, you can always just keep playing the games you already own from different stores.
11. Playing Things Cool
Early reviews indicate this device stays comfortably cool to the touch, but its built-in fans can be quite noisy. If you’re sensitive to loud sounds, you might want to consider getting a good pair of headphones to use with it.
Overall, it’s beneficial to have a device that doesn’t overheat easily, and we think the noticeable fan noise is a reasonable compromise to achieve that.
12. A Weight on Your Wallets
These impressive features come at a cost. The ROG Xbox Ally is priced at $599.99, and the more powerful Ally X costs $999.99. You can already place your preorder, so if you’re interested in either of these handheld devices, now’s the time to get one!
13. Watch Out for Play Anywhere
If you’re planning to use the Ally or Ally X to play your Xbox games while traveling, it’s important to see which games will actually work. Only games that are part of the Xbox Play Anywhere program – which allows developers to release games on both Xbox consoles and PCs from a single purchase – are compatible with the handheld devices.
Despite being branded as Xbox consoles, these devices are fundamentally PCs running Windows 11. If a new game isn’t compatible with the Xbox service, a straightforward solution is to buy the PC version from platforms like Steam or the Epic Games Store.
14. Watch out for Crashes
Early previews showed some potential for crashes on the new handheld devices, but reviewers believe these problems are likely to be fixed before the final product is released. The issues could simply be due to the preview units running early, unoptimized software that will be improved before the devices are officially available.
15. Asus Armory Crate Launcher Built-In
ROG fans will be happy to know the Xbox Ally and Ally X include Asus Armory Crate. This software provides a wide range of tools to customize your gaming experience on either device, offering lots of options to personalize settings. It’s a great feature resulting from the partnership between Xbox and Asus.
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2025-10-16 17:43