The upcoming ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds are the outcome of an alliance between Microsoft and ASUS, supported by AMD hardware. Last week, Xbox was eager to showcase the new features that may enhance your experience on Windows handhelds. According to reports, the Lenovo Legion Go handheld and MSI CLAW 8 AI+ are expected to support these features similar to the ROG Xbox Ally. Scheduled to be launched on October 16, 2025, it is rumored to cost around $549. While the Ally X may come at $899. Being excited, I personally tested them and wrote a comprehensive article to share everything you need to know about this handheld.
Although there are some drawbacks, such as the absence of an OLED display and fan noise, the collaboration between Microsoft and Asus has resulted in a formidable system. There is much to like about Rog Xbox Ally. Let’s get started.
ROG Xbox Ally Specifications
| Specifications | ROG Xbox Ally |
| OS | Windows 11 |
| APU | AMD Ryzen Z2 |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 2280 SSD |
| Display | 7-inch FHD, 16:9, 120Hz refresh rate IPS panel |
| Ports | 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1x micro SD card reader, 1×3.5mm headphone jack |
| Wireless Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Battery | 60Wh |
| Dimensions | 11.4×4.7×2.0 inches |
| Weight | 1.4 pounds |
| Included accessories | 1x 65W charger, 1x stand |
Key Features of the Rog Xbox Ally
Here are some of the key features of the handheld:
Limitless Playing Experience
The ROG Xbox Ally is designed for gaming and future-proof for your games, anytime and anywhere you play. I am amazed to see the latest PC titles and games included with Game Pass on ROG Xbox Ally powered by Windows. With Xbox Remote Play, you can easily play games installed on your Xbox console, including Game Pass titles, directly through your ROG Xbox.
With this new handheld, you can easily stream games from the cloud using Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta). This means you are free from long installations. Just hit the ‘Play’ button and stream. Though you need a Game Pass membership. You can play with your friends by connecting a TV and extra controllers with the help of ROG Bulwark or Gaming Charger Dock. Here is the future of Games with Switch, Xbox, and more that you must learn.
Full Screen Experience
A good handheld should feel good at first glance. When you power on ROG Box Ally, you can directly enter your preferred Xbox and PC games. Say goodbye to tutorials and learning resources, as you do not need to learn anything to play. The controls feel like home. The full-screen experience built around the controller is exactly what you need. You can easily access the Game Bar with the special button to see the system statistics, capture matches, or communicate with friends. Also, you can easily access the command center for quick settings and better customization.
Rog Xbox Ally Compatibility
The handheld compatibility program equips you to know when a game will play on your ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally. You can easily find out which games are compatible with the handheld. Stay worry-free. Simply launch your game and start playing from anywhere. Games that are mainly compatible typically require basic adjustments to be made on your supported handheld.
Battery Efficiency
With this handheld, you can easily travel and play games on the go with confidence, with its 60Wh battery. Activate Turbo mode for smoother gameplay or switch to Silent mode for quiet performance with the longest possible battery life. It’s upto you.
Things I liked About the ROG Xbox Ally
Performance
What do we expect from a good gaming handheld? Playing games smoothly with enough convenience to play on the go and easily switch titles. Well, ROG Xbox Rally ticks all these boxes. The handheld comes with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A chipset that is great for gaming. With 16GB of RAM, I found Forza Horizon 5 running on a combination of low graphics settings and Fidelity FX Super Resolution, courtesy of AMD, which contributed to its excellent performance.
While testing the handheld, I found total frames every second remain around 40-45 FPS, which is fair enough. However, this is something that makes it more of an indie gaming experience instead of something that I may trust with AAA titles.
Now, let’s understand the combination of the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme and 24GB of RAM associated with the ROG Xbox Ally, which is also found in the new lineups, such as the MSI Claw A8. Though it has an NPU for assisting with AI jobs in gaming, such as resolution scaling.
The handheld is connected to Windows 11, which benefits from some great frame rates. I personally turned on the system monitor and tested some games such as Doom: The Dark Ages and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.
Comfort
When it comes to comfort, I found the ROG Xbox Ally as the most comfortable gaming console I have ever used. It is inspired by an Xbox controller with longer grips, which makes it great for clutch. Moving forward, the buttons are placed for better ergonomics. Although it may feel slightly thicker than standard lineups like the Nintendo Switch 2 and MSI Claw 8 AI+, this will not affect your experience. It remains a compact and lightweight device, which I affectionately refer to as ‘ultraportable’. It feels like heaven when you use it. (Gamers can agree with me)
Xbox UI
No doubt, we have seen the same values from other Windows 11-powered gaming handhelds, but what makes the ROG Xbox Ally distinctive in terms of performance? If I say it is ‘efficient software’. Windows would also drop the performance and battery life of other handhelds. The OS runs the desktop and other required functions.
However, you will find the Xbox Ally booth directly integrated into the Xbox UI, which is not only an easy-to-use front end but also prevents unnecessary background noise. This provides sufficient space for the headroom in the chipset, and the RAM is fixed to emphasize gaming performance. As a result, you will find a dramatic increase in frames. You can also get an amazing controller-friendly interface, too. Here is some additional information about Xbox Game Pass Plans that you should review.
ROG Xbox Ally: Where It Lags?
It is worth considering a handheld of the times, but you should understand the couple of problems that I faced.
Noise Production
Heat production has always been a problem for PC gaming consoles, and ROG Xbox Ally is unfortunately continuing the legacy. Indeed, they are definitely good at lowering temperatures for sustainable performance, but you may get annoyed by the noise of the fans. Yes, this was disappointing for me to but you should pack some headphones for a noise-free experience.
Absence of OLED
Starting with an impressive color presentation, seamless frame rate, and a 7-inch 1080p panel, the ROG Xbox Ally is undoubtedly a good-looking handheld. However, if we weigh the leaked prices, I am a little disappointed as I could not see an OLED screen. No worries, it is still worth considering.
Wrapping Up
The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are set to launch on October 16 and are anticipated to rival the Nintendo Switch 2 in the gaming console market. Although the leaked price of this handheld is £500, it is yet to be confirmed. Also, it is exciting to see SteamOS on ROG Ally. Stay tuned with us to get the latest updates on the launch and reviews of this handheld.
