The ROG Xbox Ally is a second-generation handheld console co-developed by Microsoft and Asus, released globally in 2025.
Spec Table
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Maker | Microsoft & Asus |
| Type | Handheld |
| Generation | 2nd generation |
| Release Date | US: 2025; UK: 2025; Canada: 2025; Australia: 2025; Japan: 2025; Europe: 2025; Brazil: 2025; China: 2026 |
| Launch Price | $599.99 USD |
| Units Sold | Not documented |
| Media | Not documented |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen Z2 A (quad-core) with 8 RDNA 2 graphics cores; Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme variant (octa-core) with 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores and neural processing unit |
| Predecessor / Successor | ASUS ROG Ally / Not documented |
History
Asus and Microsoft unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally under the codename Project Kennan at the Xbox Games Showcase on June 8, 2025. The reveal marked Microsoft’s first deep hardware collaboration on a third-party handheld, positioning the device as a direct successor to the original ASUS ROG Ally from 2023. Rather than building its own dedicated Xbox handheld from scratch, Microsoft chose to embed its software experience directly into Asus’s existing hardware line, a strategy aimed at the growing second generation of PC-based handhelds competing with the Steam Deck.
The console launched globally on October 16, 2025, reaching stores in dozens of countries simultaneously, with Brazil following in December 2025 and China arriving in 2026. Asus shipped two configurations at launch: a standard ROG Xbox Ally built around the quad-core AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, and a premium ROG Xbox Ally X carrying the more powerful octa-core Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip with a built-in neural processing unit. Both models share an identical 7-inch, 1920×1080 IPS touchscreen running at 120Hz, but the Ally X pairs its stronger silicon with a larger 80Wh battery, more RAM, and double the internal storage of the base model.
The defining software feature of both models is the Xbox Full-Screen Experience, a custom interface that boots directly into the Xbox app rather than the standard Windows 11 desktop, cutting background resource usage so more of the hardware’s power goes toward games. A dedicated Xbox button calls up Game Bar overlays for stats, chat, and capture, while bundled Armoury Crate software handles performance profiles and RGB lighting. Asus also built in Xbox Game Pass access and cloud/remote play support, tying the handheld closely to Microsoft’s console ecosystem. Independent testing after launch found both models ran noticeably better under Linux than stock Windows 11, with the Ally X showing gains of up to 32% higher frame rates in some titles under the Bazzite distribution, and reviewers used the upcoming Hollow Knight: Silksong as a benchmark title for battery-life comparisons between the two models.
Library Highlights
Because the ROG Xbox Ally runs full Windows 11, its library spans the entire PC gaming catalog available through Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and other storefronts rather than a fixed set of exclusives. Coverage at launch and shortly after frequently highlighted one anticipated release in particular as a showcase for the hardware’s battery and performance profiles.
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
Variants
The ROG Xbox Ally launched in two hardware configurations rather than through later revisions: the standard model with the Ryzen Z2 A processor, and the premium ROG Xbox Ally X with the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, additional RAM, larger battery, and doubled storage. Both share the same display, form factor, and Xbox Full-Screen Experience software. No post-launch hardware revisions or regional rebrands are documented beyond this dual-SKU launch strategy. See the full Microsoft manufacturer hub for other systems the company released.
Collector Value
As a device still in its first year on the market, the ROG Xbox Ally has not yet developed the tiered condition grading typical of older retro hardware; new and lightly used units in original packaging remain readily available at or near retail pricing. Because it is a full Windows PC rather than fixed-media hardware, resale value will likely track functional condition, battery health, and included accessories (charger, case) more than cosmetic rarity for the foreseeable future.
Buying Guide
Since the ROG Xbox Ally is a current-generation handheld, buyers should confirm the original charger and USB4/Thunderbolt cable are included, since replacements can be costly. Check whether the listing is the standard model or the Ally X, as the price difference is significant and the two are easy to confuse in secondhand listings. Ask about battery cycle count and whether the unit has been used primarily on Windows or a Linux distribution like Bazzite, since either can affect wear patterns and resale expectations.
FAQs
When did the ROG Xbox Ally come out?
The ROG Xbox Ally released globally in 2025, with launches in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, Europe, and Brazil that year, followed by a China release in 2026.
How much did the ROG Xbox Ally cost at launch?
The standard ROG Xbox Ally launched at $599.99 USD.
How many units did the ROG Xbox Ally sell?
Unit sales figures for the ROG Xbox Ally are not documented.
What CPU does the ROG Xbox Ally use?
The standard model uses an AMD Ryzen Z2 A quad-core processor with 8 RDNA 2 graphics cores, while the premium Ally X variant uses the octa-core Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme with 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores and a neural processing unit.
What console came before the ROG Xbox Ally?
The ROG Xbox Ally succeeds the ASUS ROG Ally, continuing Asus’s handheld gaming line with Microsoft’s added software collaboration.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROG_Xbox_Ally
- https://rog.asus.com/us/gaming-handhelds/rog-ally/rog-xbox-ally-x-2025/
Facts on this page last verified 2026-07-15.