Is the ROG Xbox Ally the Future of Handheld Gaming?
ASUS and Xbox are teaming up to release a new handheld device called the ROG Xbox Ally, and it looks like it might finally get handheld gaming right. There are two versions expected to launch later this year: the regular Ally and the upgraded Ally X. Both are built to run Windows 11 and give you easy access to Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net, and more.
It’s basically a small, powerful gaming PC made to look and feel like a portable Xbox. You get a full-screen Xbox-style interface, but you can still jump into the full Windows desktop whenever you want.
Specs Breakdown
Here’s what we know about the two models so far:
| Spec | ROG Xbox Ally | ROG Xbox Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 A (4-core/8-thread) | AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (8-core/16-thread with NPU) |
| Graphics | RDNA 3 integrated GPU | Higher-wattage RDNA 3 GPU |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 | 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD (upgradeable) | 1TB SSD (upgradeable) |
| Display | 7" 1080p, 120Hz, 500 nits | 7" 1080p, 120Hz, 500 nits |
| Battery | 60Wh | 80Wh |
| Weight | Around 670g | Around 715g |
| Ports | Dual USB-C, microSD, headphone jack | USB4, microSD, headphone jack, XG Mobile support |
| OS | Xbox-optimized Windows 11 | Xbox-optimized Windows 11 |
Both versions are bringing strong specs, but the Ally X gives you more memory, faster RAM, more storage, and better conditions if you want to use an external GPU later. The bigger battery is also going to help with longer play sessions.
What Can You Do With It?
Since it runs full Windows, you’re not stuck inside one app store. You’ll be able to:
- Play Xbox Game Pass games
- Use Steam, Epic, GOG, Battle.net, and any other PC launcher
- Stream games or download them directly
- Use mods and emulators if you want
- Connect it to a monitor and use it like a gaming PC
- Run Discord, OBS, or anything else you’d run on a desktop
It also comes with improved grips and (on the Ally X) actual impulse triggers, so it should feel more like an Xbox controller than a tablet with buttons.
Should You Be Excited?
We’re definitely keeping an eye on this one. Whether it becomes a must-have or just another handheld option really depends on how it performs once people start using it for more than just solo gaming.
What’s exciting here is the potential. Since it runs Windows, you could use it to manage your own game servers, whether that's through a VPS, cloud-based hosting, or even local tools. Imagine hosting a Palworld, Minecraft, or ARK server while playing on the same device or cross-playing with friends on Xbox, PC, or even mobile. That kind of flexibility isn’t something you usually see in a handheld. We’ll see how well it all works when the reviews and real-world tests start coming in.
