The long-teased dream of a true Xbox handheld is finally about to be reality. Microsoft has officially partnered with ASUS to launch the ROG Xbox Ally and its beefed-up sibling, the ROG Xbox Ally X, a pair of Windows-powered handheld consoles that merge the flexibility of PC gaming with Xbox’s subscription ecosystem. The official release date is locked for October 16, 2025—and it could mark a turning point for handheld gaming.
The Specs Behind the Screen
The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are built to deliver console-quality gaming in a portable shell. Both devices sport 1080p displays with 120Hz refresh rates, optimized for Xbox Game Pass titles but equally capable of running Steam, Epic, or any PC storefront. The base Ally is expected to land around $599, while the Ally X will pack stronger internals, longer battery life, and additional storage, with pricing closer to $899.
In practice, this means Halo Infinite, Starfield, or Forza Motorsport can be played on the bus or at a café without tethering to a home console. The devices run a stripped-down version of Windows tailored for controller input, making it easy to jump between cloud streaming and native installs.
Gamepass in Your Pocket
The big play here isn’t just hardware. It’s ecosystem. Xbox Game Pass, with its rotating library of hundreds of titles, is the lifeblood of these handhelds. Cloud streaming fills in the gaps when you’re away from Wi-Fi or don’t have space to download massive installs. Microsoft clearly envisions the Ally series as an extension of the Xbox family—like a portable armory that ensures players never break their streaks or miss out on day-one releases.
Rivals in the Field
The Ally series enters a crowded but exciting handheld market. Valve’s Steam Deck, Lenovo’s Legion Go, and Sony’s more modest PlayStation Portal have each carved out space. But where the Ally series differentiates itself is in Xbox’s official blessing and seamless integration with Game Pass. The strategy feels less like competing with Steam Deck and more like competing with the Nintendo Switch’s dominance in casual portable gaming.
A Bold Move for Xbox
This launch comes at a critical moment for Microsoft. After years of struggling to match Sony’s PlayStation in console sales, Xbox has pivoted toward building a broad ecosystem rather than relying on one box under the TV. The Ally partnership with ASUS pushes that idea to its logical conclusion: Xbox isn’t a console, it’s a platform that follows you everywhere.
October’s launch will be the first test. If the Ally can deliver stable performance, long enough battery life, and intuitive software, it may not just be an Xbox experiment—it could be the start of a new handheld era.