Gamers, brace yourselves. Microsoft just dropped news that could completely reshape the handheld gaming landscape, and it happened so quietly during the Xbox Games Showcase that you might have missed it. The ROG Xbox Ally isn’t just another gaming handheld, it’s Microsoft’s brilliant answer to the Steam Deck without actually building their own hardware.
Microsoft has partnered with ASUS to create the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, and after diving deep into the specs and capabilities, I’m convinced this could be the device that finally bridges the gap between PC gaming complexity and console simplicity.
Here’s everything you need to know about what might be the most important handheld release of 2025.
What Is the ROG Xbox Ally? (Partnership Explained)
Think of this as the best of both worlds: ASUS’s proven handheld hardware expertise combined with Microsoft’s software optimization magic. The devices run Windows 11 and include access to Steam, GOG, Ubisoft Connect, and other PC storefronts, but with a twist.
Two Models Coming This Holiday:
ROG Xbox Ally (Base Model):
- AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor with incredible power efficiency
- 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD storage
- 60Wh battery for improved battery life
- Hall effect analog triggers
- Predicted Price: $499-599
ROG Xbox Ally X (Premium Model):
- AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor with AI capabilities and 24GB of high-speed RAM
- 1TB of storage
- 80Wh battery and impulse triggers for enhanced control
- Predicted Price: $750-800
Both feature identical 7-inch 1080p displays with 120Hz refresh rates, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, and FreeSync Premium support. They’re releasing holiday 2025 in select markets including the US, UK, Germany, Japan, and many others.
Performance Deep Dive – How Does It Stack Up?
Let’s get real about performance expectations. The ROG Xbox Ally X won’t match your Xbox Series X, but it’s going to get surprisingly close in many scenarios.
What the Numbers Tell Us: The Radeon 880M integrated graphics can deliver well over 30 fps in games like Once Human and The First Descendant at 1080p on Low settings. That might sound modest, but remember, this is a handheld device with integrated graphics.
Gaming PC Comparison: The Z2 Extreme is essentially like having a solid mid-range gaming laptop in handheld form. We’re talking about an 8-core Zen5 processor with 16 GPU cores (RDNA 3.5), paired with 24GB of RAM in the X model.
To put this in perspective:
- Better than: Entry-level gaming PCs from 3-4 years ago
- Comparable to: Current $800-1000 gaming laptops with integrated graphics
- Real-world expectations: 1080p/30-60fps on medium to high settings for most games
The Z2 Series chips are next-gen gaming handheld processors offering faster CPU speeds, better power efficiency, better graphics, and newer architecture than Z1 Series. If the current ROG Ally X can handle most modern games well, this should be a noticeable step up.
TV Gaming Made Simple – Console Experience Anywhere
Here’s where things get exciting for couch gamers. Both systems will be capable of outputting video to a TV or monitor, as they have two USB-C ports with support for DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery 3.0.
Connection Options:
- Simple: All you really need to connect your ROG Xbox Ally X to your TV is a USB-C to HDMI cable
- Advanced: Use a docking station for charging while playing
- High-end: USB-C to DisplayPort cables support 4K/120Hz output for compatible displays
The magic happens when you dock it. Hold the M1 or M2 button on the back of the Ally and press X to bring up Windows Projection Mode. From there, you can choose to duplicate the Ally’s screen on the TV or extend the display.
Pro tip: Make sure you’re using an HDMI 2.1 cable and plugging into a 4K/120Hz compatible HDMI port on your TV for the best experience.
Controller Freedom – Not Just Xbox Controllers
This might be the biggest surprise: Microsoft isn’t locking you into Xbox controllers at all. Since the ROG Ally is powered by Windows 11, the good news is that your new handheld supports all kinds of controllers.
PS5 DualSense Compatibility: Press the PlayStation button and the Share button on your DualSense controller to put it in pairing mode, then connect via Bluetooth. Even better? The advanced features work:
- Adaptive triggers: Available when supported by the game
- Haptic feedback: Available when supported by the game and may require USB connection
- Built-in mic: Available on Windows PC when supported by the game
Other Controllers: This applies if you end up using a PlayStation DualSense controller or a Nintendo Switch controller with your Asus ROG Ally. Basically, if it connects via Bluetooth or USB, it’ll work.
The Only Caveat: The best kind of controller to use is one that has an Xbox layout with an ABXY button orientation. This doesn’t mean you can’t use other controllers; it’s just that with non-Xbox controllers, what you see on the controller won’t line up with what you see in your games.
So with a PS5 controller, game prompts might say “Press X” but you’d actually press Square. Minor inconvenience, but worth noting.
The Xbox Integration Magic
Here’s what sets this apart from every other Windows handheld: When you power on your ROG Xbox Ally, you’re dropped straight into the Xbox full screen experience, a console-inspired UI optimized for joystick and button controls.
Performance Benefits: The new Xbox app offers a full screen mode that disables background Windows processes, cutting idle power consumption by two-thirds and freeing up system resources. That’s not just better battery life, that’s more FPS in your games.
Gaming Library Access:
- Full Xbox Game Pass integration
- Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG compatibility
- Xbox Play Anywhere support for seamless progress across devices
- Cloud gaming and remote play from your Xbox console
Future-Proofing: Microsoft plans to roll out these features to other devices, such as the Lenovo Legion Go, starting in 2026, but for now they remain exclusive to the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X.
Who Should Be Excited?
This device seems tailor-made for several specific audiences:
Handheld Gaming Enthusiasts: If you’ve been waiting for a Steam Deck alternative with better Windows support and Xbox integration, this is it.
Xbox Ecosystem Users: Games that are Xbox Play Anywhere are yours to play across PC, Xbox console, and supported gaming handhelds at no additional cost. Your library follows you everywhere.
PC Gamers Wanting Console Simplicity: Tired of Windows being finicky on handhelds? The Xbox interface optimization could solve that frustration.
Parents and Busy Adults: The flexibility to game on the couch, in bed, or docked to the TV makes this perfect for time-strapped gaming sessions.
Multi-Platform Gamers: You can get the best gaming experience if you have docked the Asus ROG Ally to mirror display, which will still be compatible with the PS5 controller. Use your preferred controller regardless of platform.
The Bottom Line
The ROG Xbox Ally represents something we haven’t seen before: a true collaboration between a hardware manufacturer and a platform holder to create something better than either could build alone. ASUS brings proven handheld design, Microsoft brings software optimization and ecosystem integration.
This announcement comes just days after Nintendo released the Switch 2, which retails for just under $450. Microsoft is clearly making their move in the handheld space, and they’re doing it smart, through partnerships rather than competing directly.
If the pricing predictions hold ($499-799), this positions perfectly between the Switch 2 and premium gaming laptops. For Xbox Game Pass subscribers especially, this could be the portable gaming solution you’ve been waiting for.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: When does the ROG Xbox Ally release? A: Holiday 2025, with pre-order details coming soon.
Q: Will PS5 controllers work with the Xbox Ally? A: Yes! Full Bluetooth support including adaptive triggers and haptic feedback when games support them.
Q: How much will the ROG Xbox Ally cost? A: Pricing hasn’t been officially announced, but expect $499-599 for the base model and $750-800 for the X model.
Q: Can I play non-Xbox games on it? A: Absolutely. It runs full Windows 11 with access to Steam, Epic, GOG, and any PC game store.