Asus and Microsoft are set to release their collaborative handheld gaming PCs, the ROG Xbox Ally series, on October 16th. This exciting new line comprises two models: the standard ROG Xbox Ally and the higher-spec ROG Xbox Ally X. Both devices run a bespoke version of Windows 11 Home, meticulously crafted with a controller-first interface mirroring the familiar Xbox experience. This design prioritizes broad game compatibility across multiple storefronts like Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store, while streamlining the operating system for optimal performance on handheld hardware. Importantly, these devices play Windows PC games, not Xbox-exclusive titles.
Initially announced in June, the ROG Xbox Ally series boasts several shared features, including a vibrant 7-inch, 1080p IPS display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.4. However, the internal specifications differentiate the two models significantly. The base model, ROG Xbox Ally, utilizes an AMD Ryzen Z2 A chip, mirroring the hardware of the three-year-old Steam Deck. The ROG Xbox Ally X, on the other hand, features a superior AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, providing a considerable performance boost. The Ally X also includes a larger 80 WHr battery compared to the Ally’s 60 WHr.
The pricing remains undisclosed, making direct comparisons to competitors like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2 challenging. The ROG Xbox Ally X, with its 8-core Zen 5 CPU, 16-core RDNA3.5 GPU, 1TB storage, and 24GB of RAM, including a neural processing unit (NPU), promises a noticeably enhanced gaming experience. Conversely, the standard ROG Xbox Ally offers a more budget-friendly option with its 4-core Zen 2 CPU, 8-core RDNA2 GPU, 512GB of storage, and 16GB of RAM.
Microsoft’s commitment to software optimization further distinguishes the ROG Xbox Ally series. Similar to SteamOS, the company will introduce “Handheld Optimized” and “Mostly Compatible” labels for games, indicating their suitability for the platform. Additional features, slated for release early next year, include AI-powered super resolution and automatic highlight reel creation, leveraging Ally X’s NPU. While these features will initially be exclusive to the ROG Xbox Ally, Microsoft plans to integrate them into standard Windows, extending the enhanced gaming experience to a wider range of devices.
