For years, Xbox fans watched from the sidelines while Nintendo ruled the portable market and PC gamers tinkered with their Steam Decks and ROG Ally setups. Now, Microsoft has finally shown up to the handheld party—and not with some half-baked side project, but a fully playable, portable machine that feels like it was actually built with gamers in mind. The ROG Xbox Ally comes in two flavors: the standard Xbox Ally, and the beefier, premium Xbox Ally X. Both are powered by Windows 11 but dressed up in an Xbox-friendly suit that skips the usual Windows clutter. The goal? Turn on your handheld and jump straight into your games—no updates, no hunting for icons with a joystick, no fiddling with obscure settings. Just play.
Let’s see what it is, what you can expect from it, and how it stacks up to its competition in 2025.
What’s Inside: Xbox Ally Specs and Software
The Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X might look similar on the outside, but under the hood, they pack some key differences.
Xbox Ally (base model):
- Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 A
- RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 512 GB SSD
- Battery: 60 Wh
- Display: 7-inch 1080p, 120 Hz, FreeSync
- Weight: Around 670g
Xbox Ally X (premium model):
- Processor: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (with built-in AI processor, or NPU)
- RAM: 24 GB LPDDR5X
- Storage: 1 TB SSD
- Battery: 80 Wh
- Display: Same 7-inch 1080p, 120 Hz screen, but with Gorilla Glass Victus
- Weight: Slightly heavier at ~715g
- Extras: Hall-effect impulse triggers, USB-C 4 with Thunderbolt, improved thermals
From a hardware perspective, the Ally X is clearly the powerhouse of the two. It’s built for longer sessions, faster load times, and smoother gameplay at higher settings. But even the base Xbox Ally offers a very capable setup—especially for Xbox Cloud Gaming or lighter Steam games.
What really sets both models apart isn’t just the raw specs. It’s the software experience. They run Windows 11 under the hood, but Microsoft’s new full-screen Xbox UI hijacks the boot process and takes you straight into your game library. This isn’t some skin or launcher—it’s a full interface made for thumbs, not mice.
No more dragging a cursor to find your desktop icons. Instead, you boot up and land in an Xbox-style dashboard. You get:
- Native support for Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Cloud Gaming
- Remote Play if you’ve got an Xbox Series X or S at home
- Full access to Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, Battle.net, and even emulators
- Support for mods, add-ons, and all the messy PC stuff—if that’s your thing
In short, it plays nice with Xbox, but also gives you the freedom of a proper gaming PC.
Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: What’s Actually New?
This is where a lot of confusion starts. ASUS already has a product called the ROG Ally, which dropped back in 2023. That version used AMD’s Z1 and Z1 Extreme chips and had a pretty powerful screen and build. But it was very much a PC first and a console… never.
So what’s the difference with the new Xbox Ally?
For starters, the Xbox Ally adds Microsoft’s UI and ecosystem into the mix. It feels less like a laptop pretending to be a console and more like an actual console that happens to run Windows.
The Xbox Ally X also sports:
- More RAM and storage (24 GB and 1 TB vs 16 GB and 512 GB)
- A larger battery (80 Wh vs 40 Wh on the original Ally)
- Hall-effect triggers and better ergonomics
- A Thunderbolt 4 port, which future-proofs it for high-speed accessories
The older ROG Ally is still a solid machine for power users who don’t mind tinkering. But the new Xbox-branded versions offer a smoother, cleaner experience—and a more console-like feel.
Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck: Raw Power or Ecosystem Loyalty?
Ah, the Steam Deck. Valve’s handheld wonder child has been the go-to for PC gamers on the move. And for good reason—it’s affordable, powerful enough, and runs SteamOS like a dream.
But the Xbox Ally X goes toe-to-toe with the Steam Deck… and wins on most fronts:
- Performance: The Ally X is significantly faster, especially with its AI-boosted Z2 Extreme chip.
- Display: 120 Hz with FreeSync vs the Deck’s 60 Hz panel.
- Storage: 1 TB out of the box, vs Steam Deck’s standard 256 to 512 GB.
- Software: Windows 11 means the Xbox Ally can run almost any game launcher. Steam Deck is locked to Linux unless you dual-boot.
That said, Steam Deck has its own charm. Its UI is sleek and simple, battery life can be more predictable, and the price tag is easier to swallow. If you just want to play Steam games and tinker a bit, it’s still a great option.
But if you’re eyeing Xbox Game Pass, mods, or the freedom to flip between launchers on the fly, the Xbox Ally X might be the more versatile pick.
Xbox Ally vs Nintendo Switch 2: Different Worlds
Apples and oranges. Both consoles are portable, but built for totally different experiences.
- Power: Xbox Ally X absolutely outclasses the Switch 2 in graphics and frame rate. Think 60 fps at 1080p on AAA PC titles.
- Games: Switch 2 wins on exclusives. If you’re into Zelda, Mario Kart, or Animal Crossing, you know the drill.
- Flexibility: Xbox Ally lets you mod, stream, sideload, and tweak. Switch 2 is locked to Nintendo’s ecosystem.
- Battery Life: Xbox Ally X has a bigger battery, but uses more power. Expect 2 to 6 hours depending on your settings. The Switch 2 probably lasts longer, but we’ll need real-world tests.
The real question is this: do you want convenience and iconic exclusives, or performance and total control?
If it’s the former, Switch 2 is still king. But if you’re ready to take your entire PC gaming life on the road, the Xbox Ally X is in a league of its own.
Is It Worth It?
Let’s be honest. This isn’t a casual purchase. There’s no word on the price tag yet, but all signs point to something in the $599 to $999 range depending on the model. It’s an investment—one that blurs the line between console and PC more than anything else on the market right now.
That said, the Xbox Ally X feels like the first handheld that actually gets it. It balances power, portability, and polish in a way that makes sense in 2025.
You’re not buying another device that needs constant tweaking. You’re buying something that turns on, boots up Xbox, and just works.
Comparison Table
FAQ: What You Need To Know
- Q: Is the Xbox Ally the same as the old ROG Ally? Nope. The Xbox Ally is a new model with a revised UI, better Xbox integration, and a slightly different chipset. It’s easier to use and more console-like.
- Q: Can I play Xbox games on it without owning an Xbox? Yes! You can use Xbox Cloud Gaming with a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Remote Play is only for those who already own an Xbox console.
- Q: Does it support Steam, Epic, and other launchers? Absolutely. It’s a Windows 11 machine at heart, so anything you can run on a PC, you can run here.
- Q: How long does the battery last? About 2 to 4 hours for the base model on heavier games. The Ally X can stretch closer to 6 hours on moderate use thanks to its 80 Wh battery.
- Q: When is it launching? Holiday 2025 in the US, EU, and several parts of Asia.