Xbox has officially revealed its branded handheld devices, and it’s fair to say there’s quite a bit to unpack. While the top-spec ROG Xbox Ally X grabbed a lot of headlines for its sheer power, I’m going to focus here on the standard ROG Xbox Ally, which is intended to be the more accessible option.
Announced in partnership with ASUS, who are already veterans in the Windows handheld space with their existing ROG Ally range, this device marks Xbox’s significant entry into the portable hardware market, albeit through a third-party collaboration. The big promise is bringing the core Xbox experience into a handheld form factor, allowing players to take their gaming library wherever they go.
Design and Ergonomics
First impressions count, and given you’ll be holding this device for potentially long stretches, ergonomics are absolutely crucial. The ROG Xbox Ally leans heavily into the familiar, drawing inspiration from the popular Xbox Wireless Controller design. It features contoured grips that are larger than the original ROG Ally and aim to provide all-day comfort. Early impressions suggest that holding it really does feel like holding an Xbox controller, which should make the transition natural for existing Xbox console players.
Weight has been a talking point for many handhelds, and the standard ROG Xbox Ally comes in at 670 grams. For context, that’s lighter than the premium Ally X (715g) and significantly lighter than the Legion Go (854g), but heavier than the original Steam Deck (640g) or the Switch models (Switch 1 at 400g, Switch 2 at 534g). While some might find this weight noticeable compared to a traditional console controller, the improved grip shape is designed to distribute it better and make it more comfortable than previous ASUS models.
Hardware and Performance
Under the bonnet, the standard ROG Xbox Ally is powered by the AMD Ryzen™ Z2 A Processor. Xbox describes this chip as offering a balance of performance and power consumption to maximise battery life without sacrificing gameplay quality. It’s coupled with 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM and comes with a 512GB M.2 2280 SSD for storage.
The Ryzen Z2 A processor is built on the Zen 2 architecture and features 4 CPU cores (8 threads) and 8 RDNA2 GPU cores. Interestingly, the sources indicate this configuration makes it more comparable to the AMD APU found in the Steam Deck than the more powerful Ryzen Z1 Extreme used in the original ROG Ally. While benchmark data isn’t available yet, this suggests the standard ROG Xbox Ally might not match the raw power of the higher-end handhelds for demanding AAA titles, but should be quite capable for a wide range of games, potentially excelling in efficiency. The move to a standard M.2 2280 SSD format is a practical plus, making storage upgrades considerably easier down the line compared to the smaller 2230 size used previously.
Display
Both versions of the new handheld, including the ROG Xbox Ally, feature the same 7-inch IPS touchscreen display. It boasts a full HD (1080p) resolution, a fast 120Hz refresh rate, and crucially, supports FreeSync Premium (VRR). VRR dynamically adjusts the display’s refresh rate to match the game’s frame rate, which helps to eliminate screen tearing and provides a smoother visual experience, especially when performance fluctuates. With a peak brightness of 500 nits, the screen should also be reasonably visible in various lighting conditions. It’s protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus with an anti-reflective coating. While an OLED panel might have been a nice upgrade, the IPS display is a proven performer and likely helps keep the cost down.
Software and the Xbox Experience
Perhaps the most significant differentiator is the software experience. Running on Windows 11 Home, the ROG Xbox Ally features a new full-screen Xbox interface that boots up directly when you turn on the device. This is a deliberate move to make the handheld feel more like a dedicated gaming console rather than just a Windows PC. The UI is designed for controller navigation and should feel instantly familiar to Xbox users.
A key benefit of this new interface is its ability to reduce or turn off unnecessary Windows background tasks, freeing up system resources like memory to improve gaming performance and framerates. There’s a dedicated Xbox button on the device which brings up an enhanced Game Bar overlay for quick access to settings, chat, performance monitoring, and other utilities without needing to minimise your game.
Crucially, while it bears the Xbox name and features Xbox integration prominently (including full support for Game Pass, Cloud Gaming, and Remote Play), the device isn’t locked into the Xbox ecosystem. Because it runs Windows, you still have the flexibility to install and play games from a wide array of PC launchers and storefronts, such as Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, and GOG. This open nature, combined with a unified library view showing all your installed games regardless of where you bought them, is a major draw.
Battery and Connectivity
Battery life is often the Achilles’ heel of powerful handheld PCs. The standard ROG Xbox Ally comes with a 60Wh battery. This is a notable increase over the 40Whr battery found in the original ROG Ally. Combined with the more efficient Z2 A processor and the OS-level optimisations designed to reduce background tasks, Xbox expects this to translate into improved battery longevity. While real-world testing is needed, this larger battery is a definite positive step.
For connectivity, the device includes two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports (supporting DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery 3.0), a UHS-II microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4.
The ROG Xbox Ally is shaping up to be a very interesting device. It takes the established Windows handheld formula and injects a strong dose of Xbox identity, particularly through its design and the new streamlined UI. For Xbox fans who’ve been eyeing a portable PC gaming experience but might be intimidated by Windows, this could be the bridge they’ve been waiting for. It offers the familiar feel of an Xbox controller, a console-like interface, and seamless access to the Xbox ecosystem, all while retaining the immense versatility of a Windows machine that can run games from any PC store.
While pricing is yet to be confirmed, the standard ROG Xbox Ally, with its Z2 A processor, seems aimed at balancing performance, efficiency, and value. It might not be the most powerful handheld on the market, but the focus on user experience, ergonomics, and battery life alongside broad game compatibility makes it a compelling option for casual players and enthusiasts alike. We’ll have to wait for the official price and launch during the holiday 2025 season to make a final judgment, but the prospect of a genuinely user-friendly Xbox-branded handheld PC is certainly exciting.
