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ASUS and Microsoft’s foray into the handheld console market with the ROG Xbox Ally has captured our attention and curiosity. Now that it’s almost time for its release, we’re here to keep tabs on where you can buy it.
With the massive popularity of the Nintendo Switch 2, handheld and hybrid consoles and gaming PCs have been in the spotlight lately. ASUS has previously released the ASUS ROG Ally, a similar device to Valve’s Steam Deck, but its new venture with Microsoft seeks to bring the Xbox console experience to a more portable battlefield. Whether through cloud gaming or by download, your Xbox games won’t be locked to one location anymore.
The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are set to release on 16 October 2025. Despite that, they’re not yet available to pre-order. Even more surprisingly, the price hasn’t been officially unveiled. This has led to much speculation, with reports of accidental leaks and fluctuating figures – including a listing on Amazon that quickly disappeared. For now, we’re keeping our eyes and ears open and letting you know as soon as we discover more.
Register your interest: ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X
• ASUS: Register interest
• Currys: Register interest
• EE: Register interest
Live Updates
ASUS has started a countdown on its Facebook page in preparation for pre-orders. The price reveal and pre-order availability are expected to drop in a few hours at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET, which should roughly align with 1 am on Friday, 26 September, for the UK.
– 25 September 2025 16:30
Photos of promotional materials, allegedly posted by an Argos employee, suggest that the ROG Xbox Ally will retail for £499.99. It’s not official, but it’s all we’ve got to go on currently (despite launch day being less than a month away).
– 25 September 2025 15:00
ROG Xbox Ally pre-order date: When will it go live?
The familiar Xbox interface, now on a handheld body ©Xbox
We don’t officially know when pre-orders for the handheld console will be available, but we’re expecting them to go live soon.
When will the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X be released?
Both versions of the ROG Xbox Ally are expected to be released on 16 October 2025. Depending on the delivery and retailer, the arrival time may vary.
How much does the ROG Xbox Ally cost?
We still don’t know the official price of the ROG Xbox Ally. However, leaks and rumours have hinted towards it being around £500. This is comparable to the ASUS ROG Ally, another handheld of a similar technical power level.
How much does the ROG Xbox Ally X cost?
We also don’t know the official price of the ROG Xbox Ally X yet. It’s anticipated to be priced a few hundred pounds higher than the standard Xbox Ally, so we estimate it to be around the £800 mark.
What’s the difference between the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X?
The design is reminiscent of an Xbox controller ©Xbox
The Xbox Ally X will be a more enhanced and powerful machine. It will have larger storage, higher RAM, and a better CPU. Both versions will have a seven-inch FHD anti-reflection screen, FreeSync Premium, and a 120Hz refresh rate.
What games can you play on the ROG Xbox Ally?
Tested games will have a symbol to show that they are compatible ©Xbox
As the ROG Xbox Ally functions similarly to the Steam Deck, it has a wide selection of compatible titles. The Xbox Ally allows users to use different storefronts, such as Steam and the Epic Games Store. Games that have been officially tested and recognised as compatible will be listed as such, but other titles may still be playable. As it is an Xbox device, Xbox Game Pass should have plenty of compatible games.
Throughout the ROG Xbox Ally marketing, Hollow Knight: Silksong has made repeated appearances, so that is one game that is highlighted for being well-suited for the handheld console.
It is worth noting that handheld consoles tend to struggle to play AAA games at high graphic settings, so although the ROG Xbox Ally looks to be very powerful, it’s likely that the overall performance will benefit from the graphics being set to medium settings.
How does the ROG Xbox Ally compare to other handheld consoles?
With other notable handheld consoles already on the market, we’ve examined how the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X compare.
| Handheld Console Spec Comparison | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Device | Screen Size | Refresh Rate | Res. | Storage | RAM | CPU |
| ROG Xbox Ally X | 7″ | 120Hz | FHD | 1TB | 24GB | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 |
| ROG Xbox Ally | 7″ | 120Hz | FHD | 512GB | 16GB | AMD Ryzen Z2 A |
| ROG Ally | 7″ | 120Hz | FHD | 512GB | 16GB | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| Switch 2 | 7.9″ | 120Hz | FHD | 256GB | 12GB | Custom NVIDIA |
| Steam Deck OLED | 7.4″ | 90Hz | 1280 x 800 | 512GB/1TB | 16GB | Zen 2 |
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Kyle Purves is a tech writer and reviewer. They specialise in all types of tech and electronic products, including TVs, monitors, speakers, headphones and consoles.
They are passionate about gaming and are always seeking ways to improve their visual setup. They’re also no stranger to hunting down savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, building Gundam models, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults free at the same time is easier said than done.
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