Microsoft Unveils ROG Xbox Ally And Ally X: AMD Ryzen Z2 And Unified Game Library

At the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, Microsoft officially announced its first handheld gaming console: the ROG Xbox Ally, developed in collaboration with ASUS. Available in two models—ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X—the devices aim to compete directly with the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2 by combining powerful hardware and a unified gaming ecosystem.

The standard ROG Xbox Ally targets budget-conscious gamers, while the Ally X is designed for enthusiasts who want full access to AAA titles on the go. Visually, both models adopt a more console-controller-inspired design compared to the original ROG Ally X. The base model comes in white, and the Ally X in black, mimicking the Xbox Series S and X color schemes.

Key design elements include the familiar Xbox-style button layout, textured grips, stereo front-facing speakers, and responsive Hall Effect triggers. Both models feature a 7-inch Full HD IPS LCD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium, 500 nits brightness, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC protection. However, the absence of OLED displays, even on the premium model, may disappoint some users.

In terms of performance, the standard ROG Xbox Ally includes the new AMD Ryzen Z2A chip, featuring a 4-core/8-thread Zen 2 CPU, RDNA 2 GPU with 8 cores, and configurable TDP from 6 to 20 watts. The Ally X is equipped with the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, offering an 8-core/16-thread Zen 5 CPU, RDNA 3.5 GPU with 16 cores, TDP from 15 to 35 watts, and a dedicated NPU (50 TOPS) for AI tasks.

The base version ships with 16 GB RAM and 512 GB storage, while the Ally X includes 24 GB RAM and 1 TB storage. Both devices run Windows 11 Home with a custom Xbox-like interface optimized for gaming, enabling access to titles from Steam, Epic, Battle.net, and Xbox Store via a unified library. Features like a simplified game-first UI, a redesigned game bar, and a dedicated Copilot Gaming assistant enhance user experience.

Microsoft confirmed native Roblox support, marking the start of an “optimized for handheld” game program. Buyers will also receive complimentary access to Xbox Game Pass, though the duration wasn’t specified.

The ROG Xbox Ally consoles will launch in Q4 2025 across 30+ countries, including the U.S., UK, Japan, and Portugal. Pricing and preorder details will be revealed in the coming months.

Specs

Filed in Gaming. Read more about Microsoft.