Photo credit: SpawnPoiint
Preorders for Microsoft’s new portable gaming push began today, along with the prices for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. Both will be available on October 16, but the pricing has already sparked some concerns. These handhelds, priced at $599 for the base model and $999 for the X, are more comparable to high-end laptops than the consoles that many gamers are accustomed to.
Prices vary according on region, currency, and tax. In the United States, the regular ROG Xbox Ally is $599.99, while the ROG Xbox Ally X is $999.99. In the United Kingdom, the prices are £499.99 and £799.99. In Europe, the base model costs €599.99, while the X costs €899.99. In Canada, the standard model costs $799.99 CAD, while the X costs $1,299.99 CAD. Australia costs $999 AUD for the Ally and $1,599 AUD for the X. Not surprising to anyone who has been tracking the rise in portable gaming prices, but it does place Microsoft’s first branded handhelds in a premium position from the start.
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Buyers can easily distinguish between the two models due to hardware variations. The ROG Xbox Ally sports a 512GB SSD, 16GB of RAM, and a brand-new AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor. That chip makes use of older Zen 2 CPU cores and RDNA 2 graphics, with a power consumption of 6-20w. It functions similarly to a Steam Deck, providing reliable performance for the majority of games. The ROG Xbox Ally X features a 1TB SSD, 24GB of RAM, and an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor. 8 Zen 5 CPU cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, delivering 15-35 watts of power. Both have a 7″ FHD 120Hz display, Xbox-style grips for extended play sessions, and a Windows 11 installation with minimal desktop clutter, just controller-friendly navigation and a Game Bar for switching between apps.
Software ties everything to Microsoft’s ecosystem in ways that feel seamless on a small screen. Owners boot up to a full Xbox interface, pulling in libraries from Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere titles, Battle.net and more. Over 1,000 games sync across console, PC and now handheld with one purchase. Remote play streams full console setup from home, while cloud gaming lets you pick up where you left off on your commute. A new Handheld Compatibility Program flags titles that run smooth on these devices—thousands at launch are optimized or mostly ready. Every unit comes with three months of Game Pass so you can play hundreds of games right away. An Xbox button brings up overlays for chatting, quitting games or tweaking settings via Asus’s Armoury Crate tool. Background tasks are quiet so more resources are available for what’s on screen.
Accessories round out the package for those building a travel kit. Preorders come with options like a SanDisk microSD card up to 2TB, 200MB/s reads for fast loads on the go. Seagate’s FireCuda 530R SSD comes in 1TB, 2TB or 4TB and supports Microsoft DirectStorage for faster asset loading. A ROG carrying case fits the handheld and 65W charger pouch, with water resistant fabric and soft lining to protect daily bumps. More accessories are coming down the pipe to expand storage or protect the device for holiday travel.
