Microsoft is expanding its hardware footprint in the portable gaming space with the introduction of the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X—two Windows-based handheld gaming devices built in collaboration with ASUS. Both are scheduled to launch during the 2025 holiday season across a broad set of markets, with wider availability expected to follow.
These devices mark Microsoft’s most deliberate step yet into a growing market led by products like the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go. With the Xbox Ally series, Microsoft aims to deliver a more console-like experience rooted in the Windows ecosystem while addressing many of the usability issues that have traditionally hindered Windows on handheld platforms.
The Xbox Ally handhelds will run Windows 11 out of the box, but instead of defaulting to the standard desktop interface, users will boot directly into a new “Xbox Experience for Handheld”—a full-screen launcher optimized for game discovery and performance. This interface centralizes access to games installed across multiple storefronts, including Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Battle.net, and Epic Games Store, and is designed to reduce background activity to allocate more system resources to gameplay.
Microsoft also promises improved navigation and control integration. The built-in Xbox Game Bar has been modified for handheld use, offering quick access to chat, settings, apps, and performance metrics. ASUS’s Armoury Crate software is also integrated, giving players more granular control over input and hardware tuning. Notably, accessibility features from Xbox consoles and Windows PCs are also included, though details about future improvements remain limited.
The ROG Xbox Ally comes in two configurations. The standard model features an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X memory, 512GB of SSD storage, and a 60Wh battery. The more powerful Xbox Ally X offers a Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and an 80Wh battery. Both models share a 7-inch 1080p IPS display with a 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, and Gorilla Glass Victus protection. Their physical dimensions are nearly identical, though the Ally X adds 45 grams to accommodate the larger battery.
Port selection includes multiple USB-C ports with DisplayPort and power delivery support, UHS-II microSD card readers, and 3.5mm headphone jacks. The Ally X’s I/O also includes Thunderbolt 4 compatibility.
Microsoft is positioning these devices not just as standalone gaming systems, but as extensions of the Xbox ecosystem. Support for Xbox Play Anywhere means users can pick up games across console, PC, and handheld with progress and achievements intact. Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play are also fully supported, further extending where and how users can play.
One area where Microsoft’s entry could be disruptive is game compatibility. Unlike Linux-based systems that require compatibility layers like Proton, the Xbox Ally runs native Windows, potentially sidestepping many of the issues that other handhelds face with anti-cheat software or launcher restrictions. That said, performance, thermals, and real-world usability will ultimately determine whether the Xbox Ally lives up to its cross-platform ambitions.
Microsoft also hinted at a new certification program—similar to Valve’s Deck Verified—that will help identify games optimized for handheld use, but no timeline has been given. Additionally, a partnership with Roblox is in place to offer a natively optimized handheld experience, signaling interest in a broader, younger gaming demographic.
Pricing for the Xbox Ally and Ally X remains unannounced, but Microsoft says further details on cost, accessories, and pre-orders will be revealed in the coming months. Initial availability will cover North America, Europe, Asia, and other key regions where ASUS’s ROG Ally line has already established a presence.
Whether Microsoft’s approach to handheld PC gaming will gain traction remains to be seen. But the Xbox Ally project shows the company is no longer content to leave this growing segment solely to third parties—and instead sees an opportunity to tightly couple Windows gaming with Xbox-branded hardware, even beyond the living room.
