The handheld gaming market is heating up, and ASUS Republic of Gamers has thrown its latest contender into the spotlight with the ROG Xbox Ally and the upgraded Ally X. Both devices are now officially available in the UAE following a pre-order phase that kicked off in late September, with shelves stocked since October 16. For players who missed the early window, the handhelds are still drawing attention thanks to their combination of Windows-powered flexibility and console-inspired design.
ROG Xbox Ally x
At their core, the two models take different approaches to portable gaming. The ROG Xbox Ally, priced at AED 2,299, offers a lighter, more accessible entry point. It’s equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB of memory, a 512GB SSD, and a 60Wh battery, packed into a frame weighing just 670 grams. Its 7-inch Full HD display runs at 120Hz with FreeSync Premium, giving it the responsiveness needed for modern games while still being compact enough to carry anywhere.
The ROG Xbox Ally X, on the other hand, pushes into higher performance territory. With a Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and an 80Wh battery, it caters to gamers who expect longer sessions and stronger hardware headroom. It also introduces a neural processing unit, making it one of the first handheld PCs to actively prepare for AI-assisted features. ASUS has teased tools like automatic resolution upscaling for sharper visuals and automatic highlight reels — features that suggest handheld gaming is starting to lean into AI-driven enhancements.
Both devices benefit from ASUS’ collaboration with Xbox, which has helped fine-tune performance across a wide library of PC titles while keeping the control scheme familiar to console players. Because they run Windows, these handhelds also sidestep the ecosystem lock-in that competitors like the Steam Deck impose. That flexibility means gamers can install titles from Steam, Game Pass, Epic Games, or other platforms, while also using the system for productivity apps, media streaming, or creative work.
What makes the Ally series particularly compelling in the UAE is how it aligns with the lifestyle of players balancing study, work, and travel. Rather than being a gaming-only device, the Ally doubles as a compact PC that adapts to multiple roles. For some, it may even replace a laptop.
The bigger question is where this positions ASUS in the growing handheld PC space. With Valve, Lenovo, and smaller manufacturers already competing for attention, ASUS is betting that full Windows integration, stronger specifications, and Xbox co-branding will give it staying power. The Ally X in particular feels like a statement device — bigger battery, more memory, and AI hardware that points toward what handhelds might look like in the next two to three years.
For UAE gamers, both the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are available now through leading retailers and ASUS’ official eShop. With prices at AED 2,299 and AED 3,499, they’re not the cheapest options in the market, but they promise a balance of portability, raw performance, and future-ready tech that makes them worth considering for anyone eyeing the handheld gaming scene.
