Xbox has officially opened pre-orders for its newest handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally and the premium ROG Xbox Ally X, marking a bold new entry into the competitive portable gaming space. Pre-orders began September 25 in select regions via the Microsoft Store, ASUS eshop, and global retail partners, with both devices launching worldwide on October 16th.
Pricing has been set at $599.99 USD for the ROG Xbox Ally and $999.99 USD for the ROG Xbox Ally X, though Xbox notes that prices may vary by region as pre-orders continue to roll out.
A New Era of Handheld Gaming?
Xbox and ASUS describe the Ally lineup as a “new era for handheld gaming,” merging ASUS hardware, Xbox services, and the Windows ecosystem into a portable powerhouse. Both devices promise seamless access to Xbox Game Pass, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox Remote Play, while also supporting titles from Battle.net and other leading PC storefronts.
Standout features include a fully immersive Xbox full-screen mode, an aggregated gaming library spanning multiple storefronts, and a design built for serious portability without sacrificing ecosystem access.
The Big Question: Performance vs. Price
While the promise is exciting, the pricing has sparked curiosity—and some hesitation. At $999, the Ally X enters a premium tier that few handhelds have attempted to occupy. This naturally raises questions:
How does its power compare to other handhelds like the Steam Deck, ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, or even the Nintendo Switch successor?
Will the performance justify the steep price tag, especially for those who already own a capable gaming PC or console?
And can Xbox deliver a handheld experience that feels worth the investment, not just another portable PC?
With the handheld market heating up, the ROG Xbox Ally family has the potential to set a new standard for Xbox players who want their libraries to follow them anywhere. But until the units are in players’ hands, many will be watching closely to see if the performance really matches the premium cost.
Pre-orders are live now, and more global availability details can be found on Xbox Wire.
