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Microsoft and ASUS have announced 2 ROG Xbox Ally handhelds

Microsoft and ASUS have officially announced two ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. The devices come with an immersive Xbox full screen experience.

The ROG Xbox Ally, which was code-named Project Kennan, is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor, with 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM, and has a 512GB M.2 2280 SSD that is upgradeable. It has a plethora of buttons including a set of ABXY buttons, a D-pad, 2 analog sticks, L & R bumpers, an Xbox button, View Button, Menu button, Command Center button, Library button, and two customizable back buttons.

ASUS has fitted the console with a 7-inches 1080p IPS display, the screen supports 120Hz refresh rate, 16:9 aspect ratio, 500 nits brightness. The ROG Xbox Ally has 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, with DisplayPort 2.1, PD 3.0, and a UHS-II microSD card reader that supports SD, SDXC and SDHC. It also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack. The console supports Bluetooth 5.4, and Wi-Fi 6E.

Xbox Experience for Handheld

The ROG Xbox Ally does not run on Xbox OS as initially believed, it runs on Windows 11 Home. But, Microsoft has designed the OS in a way that the console boots directly into the Xbox full screen experience, which it says has been optimized specifically for handheld gaming. Windows Central says that the new feature makes a huge difference. It reduces the idle power consumption of Windows by two thirds to save the battery. Could this be related to the automatic throttling feature that is coming to PCs?

The console also shuts down various processes, including the desktop itself. Microsoft says that the feature will free up to 2GB of RAM, that can be utilized to improve the performance in games. This could be why Microsoft delayed its own handheld console, to optimize the Windows 11 gaming performance, aka the new Xbox PC app and Xbox Game Bar. It could be a game changer, but it remains to see how efficient it is compared to SteamOS.

ROG Xbox Ally

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home
  • Comfort & input: Contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers deliver all-day comfort. ABXY buttons / D-pad / L & R Hall Effect analog triggers / L & R bumpers / Xbox button / View button / Menu button / Command Center button / Library button / 2x assignable back buttons / 2x full-size analog sticks / HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor
  • Memory: 16GB LPDDR5X-6400
  • Storage: 512GB M.2 2280 SSD for easier upgrade
  • Display: 7” FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9, 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection
  • I/O Ports: 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
  • Network and Communication: Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4
  • Dimensions: 290.8*121.5*50.7mm
  • Weight: 670g
  • Battery: 60Wh
  • Included: ROG Xbox Ally, 65W charger, Stand

ROG Xbox Ally X

  • Operating System: Windows 11 Home
  • Comfort & input: Contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers deliver all-day comfort, complete with impulse triggers for enhanced control. ABXY buttons / D-pad / L & R Hall Effect analog triggers / L & R bumpers / Xbox button / View button / Menu button / Command Center button / Library button / 2x assignable back buttons / 2x full-size analog sticks / HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU
  • Processor: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor
  • Memory: 24GB LPDDR5X-8000
  • Storage: 1TB M.2 2280 SSD for easier upgrade
  • Display: 7” FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9, 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection
  • I/O Ports: 1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt 4 compatible, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC; UHS-I with DDR200 mode), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
  • Network and Communication: Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4
  • Dimensions: 290.8*121.5*50.7mm
  • Weight: 715g
  • Battery: 80Wh
  • Included: ROG Xbox Ally, 65W charger, Stand

The higher-end of the two handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally X, shares much of its hardware with the standard version including the design, the display and the connectivity options. However, the ROG Xbox Ally X is powered by an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, with 24GB of LPDDR5X-8000 RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The handheld is equipped with impulse triggers for enhanced control. ASUS has opted to upgrade one of the two Type-C ports to USB 4 with DisplayPort 2.1, and the card reader supports UHS-I with DDR200 mode. The ROG Xbox Ally X has an 80Wh battery, which also bumps up the handheld's weight to 715g.

ASUS says that the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X will be available in the following countries for the Holiday 2025 season: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The handhelds will also be launched in other markets where the previous-gen ROG Ally series products are sold. The price of the consoles are yet to be revealed.

Can the new ROG Xbox Ally handhelds take on the Steam Deck and the Nintendo Switch 2?

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