Handheld gaming consoles are all the rage right now. With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the success of Valve’s Steam Deck and the rise of portable PCs, it’s no wonder Microsoft is about to enter the space.
At its annual Xbox Games Showcase in June, Microsoft announced the ROG Xbox Ally, its first-ever handheld games console. Developed in partnership with Asus and based on the existing ROG Ally hardware, the new handheld will launch in two versions: the entry-level ROG Xbox Ally and the high-end ROG Xbox Ally X – two machines that will boot directly into a new Xbox operating system rather than Windows, giving players direct access to their digital Xbox libraries and Game Pass titles via the cloud.
But when will it arrive? According to the latest leaks and rumours, you might not have long to wait to pre-order the console. Here’s everything we know so far about the Xbox ROG Ally and Xbox ROG Ally X, from release date to price.
ROG Xbox Ally release date: When will it launch?
While Microsoft only stated that the Xbox handheld will launch later this year around the Christmas period, rumours have begun circulating about its release date. In late July, reliable leaker Billbil-kun claimed pre-orders for both models of the ROG Xbox Ally will go live on Wednesday 20 August 2025.
This would coincide with an Xbox live broadcast scheduled for that day at 2pm BST, something outlined in Xbox’s official programme. One segment of the stream is expected to focus on the Xbox Ally, which the leaker predicts will be when a release date and pre-order details will be announced.
ROG Xbox Ally price: How much could the handheld cost?
In mid-July, a report leaked the rumoured price of Microsoft’s new Xbox-branded handheld – and it’s bad news for anyone hoping for a bargain. As reported by 3djeugos, the ROG Xbox Ally X could start at €599 for the base model and €899 for the top-spec edition.
Those prices have since been backed up by Dealabs leaker Bilbil-kun, who confirmed the figures in a report in late July. The leak was further corroborated by an authorised Spanish Asus retailer, which briefly listed the handhelds online with matching prices.
If accurate, that would make it more expensive than the Xbox Series X (£493.48, Amazon.co.uk) home console, but roughly in line with the existing Asus ROG Ally device (£449.99, Amazon.co.uk), on which the upcoming Xbox handheld is based.
Rog Xbox Ally design and features
As well as an Xbox button, the ROG Xbox Ally gets longer, contoured hand grips that more closely resemble the Xbox controller. It also gets the Xbox controller’s impulse triggers, a pair of custom-built rumble motors located inside the shoulder buttons that deliver more realistic haptic feedback.
Handheld gaming PCs have rocketed in popularity in recent years, with the Steam Deck among the most successful examples of the form factor. Like the Steam Deck, the ROG Xbox Ally promises better performance and efficiency by skipping the resource-gobbling Windows operating system and booting into its own dedicated interface. The redesigned Xbox app is more handheld-friendly and acts like a library for your entire PC games library, including games from other storefronts.
Because it’s basically a portable PC in disguise, the ROG Xbox Ally will support third-party PC apps like Discord and even rival storefronts like Steam, Epic Games and GOG, so your entire PC gaming library will be playable on the new Xbox handheld.
ROG Xbox Ally X specs
The more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X is designed for 1080p gaming and runs on the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The entry-level ROG Xbox Ally targets a more modest 720p and uses a new AMD Ryzen 2A processor with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Both use the same display found in the existing ROG Ally hardware, a 7in, 1080p screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support.
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ROG Ally X: £799, Currys.co.uk
The upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X is based on the current ROG Ally X from Asus, which you can buy right now if you don’t fancy waiting around for Microsoft to stick a new button on it. One of the best handheld gaming PCs available today, it pairs a powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 processor with a whopping 24GB of RAM and an efficient cooling system to deliver high-end gaming PC performance in a portable form factor.
As it’s essentially a tiny PC, you can launch the Xbox app as you would on your laptop or desktop to access your digital games library and stream games via the cloud using your Game Pass subscription. Microsoft promises that the Xbox-branded ROG Ally X will deliver better performance and battery life thanks to its streamlined Xbox interface.
Steam Deck: £349, Steampowered.com
Valve’s portable is the best budget handheld gaming PC you’ll find, untethering your Steam games library from the desktop to let you play anywhere you like. While more recent handheld gaming PCs have outpaced the Steam Deck in terms of specs, display and performance, the console’s price drop to just £349 makes it hard to ignore.
Still more than powerful enough to play older titles, mid-range and indie games, the Steam Deck can handle recent releases without too much choppiness. There’s a newer model with an OLED display (£479, Steampowered.com), but the £130 premium places it in competition with more powerful handhelds like the ROG Ally.
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