I’ll admit, when Xbox first stated it was working on a handheld, I wasn’t exactly thrilled. The messaging was unclear, and when it was revealed that Xbox would partner with ASUS to release an Xbox-branded version of the ROG Ally: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X, it didn’t really change my mind. At best, I was curious to see what Xbox was trying to do, even if the entire push seemed aimed more at PC gaming than Xbox as a console.
That said, after finally getting hands-on with the ROG Xbox Ally X during PAX West 2025, I can honestly say I’m starting to come around with the envision of what Xbox’s (and Asus’s) handheld gaming venture is about.
I’ve owned both the original ROG Ally and now the ROG Ally X. It’s my favorite handheld device. Yes, even over the Steam Deck and Switch 2, but let’s not start that debate. And as much as I enjoy it, I’ve had frustrations with the design. Ironically, some of those issues are being addressed thanks to Xbox’s involvement.
For example, anyone who has played extensively on ASUS’s handhelds knows the hand cramp struggle. It’s the reason Etsy is full of 3D-printed cases with added grips. Xbox clearly listened to this feedback. The ROG Xbox Ally lineup integrates Xbox controller ergonomics, giving the handheld a much more comfortable and natural feel.
Nicole Allen, Senior Director of Xbox Next Generation, told me the design changes came directly from listening to Ally owners and applying what works with Xbox controllers. It makes sense as the Xbox controller is popular choice for PC gaming for a reason. Grabbing the device for the first time, I immediately felt the difference, and while I expected it, there’s something different about actually holding it in your hands.
The haptics stood out, even during something as simple as sitting on the Silksong title screen. The vibration was subtle but noticeable, adding to immersion without being overwhelming. My 30 minutes of playtime was limited, but the impact of the haptics and controller feel was clear. After firing up Hollow Knight on my own Ally X later, I found myself wishing I was playing on the Xbox variant instead.
Another weak point of ASUS’s ROG Ally devices has been accessories. Outside of a mediocre case and controller, support was basically nonexistent, forcing owners to rely on third-party docks and extras. Xbox is changing this by planning official accessories, including a proper dock. Allen didn’t give many details but stressed that Xbox is paying close attention to community feedback and wants the Ally to appeal not just to Xbox players but also to PC gamers outside of the Xbox ecosystem.
While I still have reservations about Xbox relying on the standard Windows 11 base instead of a dedicated gaming OS, what I saw of the Xbox PC application showed promise. The interface felt accessible, it integrated smoothly with other storefronts, and of course, Xbox Cloud Gaming support was present. At launch you won’t be able to purchase Steam games directly through it, but that’s planned for later.
It’s not going to convert people who already dislike Windows 11 as a gaming OS, but the pieces are coming together. At PAX West, the focus was firmly on the ROG Xbox Ally X, and what I experienced left me optimistic.
What the NPU Brings to the Party
One thing that separates the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X, well, other than the colors and cost, is the addition of the Neural Processing Unit (NPU) that’s afforded by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme SoC. This will give the X variant the edge in terms of appeal, by providing the ability to upscale games that run at lower resolutions, which in term lets you get the best of both worlds; high frame rates and better image quality, in what is being coined Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR). This will function similar to Nvidia’s DLSS or AMD’s FSR. As I understand, this won’t be available at launch, but will arrive early 2026.
Another feature is that it will allow the device to automatically captures highlights during gameplay, allowing you to easily save and share via social media and other means. This would be similar to Nvidia’s Shadowplay, and it’s not a bad idea, since the NPU would guarantee that no extra power from the CPU/GPU would be wasted for this.
It would seem that the addition of the NPU could be something else to entice future owners to pony up the extra money for the more expensive model, assuming these features sound worthwhile.
Still No Mention of the Price
I tried. I really tried get a price for the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, but I was simply told to speak with PR. So, no one is That said, I did fire off an email to see what those prices are going to be, but I wasn’t able to get the answer I wanted from the event. I’ve already committed to selling off my ROG Ally X to get this, but not if the price is too far out of my range. While I know what the leaked (ask Best Buy) prices are, I’m waiting to we hear them officially from Xbox.
Final Thoughts
The ROG Xbox Ally X feels like the device the original Ally should have been. Xbox’s involvement is addressing real concerns with design, support, and features, while also pushing its PC gaming strategy forward. My time was short, and I wish I could have tested more than Silksong. Gears of War was mentioned but not shown, but what I played was enough.
I walked away from the event a bit more optimist about the Xbox Ally project, which is something I hadn’t expected before the day had started.
