Preorders Open for ROG Xbox Ally handhelds ahead of October launch
ASUS and Microsoft have officially opened preorders today for the ROG Xbox Ally handheld series. The new devices will be released on October 16 in more than 30 regions. Pricing has not been disclosed yet, so retailers are currently listing the systems with placeholder values of $999 for the ROG Xbox Ally X and $599 for ROG Xbox Ally (without X).
The standard ROG Xbox Ally ships with AMD’s Ryzen Z2 A APU, a 4-core/8-thread chip based on Zen 2 architecture with 8 RDNA 2 compute units and support for LPDDR5-6400 memory. It is basically the same chip as in Steam Deck, but not necessarily cheaper. It is designed for lower power draw, with a configurable TDP range between 6 and 20 W.
The higher-end ROG Xbox Ally X is powered by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme, an 8-core/16-thread Zen 5 processor with 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. It supports faster LPDDR5X-8000 memory and a wider 15–35 W TDP range. Unlike the Z2 A, the Extreme integrates a dedicated neural processing unit, enabling Ryzen AI features such as Automatic Super Resolution. The Xbox Ally X also comes with 24 GB RAM, a 1 TB SSD, and an 80 Wh battery.
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally Pricing:
- ROG Ally X : $999 (US), €899 (Europe), £799 (UK)
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally (Ryzen Z2 Extreme)
- ROG Ally: $599 (US), €599 (Europe), £499 (UK)
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally (Ryzen Z2 A)
ASUS ROG Xbox Ally (Ryzen Z2 A)
Preorders align with the rollout of the Xbox Handheld Compatibility Program, which certifies titles for portable play. Games will be marked as Handheld Optimized or Mostly Compatible, and Windows Performance Fit badges will indicate expected performance levels. This program will roll out with ROG Xbox Ally on October 16, however we have already seen it ‘leaking’ to other systems.
Another system-level addition is Advanced Shader Delivery, which compiles shaders ahead of time to cut down stutter and improve frame pacing across games. Together with Auto Super Resolution and the compatibility program, the Xbox Ally series aims to deliver a smoother experience out of the box.
| ROG XBOX Ally | ||
|---|---|---|
| VideoCardz.com | ROG Xbox Ally | ROG Xbox Ally X |
| Picture |  |  |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor 4C/8T (Zen2) & 8CU (RDNA2) | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor 8C/16T (Zen5/c) & 16CU (RDNA3.5) |
| Memory | 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 | 24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
| Storage | 512GB M.2 2280 SSD for easier upgrade | 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 | 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 USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt™ 4 compatible |
| 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC) | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort™ 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0 | |
| 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack | 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 | Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4 |
| Dimensions | 290.8*121.5*50.7mm | 290.8*121.5*50.7mm |
| 670g | 715g | |
| Battery | 60Wh | 80Wh |
| Included | ROG Xbox Ally 65W charger Stand | ROG Xbox Ally X 65W charger Stand |
| MSRP | $599 /€599 / £499 | $999 / €899 / £799 |