I'm old enough to remember rumours of an Xbox handheld console to take on the likes of the Nintendo DS and the Sony PSP. But those rumours never eventuated.
No, the first Xbox handheld is less a competitor to the like of the Nintendo Switch, and more a rival for the Steam Deck. Made in partnership with ASUS, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally are available for pre-order from today, and will arrive in-store on 16-October.
If you expected the Xbox branding to bring down the cost of the original ROG Ally and ROG Ally X devices, you'll be disappointed though. The Xbox ROG Ally will cost $999, while the premium ROG Ally X will have an RRP of $1,599 in Australia.
ASUS and Microsoft are positioning these devices as significant upgrades over theoriginal ROG Ally devices. The ROG Xbox Ally X features AMD's new Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, delivering what the companies claim is up to 30% better performance in demanding titles like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Doom: The Dark Ages compared to the previous-generation ROG Ally X.
Battery life has also seen substantial improvements. The ROG Xbox Ally X now offers up to twice the battery endurance when playing games like Hollow Knight: Silksong, while the standard ROG Xbox Ally boasts up to 110% more battery life versus the original ROG Ally X when running less demanding titles.
The standard ROG Xbox Ally, powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, targets casual to enthusiast gamers with up to 20% performance gains in titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Gears of War: Reloaded.
Both devices support AMD's latest graphical enhancements, including FidelityFX Super Resolution and Fluid Motion Frames, with the latter promising up to 60% better frame rates.
Windows meets Xbox in a handheld form
What sets these devices apart from pure console handhelds is their Windows 11 foundation, offering access to multiple PC gaming storefronts alongside Xbox Game Pass. This gives users the flexibility to play their existing Steam, Epic Games Store, and other PC game libraries, not just Xbox titles.
The Xbox partnership brings console-familiar interfaces and optimisations, potentially smoothing the traditionally clunky Windows handheld gaming experience. Both devices maintain the ergonomic design principles that made the original ROG Ally series popular among handheld gaming enthusiasts.
Where to buy
Pre-orders are open now through the Microsoft Store, ASUS e-Shop, and major Australian retailers including JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman, Officeworks, EB Games, and specialist PC retailers like Scorptec and Centre Com.
The devices will hit shelves nationwide on October 16, positioning them well ahead of the crucial holiday shopping period.
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