After years of speculation, Xbox is finally entering the handheld space—not with its own console, but in partnership with ASUS.
🕹️ Xbox Handheld: What’s Official?
✅ ROG Xbox Ally & ROG Xbox Ally X
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Announced at the Xbox Games Showcase 2025 as the first Xbox-branded handheld consoles, co-developed with ASUS (Cryptopolitan, Forbes, Pure Xbox)
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These are Windows 11–based devices optimized with a custom Xbox UI, designed for handheld gaming and integrated Game Pass access (Indiatimes)
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Official launch is scheduled for Holiday 2025, with tentative prices around $599 for the base Ally, $899 for the Ally X in U.S.; €599 / €899 in Europe (Tom's Guide)
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Pre-orders are expected to open August 20, 2025 during Gamescom, where attendees can test titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong (TechRadar)
🔬 Specs & Features at a Glance
| Feature | Xbox Ally | Xbox Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 A, 16 GB RAM | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 24 GB RAM |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD | 1 TB SSD |
| Display | 7" FHD IPS, 120 Hz | Same, higher battery and ports |
| Battery | 60 Wh | 80 Wh |
| OS | Windows 11 with Xbox UI | Same |
| Key Features | Game Pass, cloud streaming, Xbox remote play, Battle.net, Steam, Epic support (xbox.com, techcentre.com, Tom's Guide, Wikipedia) |
Designed for powerful AAA performance in handheld form, the Ally X is praised for outperforming even the Steam Deck in head-to-head benchmarks (windowscentral.com).
❓ Is This a “True Xbox Console”?
Not exactly.
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These are Windows PC handhelds, not custom Xbox hardware. They run PC versions of Xbox games via Game Pass, cloud streaming, or remote play—not native Xbox console titles (Wikipedia, Indiatimes).
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A separate first‑party Xbox handheld project (codenamed “Keenan”) is reportedly scheduled for 2027 but was essentially paused or canceled in favor of the ASUS partnership (Wikipedia).
🕹️ Why This Matters
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Marks Microsoft’s first official handheld gaming device.
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Combines Xbox ecosystem access with high-end PC hardware in a portable form.
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Direct competitor to the Steam Deck OLED and other Windows handhelds like the ROG Ally and MSI Claw 8 AI+ (WinBuzzer, windowscentral.com).
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Sets the stage for a Microsoft-led handheld strategy around Game Pass and platform-agnostic access to games.
✅ Final Thoughts
Yes—Xbox is releasing a handheld, but it’s built in collaboration with ASUS, not an independently developed console. The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X deliver a powerful mix of PC gaming, Xbox access, and portability, with launch planned for Holiday 2025 and pre-orders kicking off at Gamescom in August.
Would you like help comparing the Xbox Ally models with Steam Deck or Switch 2 for your gaming needs?