Monday, June 9th 2025
ASUS Announces the New ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X Gaming Handhelds
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) is proud to announce an all-new series of Ally handhelds built from the ground up with improved ergonomics and a seamless player-first user experience. Developed in partnership with the incredible team at Xbox, the new ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X offer best-in-class ergonomics and a full-screen Xbox experience that marries the best of Xbox and PC gaming in one cohesive package.
"We wanted to take our handheld to the next level, but we could not do it alone." said Shawn Yen, Head of the Consumer product team at ASUS. "This revolutionary partnership with Microsoft allowed us to forge a brand new device with ROG muscle and the soul of Xbox." The ROG Xbox Ally sports an AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor with incredible power efficiency, while the ROG Xbox Ally X offers the new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor for next-level gaming performance. Both launch holiday 2025 in select markets, with additional markets to follow.
All-day comfort
The ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X feature a completely redesigned chassis. Gaming on handheld is a very personal experience, and comfort in the hand is a key pillar of a well-designed device. With years of feedback on the original Ally and Ally X, the ROG Xbox Ally series offers a more comfortable grip than ever, inspired by Xbox. With a redesigned palm rest and texturing patterns to keep gamers locked on target, the ROG Xbox Ally series truly raises the bar for comfort with a handheld gaming device.
The ROG Xbox Ally X also features impulse triggers, improving the haptics in supported games. These triggers allow for more nuance and immersion and are a feature that Xbox gamers have come to expect with their controllers. These devices are the most comfortable and immersive handhelds ever built by ROG.
Seamless software experience
While the ROG Armoury Crate Special Edition software made the original Ally easy to use, ROG and Xbox aimed to make handheld gaming even more seamless on Windows 11. "We wanted to create an authentic Xbox experience in a handheld form factor," explained Roanne Sones, CVP at Xbox. "With ROG, we made it happen on the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X."
As soon as players power on the device, they enter the full screen Xbox experience. Powered by Windows 11 underneath, this software has been optimized for the ROG Xbox Ally, reducing system overhead and offering easy joystick and button navigation. Quick access to settings and customizable widgets are available via Game Bar with a single press of the Xbox button. But with the full freedom of Windows 11 running under the hood, games and mods from other sources are still easily accessible. The ROG Xbox Ally series offers the power of Xbox, the craftsmanship of ROG, and the versatility of Windows, all in one cohesive device.
Efficiency and performance
The ROG Xbox Ally X features the new top-of-stack AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, giving it plenty of horsepower even in AAA games. Combined with software optimizations from the new Xbox experience, the ROG Xbox Ally X stands ready to provide gamers with next-gen handheld performance.
"ASUS and AMD share a deep-rooted, decades-long commitment to innovation and co-engineering, pushing the boundaries of high-performance computing for gamers," said Jack Huynh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Computing and Graphics Group at AMD. "Advancing handheld PC gaming has been a personal passion for me, and our team was super excited to partner so naturally with Xbox and ASUS to take our vision even further. With ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, we are combining the best of AMD's silicon, ASUS's design expertise, and Xbox's gaming ecosystem. Powered by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, the ROG Xbox Ally X delivers breathtaking graphics, extended battery life, and truly portable performance—empowering gamers everywhere to play without limits—anytime, anywhere."
The ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance with its AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor. At the same time, its ultra-efficient design at low wattages and its 60Wh battery produce improved battery life. Meanwhile, the ROG Xbox Ally X takes performance to greater heights, offering more room for graphical fidelity at higher framerates with the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor.
Both chips are primed to take full advantage of AMD's latest software suite for graphics and performance improvements, including AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), Radeon Super Resolution (RSR), and AMD Fluid Motion Frames (AFMF) frame generation, the latter of which can offer better framerates for improved smoothness.
In a nod to the future, the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme-equipped ROG Xbox Ally X features an NPU. With these next-generation chips, the ROG Xbox Ally X will be ready to power the latest AI features as they are introduced.
At launch this holiday, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will be available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with availability to follow for other markets where ROG Ally series products are sold today.
Source:
ASUS ROG
"We wanted to take our handheld to the next level, but we could not do it alone." said Shawn Yen, Head of the Consumer product team at ASUS. "This revolutionary partnership with Microsoft allowed us to forge a brand new device with ROG muscle and the soul of Xbox." The ROG Xbox Ally sports an AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor with incredible power efficiency, while the ROG Xbox Ally X offers the new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor for next-level gaming performance. Both launch holiday 2025 in select markets, with additional markets to follow.
The ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X feature a completely redesigned chassis. Gaming on handheld is a very personal experience, and comfort in the hand is a key pillar of a well-designed device. With years of feedback on the original Ally and Ally X, the ROG Xbox Ally series offers a more comfortable grip than ever, inspired by Xbox. With a redesigned palm rest and texturing patterns to keep gamers locked on target, the ROG Xbox Ally series truly raises the bar for comfort with a handheld gaming device.
The ROG Xbox Ally X also features impulse triggers, improving the haptics in supported games. These triggers allow for more nuance and immersion and are a feature that Xbox gamers have come to expect with their controllers. These devices are the most comfortable and immersive handhelds ever built by ROG.
Seamless software experience
While the ROG Armoury Crate Special Edition software made the original Ally easy to use, ROG and Xbox aimed to make handheld gaming even more seamless on Windows 11. "We wanted to create an authentic Xbox experience in a handheld form factor," explained Roanne Sones, CVP at Xbox. "With ROG, we made it happen on the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X."
As soon as players power on the device, they enter the full screen Xbox experience. Powered by Windows 11 underneath, this software has been optimized for the ROG Xbox Ally, reducing system overhead and offering easy joystick and button navigation. Quick access to settings and customizable widgets are available via Game Bar with a single press of the Xbox button. But with the full freedom of Windows 11 running under the hood, games and mods from other sources are still easily accessible. The ROG Xbox Ally series offers the power of Xbox, the craftsmanship of ROG, and the versatility of Windows, all in one cohesive device.
Efficiency and performance
The ROG Xbox Ally X features the new top-of-stack AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, giving it plenty of horsepower even in AAA games. Combined with software optimizations from the new Xbox experience, the ROG Xbox Ally X stands ready to provide gamers with next-gen handheld performance.
"ASUS and AMD share a deep-rooted, decades-long commitment to innovation and co-engineering, pushing the boundaries of high-performance computing for gamers," said Jack Huynh, Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Computing and Graphics Group at AMD. "Advancing handheld PC gaming has been a personal passion for me, and our team was super excited to partner so naturally with Xbox and ASUS to take our vision even further. With ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, we are combining the best of AMD's silicon, ASUS's design expertise, and Xbox's gaming ecosystem. Powered by the Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, the ROG Xbox Ally X delivers breathtaking graphics, extended battery life, and truly portable performance—empowering gamers everywhere to play without limits—anytime, anywhere."
The ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance with its AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor. At the same time, its ultra-efficient design at low wattages and its 60Wh battery produce improved battery life. Meanwhile, the ROG Xbox Ally X takes performance to greater heights, offering more room for graphical fidelity at higher framerates with the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor.
Both chips are primed to take full advantage of AMD's latest software suite for graphics and performance improvements, including AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), Radeon Super Resolution (RSR), and AMD Fluid Motion Frames (AFMF) frame generation, the latter of which can offer better framerates for improved smoothness.
In a nod to the future, the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme-equipped ROG Xbox Ally X features an NPU. With these next-generation chips, the ROG Xbox Ally X will be ready to power the latest AI features as they are introduced.
At launch this holiday, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will be available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with availability to follow for other markets where ROG Ally series products are sold today.
19 Comments on ASUS Announces the New ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X Gaming Handhelds
Also would be good to see if the improvements to windows performance will be limited to when running gamepass games in Xbox mode, or if they will continue to work for games run from Steam/Epic/etc.
Currently the Intel Arc 140V (Core Ultra 7 258V) with the newest drivers can slightly outperform the Radeon 890M, at least with my tests between my Claw 8 AI and a OneXPlayer G1 (HX 370). Battery life is also pretty good on the Claw since its a 4P+4LPE CPU, which I believe the Z2 Extreme is matching or maybe in a 3+5c configuration. AMD's product specs still don't list the core configuration for the Z2 Extreme yet, but the HX 370 does have it listed.
Z2 A looks like a revision of the Van Gogh APU (Sephiroth/Aerith) in the Steam Deck.
EDIT: The single USB4 port also annoys me. :banghead: Strix Point (and even older Phoenix! But Rembrandt did have limited support) supports two USB4 ports without relying on a separate controller, so unless they're trying to save money (which I believe is pittance really), not making both USB4
www.techpowerup.com/337842/amd-adds-a-pair-of-new-ryzen-z2-socs-to-its-lineup-of-handheld-gaming-chips
1. USB4 + USB 3.2 Gen 2 USB-C combination. Should be two USB4 ports since the APU is capable of it
2. 24 GB of LPDDR5-8000 RAM. Should be at least 32 GB now
3. The overall shape. I'm sure it's comfortable to hold due to the enhanced ergonomics but IMO it looks ugly compared to current handhelds
I'll probably still get one just to try out a cut-down Windows 11 interface. I'm sure it'll come to standard Windows 11 Home/Pro since the specs list it as a Windows 11 Home device and nothing special.
Summer holidays are the Christmas holidays here.
Best video I've seen on the device out of a few that I have watched.
EDIT: I did just watch. In all fairness, Linus seems to have done a good job with this review. He seems to be very objective. Excited, but objectively so. And microsoft seems to be doing something very uncharacteristic by debloating of the Windows install included. I am teetering on the edge of actually wanting one of these. Though, I'm swing toward the white one.
I'd even be tempted to buy one!