Hands-On With the Xbox Ally X: Microsoft and Asus’ Bold New Leap in Handheld Gaming (June 2025)
In a market now saturated with handheld gaming PCs, it’s becoming harder for manufacturers to stand out. Devices like the Steam Deck, Lenovo Legion Go, and Asus ROG Ally have shown us what’s possible—but they also reveal the growing pains of blending PC gaming with portability. Enter the ROG Xbox Ally X, a powerful new handheld gaming console born from a partnership between Microsoft and Asus. Slated for a holiday 2025 release, the Xbox Ally X is shaping up to be the most refined and console-like handheld PC to date.
Let’s dive deep into its hardware, performance, ergonomics, UI, and what makes it a potential game-changer.
A Game-Changing Collaboration: Microsoft x Asus
The Xbox Ally X is not just another ROG variant. It’s a purpose-built handheld PC designed around the Xbox ecosystem, combining Asus’ experience with the ROG Ally and Microsoft’s deep integration with the Xbox platform and Windows. It’s available in two models:
- Xbox Ally X: The high-end version with maxed-out specs.
- Xbox Ally (base model): A more budget-friendly alternative with slightly scaled-down performance.
This is the first time Xbox branding has directly appeared on a portable Windows gaming device, and it’s evident Microsoft wants to make a bigger play in the portable gaming space. Unlike the Steam Deck, which prioritizes Linux and SteamOS, the Xbox Ally series aims to bring the Xbox experience—Game Pass, Xbox UI, and cross-platform syncing—to your hands, seamlessly.
Power Under the Hood: Xbox Ally X Specs
Let’s start with what gamers care about most—raw performance. The Xbox Ally X doesn’t hold back. Here are the confirmed specifications:
- Processor (APU): AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme
- RAM: 24GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Battery: 80Wh
- Display: 7-inch Full HD (1920×1080), 120Hz IPS panel with FreeSync and VRR
- Operating System: Slimmed-down Windows 11 with custom Xbox UI overlay
In comparison, the base-level Xbox Ally will feature:
- Processor (APU): AMD Ryzen Z2 A
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery: 60Wh
The standout here is the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, revealed at CES 2025, which builds on the legacy of the Z1 Extreme chip used in the ROG Ally. It delivers significantly enhanced graphics processing, AI acceleration, and thermal management—all critical for high-end portable gaming.
Hands-On Performance: What It Feels Like to Play
During my brief hands-on time with the Xbox Ally X, I played Gears of War: Reloaded at 1080p, high settings, with AMD FSR 3.1 set to Quality mode and 16x anisotropic filtering. Even under these conditions, the game consistently ran at 60 FPS in Turbo mode.
This may sound expected—after all, Gears Reloaded is a remaster of a classic Xbox 360 title—but what’s important here is how effortlessly the game ran. There were no drops, no fan noise distractions, and no fiddling with settings. The experience was smooth, console-like, and above all, enjoyable.
That’s not something you can say for most Windows-based handhelds right now.
The Software Edge: Xbox App Reimagined for Portability
Historically, one of the biggest problems with handheld PCs has been the Windows user experience. Full Windows 11 on a 7-inch touchscreen is hardly intuitive. That changes with the Xbox Ally series.
Microsoft and Asus have introduced a streamlined version of Windows 11, stripped of non-essential background services, optimized for gaming, and layered with a custom Xbox app interface designed for thumbstick navigation.
Key Software Highlights:
- Gamepad-First Navigation: Browse your library using the controller instead of a touchscreen.
- Centralized Game Library: Xbox app supports importing from Steam, Epic Games Store, and GOG, making it an all-in-one launcher.
- Low System Overhead: The lean version of Windows focuses resources on gameplay, not bloated services.
You still get full compatibility with PC software, but the design makes it feel like you’re using a next-gen Xbox rather than a mini desktop.
AI Copilot: Novel Feature or Gimmick?
One of the newer features bundled into the Xbox Ally X is AI Copilot integration, powered by Ryzen’s AI capabilities. The idea is to provide in-game assistance—like strategy guides, puzzle hints, or even walkthrough support—by analyzing your gameplay and voice commands.
Right now, this feels more like a novelty than a necessity. While it has potential for accessibility and casual gamers, power users may find it unnecessary. The tech is there, and it’s impressive that it works in real time, but its true utility remains to be seen.
Ergonomics and Design: Like Holding an Xbox Controller
Let’s talk feel. The Xbox Ally X boasts one of the most ergonomic designs in the handheld PC category to date. It resembles a stretched Xbox controller with a display in the center—thanks to full-sized grips, offset thumbsticks, impulse triggers, and familiar face buttons.
Dimensions:
- Width: 290.8mm
- Height: 121.5mm
- Depth: 50.7mm
- Weight: ~700g (estimated)
Compared to the ROG Ally, it’s chunkier but much more comfortable for extended play sessions. It easily rivals or even surpasses the Steam Deck’s ergonomics, especially for users who already prefer the Xbox controller layout.
However, its bulkiness makes it less portable than competitors like the Legion Go S or the ROG Ally Lite. It’s not exactly something you’d throw in a small backpack. But that’s the trade-off for better thermal management, power delivery, and long-term comfort.
Battery Life and Heat Management: Still a Mystery
Asus and Microsoft haven’t finalized battery benchmarks yet, but early hands-on impressions suggest battery life will be comparable to high-end competitors when not using Turbo mode.
The 80Wh battery in the Xbox Ally X is a significant upgrade from the ROG Ally’s 40Wh and even surpasses the Steam Deck OLED’s 50Wh. This should, in theory, provide 3–6 hours of gameplay depending on settings, but we’ll need real-world testing to confirm.
Thermals appear to be well managed. The rear intake and top exhaust layout prevents heat buildup near the grips—a common problem in other handhelds. Even during intense gaming in Turbo mode, it stayed warm, not hot.
Base Model Xbox Ally: An Affordable Entry Point?
The lower-tier Xbox Ally with the Z2 A chip seems geared toward casual gamers or those on a budget. However, its performance will likely lag behind the Ally X significantly. Early comparisons with the Z2 Go (used in the Legion Go S) show the chip struggles with modern AAA titles at high settings.
If Microsoft prices it aggressively—say in the $499 range—it could be a great entry-level device for Xbox Game Pass users who want access to a full Windows ecosystem. But expectations need to be tempered, especially if you’re hoping to play demanding games like Doom: The Dark Ages or Cyberpunk 2077.
What About the Price?
Here’s the elephant in the room: price.
With its cutting-edge specs and premium design, the Xbox Ally X is not going to be cheap. While Asus and Microsoft have not revealed official pricing, the industry expects it to land somewhere between $799 to $999, depending on final hardware and market fluctuations.
This may give sticker shock to traditional console gamers, especially when the Xbox Series X is available for around $500. But for handheld PC enthusiasts, this aligns with what they’re used to paying—and delivers more performance and polish than any other Windows-based handheld to date.
Why the Xbox Ally X Matters for the Future of Gaming
The Xbox Ally X isn’t just another device—it could be a turning point in the evolution of handheld gaming. Its release signals a few important shifts:
- Microsoft is investing in handhelds: With Xbox Game Pass becoming central to its strategy, a native Xbox handheld makes sense.
- Windows is getting handheld-friendly: The software optimizations here could influence future laptops, tablets, and other gaming PCs.
- Cross-platform synergy is real: You can pick up where you left off on your Xbox, PC, or Ally—true ecosystem integration.
Even if you never buy an Xbox Ally, the device’s influence will ripple through the gaming industry.
Final Thoughts: A New Gold Standard in Handheld PC Gaming
After years of compromises, the Xbox Ally X finally feels like a no-compromise handheld PC. It blends the accessibility of console gaming with the flexibility of a full-blown Windows device. With incredible specs, a thoughtful UI, and controller-grade ergonomics, it could set a new benchmark for all future gaming handhelds.
Yes, price and battery life remain question marks—but this is the closest we’ve come to the dream of console-quality gaming on the go.
Whether you’re an Xbox fan, PC gamer, or just someone who wants to take AAA games on the road, keep your eyes on the Xbox Ally X this holiday season.