Asus ROG and Microsoft have teamed up to launch two brand new ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming devices, set to hit shelves during the holiday season. These new models seamlessly blend the Xbox gaming experience and feature a Windows full-screen interface specially designed by Microsoft for handhelds, allowing players to skip the traditional Windows desktop and dive straight into gaming.
In this collaboration, Microsoft and Asus have introduced the standard Xbox Ally and the premium Xbox Ally X. Both handheld consoles feature a 7-inch 1080p display that supports refresh rates of up to 120Hz and VRR technology, with a brightness of up to 500 nits. On the hardware front, the white Xbox Ally is equipped with the new AMD Ryzen Z2 A chip, boasting 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 memory and 512GB SSD storage. Meanwhile, the black Xbox Ally X takes it a step further with the upgraded Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, offering 24GB of memory and 1TB SSD, while also supporting Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and micro SD card expansion.
The standout feature of these two handheld devices is their dedicated Xbox full-screen mode, designed specifically for portable gaming experiences. Microsoft is focusing on the Xbox PC app, eliminating the need for a traditional desktop interface. Players are no longer confined to Xbox games; they can seamlessly switch over to popular platforms like Microsoft Store, Battle.net, Steam, and Epic Games. The new interface also comes with physical Xbox buttons, allowing players to easily toggle between interfaces, launch the Game Bar, and adjust settings or use apps like Discord without needing to touch the screen.
Asus Vice President of Consumer Products, Shawn Yen, mentioned that many gamers find using a controller on Windows to be cumbersome. Therefore, they decided to closely collaborate with Microsoft to redesign the system interface and features. He emphasized that Efficiency is the most crucial element of this new generation of products. These two handheld devices showcase exceptional performance, cooling, and battery life, allowing for quieter, cooler, and longer usage.
When it comes to batteries, the Xbox Ally is equipped with a 60Wh battery, which is a 50% upgrade compared to the original ROG Ally; the Xbox Ally X even boasts the largest battery capacity on the market at 80Wh. Thanks to the system optimization in collaboration with Microsoft, power consumption significantly decreases when the device is idle or in sleep mode.
Both designs draw inspiration from the Xbox controller, featuring ergonomically designed grips for optimal feel and control. The Xbox Ally X incorporates the Vibrator Trigger function, simulating the Xbox controller's vibration feedback, which intensifies the gaming experience and allows players to truly feel the terrain and recoil in racing or shooting games.
In terms of size, both handheld devices measure 290.8 × 121.5 × 50.7mm. The Xbox Ally weighs 670g, while the more advanced Xbox Ally X is slightly heavier at 715g. Both devices are a bit heavier than competitors like the Steam Deck and PlayStation Portal, but they offer a more comfortable grip. Regarding wireless connectivity, these devices support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, and they come with a 3.5mm audio jack.
Although Microsoft has not yet disclosed specific benchmark performance data, it has made it clear that the new device supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing players to sync their gaming progress across different devices. Additionally, the new system is compatible with cloud streaming and remote play mode for Xbox consoles.
The initial launch regions include over 30 markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Canada, Singapore, Germany, France, and Italy. Pricing and pre-order details will be announced in the coming months.
