Everything You Need to Know About the ROG Xbox Ally X (2025): Pre-Orders, Price, and Killer Features
Hey everyone! If you’re like me, the dream of taking your entire Xbox and PC game library anywhere has always felt just out of reach. I’ve tried streaming, I’ve tinkered with other handhelds, but I always ran into something—lag, compatibility issues, or just a clunky interface that got in the way of the games.
Well, the wait for a truly seamless handheld Xbox experience is almost over. I’ve been digging into the recently announced ROG Xbox Ally X, and I have to say, I’m genuinely excited. Microsoft and ASUS have teamed up to create a beast of a handheld that seems to be built for players like us. In this post, I’ll break down everything we know so far about the price, its awesome features, and most importantly, how you can get your hands on one.
Key Details at a Glance
Before we dive deep, here’s a quick overview of the essential information for the ROG Xbox Ally X.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Release Date | October 16, 2025 |
| Reported Price | $899.99 (USD) / £TBC (Not yet officially confirmed) |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen™ AI Z2 Extreme with dedicated NPU |
| Memory & Storage | 24GB LPDDR5X RAM / 1TB SSD (Easily upgradeable 2280 format) |
| Display | 7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 120Hz Refresh Rate, FreeSync™ Premium |
| Battery | Large 80Wh capacity for extended play |
| Key Feature | Xbox Full Screen Experience & Dedicated Xbox Button |
What Makes the ROG Xbox Ally X Special?
This isn’t just another Windows handheld. The ROG Xbox Ally X is packed with features designed specifically for a pick-up-and-play experience that feels like an Xbox console.
🎮 A Truly Integrated Xbox Experience
This is the biggest selling point for me. Instead of booting into a standard Windows desktop, the Ally X features an “Xbox Full Screen Experience”. It’s a dedicated interface built for controllers, letting you jump straight into your games without fumbling with a touchscreen keyboard. Press the dedicated Xbox button on the device to pull up the enhanced Game Bar, where you can check friends lists, achievements, and system stats instantly. It finally feels like the handheld Xbox UI we’ve been waiting for.
💪 Next-Level Performance and Specs
Under the hood, the Ally X is an absolute powerhouse. It’s powered by the top-tier AMD Ryzen™ AI Z2 Extreme processor, which is not only built for smooth, high-fidelity gaming but also includes a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for on-device AI features.
It pairs this CPU with a massive 24GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB SSD in the modern 2280 size, which means upgrading your storage down the line will be easier and cheaper. This thing is built for tomorrow’s games today.
🔋 Battery Life and Design Built for Portability
One of the biggest pain points with handheld gaming is battery anxiety. ASUS seems to have listened by equipping the Ally X with a huge 80Wh battery. Combined with the efficient AMD chip, this should translate to significantly more playtime away from an outlet. The design also gets a shoutout; it features contoured grips inspired by the Xbox Wireless Controller, making it comfortable for long sessions.
Pro Tip: While the raw power is impressive, don’t sleep on the efficiency. Early reports suggest that playing in ‘Silent Mode’ on the Ally X will feel like ‘Performance Mode’ on older devices, giving you a great balance of playtime and smooth gameplay.
Pre-Order Guide and Where to Buy
Okay, let’s get to the most urgent part: how and when can you buy it?
As of today, official pre-orders have not yet begun. The official release date is set for October 16, 2025. However, you can get a head start right now by signing up for notifications on the official retailer pages. This is the best way to ensure you don’t miss out when pre-orders do go live.
Based on my research, here are the best places to bookmark and sign up for alerts:
- Official Xbox Website: The product page on xbox.com has a button to “GET NOTIFIED” when the device is available.
- Best Buy: A product listing is already live on Best Buy’s website, and you can sign up for updates there.
- ASUS Store: The official ASUS ROG website also has a notification sign-up option.
Other major retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and GameStop are expected to carry it, but pages aren’t live yet. I’d recommend signing up for alerts at one or two of the top links above to cover your bases.
What About the Standard ROG Xbox Ally?
For gamers who want the Xbox handheld experience at a more accessible price point, there’s also the standard ROG Xbox Ally. It’s set to launch on the same day, October 16. Here’s a quick comparison to help you decide:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor (balanced for efficiency).
- Memory & Storage: 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD.
- Battery: 60Wh battery.
- Reported Price: $549.99 (USD) / £499.99 (UK, as spotted on Argos).
The standard model still offers the fantastic Xbox Full Screen Experience but is geared towards maximizing battery life and value. The Ally X is for those who want the ultimate performance and specs.
Final Thoughts and My Take
Look, the handheld PC market is heating up, but the ROG Xbox Ally X stands out because of its deep integration with the Xbox ecosystem. The thought of having my Xbox Play Anywhere saves sync automatically, instantly jumping into Game Pass titles via the cloud, and even using Remote Play from my console—all from a device with this much power—is incredibly compelling.
While we’re still waiting for the final, official word on pricing and the exact pre-order moment, the groundwork is laid for an incredibly exciting launch. My advice? Go sign up for those notifications now. Based on past console launches, demand for this device is likely to be high.
I’ll be keeping a close eye on any developments and will update this post the moment pre-orders go live. In the meantime, let me know in the comments—which model are you leaning towards, the Ally X or the standard Ally?
