Microsoft held its Xbox Video games Showcase 2025 this Sunday afternoon (June 9), unveiling main updates for its gaming ecosystem. Alongside a wave of recent recreation trailers, the corporate additionally confirmed one thing followers have lengthy speculated: the launch of its first-ever handheld console—the ROG Xbox Ally.
The system will are available in two variations: the usual ROG Xbox Ally and the higher-end ROG Xbox Ally X. It’s positioned as a severe competitor to the Steam Deck and the anticipated Nintendo Change 2. Each variations are primarily based on ASUS’s ROG Ally X, which initially launched in 2024.
Because the names counsel, every mannequin targets a unique viewers. The usual Ally is right for avid gamers who need a extra reasonably priced choice and aren’t too involved with maxing out graphics in each recreation. However, the Ally X is constructed for lovers who need full entry to AAA video games on the go—no compromises.
ROG Xbox Ally Specs and Key Options
To make sure clean efficiency with the newest video games, Microsoft geared up the ROG Xbox Ally with AMD’s new Ryzen Z2A processor, whereas the higher-end Ally X will get the much more highly effective Ryzen AI Z2 Excessive. The usual mannequin consists of 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, whereas the Ally X comes with 24GB of RAM and a full 1TB SSD out of the field.
In line with earlier leaks, the Ryzen Z2A seems to be a modified model of the Steam Deck’s chip, that includes a 4-core/8-thread CPU primarily based on the Zen 2 structure, an 8-core RDNA 2 GPU, and a configurable TDP between 6 and 20 watts. The Ryzen AI Z2 Excessive, in the meantime, steps issues up considerably with an 8-core/16-thread CPU on the newer Zen 5 structure, a 16-core RDNA 3.5 GPU, and a TDP vary of 15 to 35 watts. The important thing addition here’s a devoted NPU (Neural Processing Unit) able to 50 TOPS (trillions of operations per second), designed particularly for AI duties, marking a primary for this chip line.
Constructed-in Home windows 11
Each variations come pre-installed with Home windows 11 Residence. It’s a customized model, in fact, with a gaming-centric interface. It’s just like what ASUS did with Armoury Crate. The objective is to ship a real Xbox-like expertise, however in handheld kind. Identical to on ASUS’s handheld PC, customers also can entry video games from a number of platforms instantly by means of a unified library. The checklist consists of Steam, Epic Video games Retailer, Battle.internet, and, in fact, Xbox titles.
The console interface is designed to optimize efficiency by launching straight right into a simplified, full-screen gaming mode. This method reduces background processes like wallpapers, taskbars, and pointless Home windows capabilities, liberating up system assets for gameplay. Even system notifications have been reworked to keep away from interrupting the expertise, primarily based on direct suggestions from avid gamers.
Microsoft additionally revamped the Sport Bar to raised swimsuit the hand held format. A fast press of the Xbox button opens shortcuts for Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, the Management Middle, and even Copilot Gaming. Holding the button lets you rapidly change between open apps and video games. It makes multitasking smoother and extra intuitive than ever earlier than.
For now, there are not any particulars relating to the launch date and the official worth for each fashions. Nonetheless, it’s attention-grabbing to see Microsoft partnering with ASUS for the launch of its official Xbox handheld. The corporate saves itself from the problem of coping with console manufacturing and may agency its presence within the phase. In the meantime, ASUS can now get additional power with the Xbox title on this discipline.