Microsoft Gaming and ASUS have confirmed that the ROG Xbox Ally and the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X will be released worldwide on October 16. The launch will cover the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East on day one, while countries like Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Thailand will see availability in early 2026. Pricing and pre-orders will be announced in the coming weeks.
The two handhelds were co-developed by Xbox and ASUS ROG with the idea of giving players the flexibility to enjoy console-quality games anywhere. The regular ROG Xbox Ally comes with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16 gigabytes of LPDDR5X RAM, a 512 gigabyte SSD, and a 60-watt-hour battery. The ROG Xbox Ally X steps up the performance with a Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24 gigabytes of faster LPDDR5X RAM, a 1-terabyte SSD, and a larger 80-watt-hour battery, making it better suited for long gaming sessions without charging.
Both versions use a seven-inch display with 1080p resolution and support for a 120Hz refresh rate with FreeSync, which ensures smoother gameplay. The ROG Xbox Ally, available in white, is designed to deliver smooth performance at 720p, while the black ROG Xbox Ally X is tuned for 1080p gaming and can handle more demanding titles.
To improve the gaming experience, Xbox has introduced a new Handheld Compatibility Program. Under this program, games in the Xbox library will carry either a “Handheld Optimized” or a “Mostly Compatible” badge. Handheld Optimized titles will run perfectly with proper controller support and resolution settings, while Mostly Compatible games may need small adjustments from players. This move is expected to make it easier for users to know which games will work best on the handhelds.
Another important addition is advanced shader delivery. This system preloads shaders at the time of download, which reduces stutter during gameplay, speeds up load times, and improves power efficiency. On the Ally X, the new Ryzen AI processor will also unlock AI-powered features. One of the first will be Automatic Super Resolution, which will upscale games for smoother visuals without impacting performance. Another feature called Highlight Reels will automatically capture key gameplay moments, allowing players to relive their best action without manual recording.
Both devices will be available for hands-on play at Gamescom 2025. A selection of major games, including Gears of War: Reloaded, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, DOOM: The Dark Ages, Hogwarts Legacy, and Lies of P will be showcased to highlight the performance of the handhelds.
To celebrate the launch, ASUS ROG is bringing back Grand Theft Auto V actors Ned Luke and Shawn Fonteno as part of its ROG Travel campaign. Fans will have the chance to meet them at the ROG booth during Gamescom and join in launch activities.
