Microsoft and Asus Collaborate on New ROG Xbox Ally Handheld Consoles

Microsoft and Asus Unveil Portable Gaming Consoles

Microsoft and Asus have announced an exciting collaboration in the portable gaming market. The two companies have developed two new ROG Xbox Ally handheld consoles, slated for release during the upcoming holiday season. These devices, born out of “Project Kennan,” aim to streamline the Windows operating system to offer a direct, gaming-focused interface similar to an Xbox console.

Introducing Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X

The newly introduced white Xbox Ally is tailored for 720p gaming, whereas the more robust black Xbox Ally X offers gaming experiences at resolutions ranging from 900p to 1080p. Both devices feature a 7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate and support for variable refresh rate (VRR). Significant hardware differences are as follows:

• Xbox Ally: Equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16 GB LPDDR5X-6400 RAM, and a 512 GB M.2 SSD.
• Xbox Ally X: Boasts an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24 GB LPDDR5X-8000 RAM, and a 1 TB M.2 SSD.

Asus and Microsoft claim these new handhelds are not only powerful but also efficient, delivering silent operations and extended battery life for on-the-go gaming.

Unified Gaming Experience Across Platforms

A standout feature of these handheld consoles is the full-screen Xbox interface, which minimizes the Windows OS distractions and focuses solely on gaming. This interface allows users to jump straight into the Xbox application upon startup, consolidating games from platforms like Microsoft Store, Steam, Epic Games, and Battle.net into one cohesive library. The new Xbox button facilitates easy navigation back to this interface at any time. Additionally, gamers can stream games via Xbox Series X, with support for Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play. This means whether a game is installed locally or accessed through the cloud, players can manage everything from this unified interface. The Game Bar and Xbox app have been redesigned for these handheld consoles, eliminating the need for touch screen interactions to log in, switch apps, or adjust settings.

Enhanced Ergonomics and Connectivity

The consoles feature curved grips for better ergonomics, reminiscent of the Xbox controller. Notably, the Xbox Ally X includes an “impulse trigger” for tactile feedback during gameplay. Both models support microSD cards for expandable storage without requiring special solutions. Connectivity options include USB-C ports on both devices, with the Xbox Ally offering two USB-C 3.2 ports, while the Xbox Ally X includes a Thunderbolt 4-compatible USB-C port. Both models support DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery 3.0, facilitating video output to TVs or monitors.

The Xbox Ally is powered by a 60Wh battery, which is 50% larger than the original ROG Ally, while the Xbox Ally X is equipped with an 80Wh battery. In terms of weight, the Ally model is 670 grams, and the Ally X weighs in at 715 grams.

Release Date and Availability

These handheld consoles are set to debut during this year’s holiday season. Although pricing and pre-order details remain undisclosed, Turkey is included among the first-phase launch countries. The Xbox Ally and Ally X will be available in major markets such as the US, Canada, Japan, the UK, and multiple countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.

Specifications of ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X