Asus and Microsoft Unveil ROG Xbox Ally Handhelds for October Launch

Asus and Microsoft have announced that the new ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handheld gaming PCs will be available in Canada and worldwide on October 16, 2023. This revelation was made during Gamescom in Germany, where the devices are showcased for the first time. These handhelds represent a collaboration that integrates Asus’ popular ROG architecture with distinctive Xbox features.

The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X were first introduced at the Xbox Games Showcase in June. Both models are designed specifically for Xbox gamers and will support popular gaming platforms, including the Microsoft Store, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. This cross-platform compatibility expands the gaming experience for users.

In terms of specifications, the entry-level ROG Xbox Ally packs a powerful AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor with four Zen 2 cores and eight threads, complemented by eight AMD RDNA 2 GPU cores. It also includes 16GB of LPDDR5X‐6400 RAM, a 512GB M.2 SSD, and a 60Wh battery. The more advanced ROG Xbox Ally X features an enhanced AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, which boasts an eight-core/16-thread Zen 5 APU with 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, an integrated NPU, 24GB of LPDDR5X‐8000 memory, a 1TB M.2 SSD, and an 80Wh battery.

Innovative Features and Enhanced Gaming Experience

At Gamescom, Asus introduced several new features for the devices. Notably, the Xbox Ally X’s NPU will enable AI-driven functionalities starting in early 2026. These include Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) for improving game visuals when running at lower resolutions, as well as AI-generated highlight reels from gameplay moments, like intense boss battles, for easy sharing.

In addition to these innovations, the ROG Xbox Ally will support faster game launches. The Xbox app will preload a game’s shaders during download, allowing supported games to launch up to 10 times faster, run more smoothly, and consume less battery on first play.

Microsoft has also been actively collaborating with game studios to enhance the performance of PC titles on the new devices through its Handheld Compatibility Program. This initiative aims to optimize “thousands” of games, providing clear indicators of compatibility. Two labels will be used at launch: “Handheld Optimized” for games fully playable on the handhelds and “Mostly Compatible” for those that may need minor adjustments.

Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, Asus and Microsoft have not yet disclosed pricing details. However, it is noted that the Canadian pricing for the standard Ally is expected to be around $650, while the Ally X is projected to cost approximately $1,099. Further information regarding pre-orders will be announced in the coming weeks.

MobileSyrup is present at Gamescom and will provide additional updates on the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, along with other gaming news from the event.