Everything We Know About the ROG Xbox Ally

There have been rumours for a while, but on 20th June 2025, the ROG Xbox Ally was finally announced. 

For those who didn’t hear the news, this is Xbox’s attempt at their very own handheld device, having partnered with ASUS Republic of Gamers to create a powerful, portable gaming console designed to bring Xbox’s game library right into your hands. It’s a daring feat, especially with the amount of competition in the market. But it’s one that might just pay off if the last few weeks are anything to go by.

The Handheld Scene in 2025

When people talk about the ‘handheld scene’, they often start with Nintendo Switch, which has apparently been the biggest player in the market for years. 

But what a lot of people forget is that smartphones are also handheld devices. The iGaming industry itself – which is currently worth over $100 billion – can lend all its thanks to smartphones for its massive growth over the decades. 

But even outside of the online casino scene, smartphones have grown so capable that they can start playing AAA games, with the latest iPhone released with the most powerful gaming chip yet. Smartphones, really, are the main handheld devices Xbox are competing against. And that’s what makes it so important for Microsoft to get this right.

The Specs of ROG Xbox Ally

The good thing for Xbox lovers is that, so far, the future for ROG Xbox Ally is looking bright. One of the most important things about this handheld is that it isn’t just a portable Xbox in name.

It’s expected to seamlessly integrate with Xbox Game Pass and cloud gaming, allowing players to stream or download titles directly to the device. 

The performance specs of the ROG Xbox Ally are also outstanding. Powered by a custom AMD Ryzen APU and boasting a refresh-rate display of around 120Hz, this device promises performance that even the Steam Deck or Switch couldn’t replicate. It should also be noted how beautiful, sleek, and lightweight the design is. 

The ROG Xbox Ally is clearly tailored for long gaming sessions, with ergonomic grips, a full button layout, and customisable RGB lighting making it one of the most comfortable handhelds in the market. 

The Future of ROG Xbox Ally

So we know the specs and the look of the new Xbox handheld, but do we really know its future is bright? As we mentioned before, the handheld market is still being dominated by smartphones, and the Nintendo Switch has so far had things covered in the console department. 

But the winds are shifting. When it comes to Nintendo, there were a lot of raised eyebrows regarding the pricing of the Switch 2, and the fact it didn’t come with a wide range of exclusive games has proven to be a misstep. 

In terms of smartphones, too, plenty of seasoned gamers still struggle with the touchscreen aspect, with many using smartphones purely for the iGaming-verse and for fun, blah games that you can find on the app store. 

With this in mind, there’s a strong chance the ROG Xbox Ally can carve out its own niche by appealing to a different kind of gamer – those who want the depth and control of console gaming without having to sacrifice portability. But as ever in the gaming space, we might know all there is to know about this new handheld device, but we won’t know quite how successful it will be until it hits the market.