One month left for its arrival: This is what will surprise you about the ROG Xbox Ally

October will mark a before and after: what awaits us with the portable Xbox from ASUS.

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Next month, a new player will join the battle of portable consoles. Microsoft and ASUS have set a release date for the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, scheduled for October 16th, and we already know what they bring to the table: Windows 11 adapted for gaming, a complete Xbox interface, and direct access to unified libraries that include Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Battle.net, and more.

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In short, these devices are designed for you to play as you want: natively, in the cloud, or even with Remote Play from your Xbox. All of this with the idea that your library accompanies you no matter where you are. We can’t wait to get our hands on it, and if you’re like us, or maybe you still have doubts, we’ll clear them up for you.

What each model offers

• ROG Xbox Ally: the standard version features an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, designed to balance performance and consumption, seeking to make the battery last longer without compromising graphics too much.

• ROG Xbox Ally X: the advanced option raises the stakes with an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 1 TB of storage, 24 GB of RAM, and an 80 Wh battery. It also includes haptic triggers and AI functions like Auto Super Resolution (re scales games on the fly) and automatic recording of highlight plays.

Another interesting novelty is the Handheld Compatibility Program, a seal that will tell you if a game is “Handheld Optimized” (ready to play without touching anything) or “Mostly Compatible” (with minimal adjustments). There will even be a performance indicator to avoid surprises before installing.

More features and leaked prices

Microsoft has already announced that these portables will receive updates with improvements such as shader pre-loading to reduce startup times, better experience when connecting to large screens, and compatibility with accessories. Among them, the ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller stands out, which will be released this Christmas.

Leaked prices

As for the price, leaks point to €599 for the standard model and €899 for the Ally X model in Europe. The only difference would be a small surcharge on the basic version compared to the direct conversion from dollars, something quite common in this type of launch. We also have to see when Microsoft opens the reservation campaign, just a month before its arrival, we’re still waiting. It shouldn’t take much longer.

What’s clear is that October 16th will be an important day: Xbox and ASUS are putting a real alternative on the table for those looking for a portable device capable of moving the entire Xbox and PC ecosystem in a single device.