Handheld gaming has entered a new era in 2025. After years of speculation and demand, Microsoft has finally revealed its first dedicated handheld gaming consoles: the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. These devices promise to change how Xbox fans experience their favorite games, bringing the power of Xbox Game Pass and PC gaming to the palm of your hand.
Xbox Handheld 2025: A Long-Awaited Leap
For over a decade, gamers have wondered when Microsoft would enter the handheld market. The announcement of the ROG Xbox Ally in June 2025 finally answered that question. Developed in partnership with Asus, a leader in gaming hardware, the Xbox Ally is designed to let players access their entire Xbox Game Pass library on the go, offering hundreds of games instantly. Microsoft’s move follows the massive success of the Nintendo Switch and the growing popularity of PC-based handhelds like the Steam Deck. With 34 million Game Pass subscribers worldwide, the demand for a portable Xbox experience has never been higher.
ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X: Specs and Features
The ROG Xbox Ally comes in two versions: the standard Ally and the more powerful Ally X. Both feature a 7-inch 1080p display, but their internal hardware sets them apart. The base model offers 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, while the Ally X boasts 24GB of RAM and a massive 1TB of storage, plus a larger battery for extended play sessions. Both devices are powered by custom AMD Ryzen processors, ensuring smooth performance for modern games.
A key feature is the dedicated Xbox app interface, which boots directly on startup. This interface is optimized for handheld use, making it easy to browse your library, launch games, and chat with friends. The devices also support cloud gaming, remote play from your home Xbox console, and even third-party apps like Steam, Epic Games Store, and Discord. This flexibility means you can play Xbox, PC, and even some rival platform games on a single device.
Game Pass on the Go: A Library in Your Hands
Perhaps the biggest selling point of the Xbox Ally is its seamless integration with Xbox Game Pass. Subscribers can access hundreds of games, including new releases and indie hits, directly from the device. Popular titles like “Balatro,” “Gears Tactics,” and “Vampire Survivors” are available at launch, and Microsoft is working with Roblox to make it natively playable on the Ally for the first time. This vast library gives the Xbox Ally a major advantage over rivals, especially for players who want variety without buying individual games.
Comparison: Xbox Ally vs Switch 2 vs Steam Deck
The handheld gaming market in 2025 is more competitive than ever. Nintendo’s Switch 2, released just days before the Xbox Ally announcement, continues the hybrid home-and-portable model and is expected to sell 15 million units in its first nine months. Valve’s Steam Deck, meanwhile, has carved out a niche among PC gamers, with the market for PC handhelds projected to reach nearly 13 million units by 2028.
In terms of hardware, the Ally X leads with 24GB of RAM, outpacing both the Switch 2 and Steam Deck, which offer 16GB. The Ally’s ability to run Windows apps and access multiple game libraries also sets it apart. However, it is heavier than the competition, weighing 670g for the base model and 715g for the X, compared to the Switch 2’s 534g. The price remains a mystery, but analysts expect the Ally X to be more expensive than the Switch 2 and on par with the higher-end Steam Deck models.
Challenges and Misconceptions
Some gamers believe the Xbox Ally is a unique, console-like device, but in reality, it is essentially a powerful Windows 11 handheld PC with a dedicated Xbox interface. This means it offers more flexibility than a traditional console but may lack some of the simplicity. The new Xbox full-screen experience, which launches on the Ally, will eventually roll out to other Windows handhelds, making this interface more widely available.
Another challenge is the device’s weight and battery life, which could be a concern for players seeking true portability. Still, the combination of hardware power, Game Pass access, and PC compatibility makes the Xbox Ally a compelling choice for serious gamers.
The Future of Xbox Portable Gaming
Microsoft’s entry into handheld gaming marks a major shift in the industry. By combining the strengths of Xbox Game Pass, PC gaming, and portable hardware, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X set a new standard for what handheld consoles can offer. As the devices launch at the end of 2025, their success will depend on pricing, game optimization, and continued support from developers. For now, Xbox fans and portable gaming enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to as the boundaries between console, PC, and handheld gaming continue to blur.