The Xbox Rog Ally handheld launch date might have simply leaked

Handheld gaming consoles are all the fad proper now. With the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, the success of Valve’s Steam Deck and the rise of moveable PCs, it’s no surprise Microsoft is about to enter the area.

At its annual Xbox Games Showcase in June, Microsoft introduced the ROG Xbox Ally, its first-ever handheld video games console. Developed in partnership with Asus and based mostly on the prevailing ROG Ally {hardware}, the brand new handheld will launch in two variations: the entry-level ROG Xbox Ally and the high-end ROG Xbox Ally X – two machines that can boot instantly into a brand new Xbox working system slightly than Windows, giving gamers direct entry to their digital Xbox libraries and Game Pass titles through the cloud.

But when will it arrive? According to the most recent leaks and rumours, you won’t have lengthy to attend to pre-order the console. Here’s all the things we all know thus far concerning the Xbox ROG Ally and Xbox ROG Ally X, from launch date to cost.

ROG Xbox Ally launch date: When will it launch?

While Microsoft solely said that the Xbox handheld will launch later this 12 months across the Christmas interval, rumours have begun circulating about its launch date. In late July, dependable leaker Billbil-kun claimed pre-orders for each fashions of the ROG Xbox Ally will go reside on Wednesday 20 August 2025.

This would coincide with an Xbox reside broadcast scheduled for that day at 2pm BST, one thing outlined in Xbox’s official programme. One phase of the stream is anticipated to deal with the Xbox Ally, which the leaker predicts will likely be when a launch date and pre-order particulars will likely be introduced.

ROG Xbox Ally value: How a lot may the hand-held price?

In mid-July, a report leaked the rumoured value of Microsoft’s new Xbox-branded handheld – and it’s unhealthy information for anybody hoping for a discount. As reported by 3djeugos, the ROG Xbox Ally X may begin at €599 for the bottom mannequin and €899 for the top-spec version.

Those costs have since been backed up by Dealabs leaker Bilbil-kun, who confirmed the figures in a report in late July. The leak was additional corroborated by an authorised Spanish Asus retailer, which briefly listed the handhelds on-line with matching costs.

If correct, that may make it dearer than the Xbox Series X (£493.48, Amazon.co.uk) dwelling console, however roughly consistent with the prevailing Asus ROG Ally system (£449.99, Amazon.co.uk), on which the upcoming Xbox handheld relies.

Rog Xbox Ally design and options

As effectively as an Xbox button, the ROG Xbox Ally will get longer, contoured hand grips that extra carefully resemble the Xbox controller. It additionally will get the Xbox controller’s impulse triggers, a pair of custom-built rumble motors positioned contained in the shoulder buttons that ship extra reasonable haptic suggestions.

Handheld gaming PCs have rocketed in reputation lately, with the Steam Deck among the many most profitable examples of the shape issue. Like the Steam Deck, the ROG Xbox Ally guarantees higher efficiency and effectivity by skipping the resource-gobbling Windows working system and booting into its personal devoted interface. The redesigned Xbox app is extra handheld-friendly and acts like a library in your whole PC video games library, together with video games from different storefronts.

Because it’s mainly a transportable PC in disguise, the ROG Xbox Ally will help third-party PC apps like Discord and even rival storefronts like Steam, Epic Games and GOG, so your whole PC gaming library will likely be playable on the brand new Xbox handheld.

ROG Xbox Ally X specs

The extra highly effective ROG Xbox Ally X is designed for 1080p gaming and runs on the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. The entry-level ROG Xbox Ally targets a extra modest 720p and makes use of a brand new AMD Ryzen 2A processor with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. Both use the identical show discovered within the current ROG Ally {hardware}, a 7in, 1080p display screen with a 120Hz refresh price and VRR help.

Best gaming handheld consoles in 2025

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The upcoming ROG Xbox Ally X relies on the present ROG Ally X from Asus, which you should purchase proper now should you don’t fancy ready round for Microsoft to stay a brand new button on it. One of the perfect handheld gaming PCs accessible at present, it pairs a strong AMD Ryzen Z1 processor with a whopping 24GB of RAM and an environment friendly cooling system to ship high-end gaming PC efficiency in a transportable kind issue.

As it’s basically a tiny PC, you possibly can launch the Xbox app as you’ll in your laptop computer or desktop to entry your digital video games library and stream video games through the cloud utilizing your Game Pass subscription. Microsoft guarantees that the Xbox-branded ROG Ally X will ship higher efficiency and battery life due to its streamlined Xbox interface.

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Valve’s moveable is the perfect funds handheld gaming PC you’ll discover, untethering your Steam video games library from the desktop to allow you to play anyplace you want. While more moderen handheld gaming PCs have outpaced the Steam Deck when it comes to specs, show and efficiency, the console’s value drop to only £349 makes it onerous to disregard.

Still greater than highly effective sufficient to play older titles, mid-range and indie video games, the Steam Deck can deal with current releases with out an excessive amount of choppiness. There’s a more moderen mannequin with an OLED show (£479, Steampowered.com), however the £130 premium locations it in competitors with extra highly effective handhelds just like the ROG Ally.

On the hunt for Nintendo’s new handheld? Here’s the place to discover the Switch 2 in inventory at present