Will the ROG Xbox Ally Be the Ultimate Handheld?

We’re living in exciting times. Technology is advancing so quickly that handheld gaming devices are now powerful enough to run modern PC games — something unthinkable back in the early 2010s. Sure, there are still some limitations, but the idea of playing AAA PC titles on the go is now a reality.

Recently, Microsoft announced a new handheld in collaboration with ASUS: the ROG Xbox Ally. On paper, it looks like a game-changer. Here's why I think this device could set a new standard:

1. A True Leap in Processing Power

The ROG Xbox Ally is expected to be the first handheld to feature the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor — a big step up from the already-impressive Z1 Extreme. While the MSI Claw A8 will also use the Z2 chip, it won’t have the AI version at launch.

We’re talking about a 20–30% performance boost, making Full HD gaming on medium to high settings possible for demanding titles like Hogwarts Legacy or Cyberpunk 2077. Plus, the AI engine inside the chip supports up to 50 TOPS of processing — perfect for potential AI-based upscaling and frame generation.

I’m also hoping this tech helps with battery optimization, which would be a huge win for handheld longevity.

2. Comfortable, Familiar Design

Let’s be honest: ergonomics is a weak point for many handhelds. Long gaming sessions can take a toll on your wrists. But the ROG Xbox Ally borrows the form factor of the Xbox controller — which is widely praised for its comfort, especially in shooters.

Pair that with a 120Hz Full HD display, DXC anti-reflection coating, and 500 nits of brightness, and you’ve got a device built not just for power, but usability — indoors or outdoors.

3. A Better Interface — Finally

One of the ROG Ally’s biggest drawbacks is its reliance on Windows, which isn’t optimized for handhelds. Mapping buttons through ASUS’ Armoury Crate SE every time gets old quickly.

The Xbox Ally seems set to fix that, offering a console-like experience out of the box. With Xbox as the main interface, the device could be ready to play right after you unpack it. I’m curious to see how this will work with third-party stores like Steam, Epic, or EA.

What Could Hold It Back?

Even with all these strengths, there are a couple of concerns I can't ignore:

No Native Xbox Console Game Support (Yet?)

Despite the Xbox branding, the ROG Xbox Ally seems to support only the PC Game Pass library, not the Xbox console titles. That means no native access to games from Xbox 360, Xbox One, or Series X|S — a letdown if you were hoping for full Xbox ecosystem compatibility.

I would have assumed, given the name, that you'd get access to the full Xbox library. Hopefully, that could change in the future.

The Price

Rumors suggest a launch price of around $700 USD for the base model and up to $1,000 USD for the Xbox Ally X. If you're already a PC gamer, that’s not surprising — the components likely justify the price.

Still, that’s a steep entry point for a handheld, and it could limit its market reach. If sales don’t hit expectations, it might put pressure on Microsoft and ASUS to rethink a future version.

So…

The ROG Xbox Ally looks like it might finally bring together Microsoft’s software, ASUS’ hardware expertise, and AMD’s next-gen silicon in one handheld. It has everything I’m looking for: performance, portability, comfort, and smart AI-powered features.

I’m definitely keeping a close eye on this one. Could it be the ultimate handheld gaming device? Maybe. It’s certainly the closest we’ve come so far.