The desire to move the gaming experience from the home and on the move has been a desire for gamers, but portable but somewhat cumbersome machines aren’t always the solution. And while current hybrid handheld consoles get the job done, they often sacrifice power and performance for portability, but more importantly, limit a player’s library of games to console-specific titles.
For the gamer who wishes for the freedom of having what’s essentially a portable version of their current gaming rig in a more compact size, the ROG Xbox Ally series not only brings impressive handheld performance to the table, but also the flexibility of PC gaming along with it.
Developed in collaboration with Microsoft Xbox, the ROG Xbox Ally levels up the experience with a smoother, more intuitive gaming interface, as gamers can now make use of its console-inspired UI that’s optimised for joystick and button controls, meaning there’s no longer a need to fumble around with complex settings menus, making installing and playing games a seamless experience done with just a few button presses.
The advantages of having Xbox integration don’t end there, as the handheld also benefits from Xbox Game Bar integration, a tool designed to allow players quick access to important features with just a single button press, even while in-game. Simply press the new Xbox button to launch the Game Bar, where players can adjust system settings on the fly, check game performance, capture screenshots and game footage, or even chat with their Xbox friends without needing to exit a game.
As a portable console, the ROG Xbox Ally is designed to be a true companion to a user’s current gaming setup, and that’s where Xbox Play Anywhere comes in, which allows players to pick up right where they left off on their main PC or Xbox console by signing in with their Xbox accounts to sync game progress and achievements across their gaming ecosystem.
With a vast library of PC games across the Xbox store or other third-party digital storefronts such as Steam, the ROG Xbox Ally series not only gives players the freedom of choice, but also the power to run the latest PC games like Hollow Knight: Silksong or Baldur’s Gate 3 smoothly, with the base model packing an AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor and its beefier twin, the ROG Xbox Ally X, boasting an upgraded AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, meaning the dream of AAA gaming on the go is now no longer just a dream.
It’s not just about a device’s performance either, as when it comes to handheld consoles, having a capable battery is important to ensure uninterrupted gaming sessions. That’s why the ROG Xbox Ally X is equipped with a high-capacity 80Wh battery, while the base model comes with an efficient 60Wh design, both built to go the distance and ensure the fun isn’t hindered by a constant need to scramble for a charging point.
Immersion isn’t placed at the sidelines too, as the ROG Xbox Ally series is built around providing players with not only the clearest, but also the smoothest and most tactile experience possible. Both device variants come with a 500-nit backlit 1080p display capable of outputting at a silky-smooth 120Hz refresh rate, with FreeSync Premium variable refresh rate (VRR) support while in-game to ensure smooth framerates without immersion-breaking screen tearing.
Both ROG Xbox Ally variants are designed for comfort, with their grips contoured to match an Xbox gaming controller featuring textured grips for a more secure hold, making it the perfect fit for extended play sessions. The ROG Xbox Ally X takes immersion even further with its impulse triggers, featuring additional motors for localised haptic feedback that respond to a player’s in-game actions, such as gun recoil or drawing a bow, letting players truly lose themselves in the game world.
When it comes to handheld gaming, a common concern is that games often lose detail when transitioning to a smaller screen, with experiences often marred by a fuzzy image and an overall washed-out picture. To combat this, the ROG Xbox Ally series makes use of Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR), a system-level feature that makes use of the device’s NPU to upscale games running at lower resolutions, offering sharper details while still maintaining smooth framerates across a wide range of titles, with no additional input required from game developers. It’s all about giving players not just ultimate flexibility, but maximum performance and clarity too.
The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will launch on 17 October 2025, and pre-orders are already up at S$799 and S$1,299 respectively. Early birds who pre-order the ROG Xbox Ally will also receive an ROG Xbox Ally (2-in-1) Premium Case, while those who pre-order the ROG Xbox Ally X will receive an ROG Slash Sling Bag.
Kevin is a reformed PC Master Race gamer with a penchant for franchise “duds” like Darksiders III and Dead Space 3. He has made it his life-long mission to play every single major game release – lest his wallet dies trying.
Si Jia
The Baroness
