Microsoft and Asus have teamed up to introduce two new ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, part of the “Project Kennan” initiative. These devices boast a new full-screen Xbox experience on Windows, designed specifically to be more handheld-friendly by simplifying the Windows interface and focusing purely on gaming.
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The white ROG Xbox Ally is tailored for 720p gaming, while the more powerful black ROG Xbox Ally X targets 900p to 1080p gaming on the go. Both models feature the same 7-inch, 1080p screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support, mirroring the existing ROG Ally and Ally X.
Under the hood, the standard Xbox Ally packs a new AMD Ryzen Z2 A chip, 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM, and 512GB of M.2 2280 SSD storage. The Xbox Ally X steps up with AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory, and a 1TB M.2 2280 SSD. While the core hardware is similar to Asus’s current Windows handheld gaming PCs, significant software changes promise a much-improved experience.
Shawn Yen, Vice President of Consumer at Asus, acknowledged that navigating Windows with joysticks and buttons has been challenging for some gamers. Both companies are deeply committed to these new handhelds, aiming to integrate the best of Xbox and Windows.
The new Xbox Ally devices can boot directly into a dedicated full-screen Xbox interface on Windows, built specifically for handhelds. A new dedicated Xbox button on the handhelds allows users to easily return to this console-like experience. This full-screen mode minimizes the Windows desktop and background processes, freeing up more memory for games. Users launch straight into the Xbox PC app, which conveniently aggregates all PC games from the Microsoft Store, Battle.net, and other leading storefronts.
This unified library means games from Xbox, Game Pass, and all PC titles from Steam, Epic Games Store, and elsewhere will be accessible from a single interface, much like the GOG launcher. Parts of this unified library have already started appearing in the Xbox PC app. Microsoft also stated that users will be able to access their full Xbox console library via Xbox Cloud Gaming or Remote Play. The idea is to seamlessly launch any game you own, whether it’s installed locally, streaming from your Xbox Series X over home Wi-Fi, or streaming from the cloud.
Microsoft has also made additional tweaks to the Xbox PC app and Game Bar for handheld usability. This includes controller-based login at the Windows lock screen, eliminating the need for touchscreen taps. The handheld-friendly Game Bar interface will also allow easy launching of apps like Discord, alt-tabbing between apps and games, and adjusting settings without fiddling with the touchscreen.
These new Xbox Ally handhelds feature Xbox-like contoured grips, designed for comfortable hand placement and easy access to all buttons and triggers, similar to Sony’s PlayStation Portal. The Xbox Ally X even includes impulse triggers found in modern Xbox controllers, providing haptic feedback for enhanced immersion, like feeling road terrain in racing games or bullet impacts in shooters.
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For connectivity, the Xbox Ally X boasts a USB-C 4 connector with Thunderbolt 4 support, allowing for external GPU connections, alongside a USB-C 3.2 port and a UHS-II microSD card reader. The standard Xbox Ally uses two USB-C 3.2 ports instead.
While specific performance benchmarks are not yet available, Microsoft and Asus are heavily emphasizing efficiency and battery life. Yen stated that “efficiency is our new superpower,” promising cooler, quieter gameplay and longer battery life. The Xbox Ally features a 60Wh battery (50% larger than the original ROG Ally), while the more powerful Xbox Ally X boasts an 80Wh battery, currently one of the largest in a handheld. Windows tweaks are also expected to improve battery efficiency, with Microsoft claiming a one-third reduction in drain during idle and sleep states.
For those seeking even more performance, these Xbox Ally devices can be docked to Asus’ XG mobile device, which offers an RTX 5090 laptop GPU, significantly enhancing gaming performance.
These new Xbox Ally handhelds are expected to launch during the holiday season later this year. Microsoft and Asus plan to share pricing and preorder information in the coming months.
