Microsoft confirms $599 price for ROG Xbox Ally, $999 for high-end Ally X

[Daniel Sims]

The takeaway: Microsoft waited weeks to announce the final price for its handheld collaboration with Asus, probably due to the chaotic situation regarding tariffs in the US. With all details confirmed less than a month from launch, the basic model offers a deal closely resembling the Steam Deck, while the flagship variant must compete with similar devices from Lenovo and GPD.

Pre-orders are now open for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. Launching on October 16, the basic version starts at $599, while a more powerful model will retail for $999.

Despite being the first Xbox-branded portable gaming devices, they broadly resemble prior Windows-based handheld gaming PCs, such as the GPD Win, Lenovo Legion Go, and Asus ROG Ally. The primary differences are that they will introduce a new user interface for Windows gaming and a backend service to address shader compilation stutter.

The new UI, called the Xbox Full screen experience, enables users to install and launch PC games from the Xbox Store, Battle.net, and other storefronts while bypassing the standard Windows desktop. The new frontend, which can save up to 2GB of RAM, will debut on the ROG Xbox Ally before coming to other handheld PCs.

Meanwhile, Microsoft recently announced a developer preview for Advanced Shader Delivery, which allows the ROG Xbox Ally to download pre-compiled shaders before launching a game. This removes the need to compile shaders while playing, a process that significantly impacts performance.

Regarding hardware, the standard ROG Xbox Ally features an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, which closely resembles the Steam Deck's processor. At $599 with 512GB of internal storage, the ROG Xbox Ally offers a similar deal to the 512GB Steam Deck, which costs $549. Valve also offers a 1TB model for $649 and a 256GB variant that is currently on sale for $319.

The differences between Microsoft's and Valve's handhelds are minor. The ROG Xbox Ally features a 1080p 120Hz IPS display, while the 512GB Steam Deck includes an 800p 90Hz OLED screen, both supporting VRR.

For $1,000, the ROG Xbox Ally X features the faster Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme SoC, 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 1TB of storage. The Lenovo Legion Go 2, also coming next month, offers similar hardware with more memory, detachable controllers, and a 144Hz screen in a more expensive package.

However, the recently released GPD Win 5 is by far the most powerful and expensive handheld gaming PC currently available. Starting at $1,648, its Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processor competes with an Nvidia RTX 4060. The catch is that the device requires an external battery that connects through a cable or attaches to the rear.

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Microsoft confirms $599 price for ROG Xbox Ally, $999 for high-end Ally X

 

[ScottSoapbox]

$1000 is too much. Glad I got my Ally X for $800.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

So what does it being xbox do? It's just an ally with the xbox brand and a higher pricetag. What is the sale spitch here?

 

[Dreadcthulhu]

So what does it being xbox do? It's just an ally with the xbox brand and a higher pricetag. What is the sale spitch here?

As the article mentions, it has a new optional UI that is designed for controller operation; that would be the biggest difference. But yeah, otherwise it seems pretty lame. Personally I would only get a Windows handheld if you want to play games with windows-only anti-cheat on them while on the go; for other games SteamOS is just better at the point; looking at the Legion Go benches on the same hardware SteamOS gets both better performance & better battery life in the large majority of titles.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

As the article mentions, it has a new optional UI that is designed for controller operation; that would be the biggest difference. But yeah, otherwise it seems pretty lame. Personally I would only get a Windows handheld if you want to play games with windows-only anti-cheat on them while on the go; for other games SteamOS is just better at the point; looking at the Legion Go benches on the same hardware SteamOS gets both better performance & better battery life in the large majority of titles.

Yes, but that appears to be part of windows 11, nothing to do with the Xbox name. Win11 is supposedly getting a handheld mode that includes a new UI and limited background tasks.

 

[dangh]

This thing doesn't even have touchpads, and a bloated windows on top.
I just wish steam deck 2 was already released...

 

[Eldrach]

This thing doesn't even have touchpads, and a bloated windows on top.
I just wish steam deck 2 was already released...

Actually this has a debloated Windows version...which is still bloated...but not AS bloated

 

[Eldrach]

Sorry, but Asus cheaped out on the screen and the memory on this one - doesn't justify the pricing.

After trying the Switch 2 I can only conclude that 7,9 / "8" is the perfect fit for a handheld.

They wouldn't even need to make the device any bigger - there is plenty of realestate on the new device around the screen they're not using for anything

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Sorry, but Asus cheaped out on the screen and the memory on this one - doesn't justify the pricing.

After trying the Switch 2 I can only conclude that 7,9 / "8" is the perfect fit for a handheld.

They wouldn't even need to make the device any bigger - there is plenty of realestate on the new device around the screen they're not using for anything

I'm guessing you've never actually looked at the inside of one of these things. They are packed, there's not an ounce of free space left over. Making it smalle rowuld mean compromising on the battery capacity and cooling.,

 

[dangh]

Sorry, but Asus cheaped out on the screen and the memory on this one - doesn't justify the pricing.

After trying the Switch 2 I can only conclude that 7,9 / "8" is the perfect fit for a handheld.

Generally I understand the sentiment, but honestly if I could get a ps vita sized device with steam deck like performance and good battery life it would be a perfect machine. No need for 8 inch of the whole device is slick and tidy. But yes, screen to body ratio in asus is just poor. Nevertheless switch is a no go for me as the limitations are way too severe for a hh device.

 

[scavengerspc]

Can anyone help me here? For every question, there is way more than one "answer" that I don't understand, so I figured why not ask here?

1. What are shaders?
2. Why do I see "shaders are being compiled" so often? What does that mean?
3. If precompiled shaders can be downloaded separately, why not just include them
when the game is installed?

Thanks in advance.

 

[toooooot]

$1000 is too much. Glad I got my Ally X for $800.

Microsoft in title adds $200 extra coolness

 

[toooooot]

Can anyone help me here? For every question, there is way more than one "answer" that I don't understand, so I figured why not ask here?

1. What are shaders?
2. Why do I see "shaders are being compiled" so often? What does that mean?
3. If precompiled shaders can be downloaded separately, why not just include them
when the game is installed?

Thanks in advance.

I usually ask chatgpt to explain in a simple language when I have a question like this. So far, it gave me the best explanations I could understand and remember

 

[Eldrach]

I'm guessing you've never actually looked at the inside of one of these things. They are packed, there's not an ounce of free space left over. Making it smalle rowuld mean compromising on the battery capacity and cooling.,

The MSI Claw went with an 8 inch screen and it's virtually the same size. I reckon you own a smart phone or an Ipad - thin screens does not take up space inside the device, they just cheaped out in order to keep margins high here. There's plenty of space for an 8 inch screen without making the device bigger on the new Rog XboX Ally or whatever it's called.

I'd say they got it almost right on this one, hopefully we'll see an Oled version with 8 inch screen sometime next year

 

[Megalomaniac]

I haven't even touched my Xbox in years.
The real question for me is how well it integrates STEAM and runs STEAM games.

Will you be able to run GTA 6 on this?

Battlefield 6?

Call of Duty Black Ops 6?

 

[Megalomaniac]

The biggest problem for me: I see no Xbox exclusives worth rushing out to buy an Xbox Series X or this handheld.

 

[Eldrach]

I haven't even touched my Xbox in years.
The real question for me is how well it integrates STEAM and runs STEAM games.

Will you be able to run GTA 6 on this?

Battlefield 6?

Call of Duty Black Ops 6?

Look at it as an Xbox themed PC - because that’s what it is. It can run just about any PC game at acceptable framerates.
The only way it’ll run gta6 be if Microsoft allows it to be streamed through Gamepass Ultimate

 

[Starfals]

Insane price. Why is everything new in 2025 so out of touch and insanely priced? Nobody wants these, nobody wants Gen 5 SSD (2TB) that cost an arm and leg. Nobody wants 1500 bucks RTX 5080... I can keep going and going. 2025 is the worst year I have ever seen. Even games became 80 bucks, and I was barely buying games at 60 lol. GG.

 

[Megalomaniac]

Insane price. Why is everything new in 2025 so out of touch and insanely priced? Nobody wants these, nobody wants Gen 5 SSD (2TB) that cost an arm and leg. Nobody wants 1500 bucks RTX 5080... I can keep going and going. 2025 is the worst year I have ever seen. Even games became 80 bucks, and I was barely buying games at 60 lol. GG.

I bought a 5090FE on release day. About $2149 with tax.

I bought a iPhone Pro Max 2TB just last week. About $2149 with tax.

If you want to know why prices are so high, ask the POTUS who felt it necessary to try to extort the world into submission with tariffs and then TACOed when he realized some of them wouldn't fold.

The threats themselves drove up prices and spiked interest/demand.

 

[Eldrach]

I bought a 5090FE on release day. About $2149 with tax.

I bought a iPhone Pro Max 2TB just last week. About $2149 with tax.

If you want to know why prices are so high, ask the POTUS who felt it necessary to try to extort the world into submission with tariffs and then TACOed when he realized some of them wouldn't fold.

The threats themselves drove up prices and spiked interest/demand.

Tariffs ain't necessarily a "bad" thing if it's introduced carefully over time in coordination with suppliers and the countries in question. When they change every 15 min and are subject to insane rates..or no rates..or medium rates..all over the course of 3 months - It creates chaos.
I'm working with alot of B2B suppliers, and they tried compensating in Q1/Q2 for the tariffs to keep their marketshare..But they eventually had to increase pricing as they can't compensate forever. Margins are already low on most computer components - and taking a 15% margin loss just isn't viable over time.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Insane price. Why is everything new in 2025 so out of touch and insanely priced? Nobody wants these, nobody wants Gen 5 SSD (2TB) that cost an arm and leg. Nobody wants 1500 bucks RTX 5080... I can keep going and going. 2025 is the worst year I have ever seen. Even games became 80 bucks, and I was barely buying games at 60 lol. GG.

I'll take "What happens when you double the global money supply in 5 years" Alex.

 

[Megalomaniac]

I'll take "What happens when you double the global money supply in 5 years" Alex.

Ducktales taught us about inflation.

Modern cartoons teach nothing.

 

[lonetac]

Can anyone help me here? For every question, there is way more than one "answer" that I don't understand, so I figured why not ask here?

1. What are shaders?
2. Why do I see "shaders are being compiled" so often? What does that mean?
3. If precompiled shaders can be downloaded separately, why not just include them
when the game is installed?

Thanks in advance.

They are basically things that help display graphics. They need to be rebuilt everytime you update your driver as they cache to your system. Sometimes patches cause you to need to update as well if part of the graphics code (generic term) is updated or changed. This is usually performance, optimizations and things like that.

no.3 - I dunno, probably something to do with each unique graphics card and application this would be nearly impossible to do and bloat the software to be 100s of gigs bigger or more (I am guessing).

 

[scavengerspc]

They are basically things that help display graphics. They need to be rebuilt everytime you update your driver as they cache to your system. Sometimes patches cause you to need to update as well if part of the graphics code (generic term) is updated or changed. This is usually performance, optimizations and things like that.

no.3 - I dunno, probably something to do with each unique graphics card and application this would be nearly impossible to do and bloat the software to be 100s of gigs bigger or more (I am guessing).

Ok so they are basically small programs that control individual graphics tasks.
Well, that is easy enough. You wouldn't believe how many different ways they are "explained" out there, but I knew eventually someone here that actually knows would happen by.
Thanks!

 

[Eldrach]

Ok so they are basically small programs that control individual graphics tasks.
Well, that is easy enough. You wouldn't believe how many different ways they are "explained" out there, but I knew eventually someone here that actually knows would happen by.
Thanks!

Shader compilation is necessary on PC because we run such a huge variety of PC setups. So when shaders are compiling, it's basically attuning the software to your system - which is also why changing any component used to run the game will usually trigger another shader compilation (apart from diskdrives).
This is also why gaming handhelds have been advertising that they'll begin having precompiled shaders due to using the same system chip. The only component you can swap on the handhelds are the drives, which doesn't affect the shader setup.