Microsoft and Asus just built the Xbox handhelds you’ve actually been waiting for

After years of clunky Windows experiences on handhelds, Microsoft and Asus are doing something different, and maybe, just maybe, getting it right this time. Their latest collab has resulted in two new handhelds, the ROG Xbox Ally X and the standard ROG Xbox Ally, both running a new full-screen Xbox UI designed to put games first and the rest of Windows deep in the background.

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They’re launching under Project Kennan, a co-engineered initiative that’s been in stealth mode until now. The vision? Give gamers a portable Windows device that feels as fluid and focused as an Xbox console. No desktop, no random update pop-ups – just a clean, controller-first gaming experience. Let’s break it down.

ROG Xbox Ally X: Everything you need to know

The ROG Xbox Ally X is the high-performance model and comes clad in a sleek black chassis. Under the hood is AMD’s new Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, coupled with a generous 24GB of LPDDR5X-8000 RAM and a 1TB SSD.

It’s built for 1080p gaming on the go, but the big story is its efficiency. Asus has packed in an 80Wh battery, currently the largest you’ll find in a handheld, which means longer play sessions and less charging anxiety.

You also get Xbox-style contoured grips and impulse triggers for immersive haptics. So, you’d feel everything from terrain feedback in racing games to the impact of shots in an FPS. And if you want desktop-class power? There’s USB-C 4 with Thunderbolt support, letting you hook it up to an external GPU like the RTX 5090 via Asus’ XG Mobile dock.

As for the display? You get a sizable 7-inch 1080p screen with 120Hz refresh and VRR, just like the original Ally – bright, smooth, and sharp.

ROG Xbox Ally: Everything you need to know

The standard Xbox Ally, in white, offers a more affordable entry point without feeling like a step down. It swaps in the Ryzen Z2 A processor (rumoured to be based on the same chip used in the Steam Deck) and comes with 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM and a 512GB SSD. It’s tuned for 720p gaming but still benefits from the same display and interface as the X model.

Speaking of interface, this is where both handhelds shine. Microsoft’s new full-screen Xbox experience for Windows removes all the legacy PC clutter.

Instead of booting into the Windows desktop, you go straight into a console-like dashboard that aggregates your entire gaming library across Game Pass, Xbox, Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, and more.

Navigation is done entirely with your controller, no touchscreen tapping required. Even logging in is handled via the gamepad. And yes, there’s a dedicated Xbox button that acts like a home key, bringing you back to the dashboard at any time, just like an Xbox console.

ROG Xbox Ally X and ROG Xbox Ally: Pricing and availability

Both devices will officially launch during the 2025 holiday season (as per the US calendar), with pricing and preorders set to go live in the coming months. While we haven’t seen performance metrics just yet, the early message is clear – Microsoft and Asus are prioritising usability, battery life, and gaming-first design.

ALSO READ: Is it worth buying an Asus ROG Ally in 2024?

Microsoft claims that, with this new full-screen Xbox experience, memory usage is lower, battery drain in idle mode is reduced by a third, and background distractions are minimal. Whether you’re gaming locally, using Xbox Cloud Gaming, or streaming from your Series X over Wi-Fi, the new Ally lineup is built to handle it all.

If the execution matches the ambition, this could be the moment Windows handheld gaming finally breaks through. Stay tuned to Unboxed by Croma to stay updated.