ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X set to debut at Gamescom 2025 with October 16 launch
ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced two new handheld gaming devices developed in collaboration with Xbox: the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X. Both handhelds will be on shelves starting October 16, 2025, and will be showcased for the first time on the Gamescom 2025 show floor, where visitors can try them at the ROG booth. To heighten the fan experience, Grand Theft Auto V actors Ned Luke and Shawn Fonteno will be on-site for meet-and-greet sessions.
Availability and markets
On October 16, 2025, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will launch in multiple markets, including Canada, Australia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, China (Ally X only), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Vietnam. Availability will follow in additional markets where the ROG Ally family is sold today, such as Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Thailand. In China, only the Ally X will be launching at this time.
Device specs and power
– ROG Xbox Ally: Powered by an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor with four Zen 2 cores and eight threads, plus eight AMD RDNA 2 GPU cores. It comes with 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM, a 512GB M.2 SSD, and a 60Wh battery.
– ROG Xbox Ally X: Built for higher performance with an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, featuring an eight-core/16-thread Zen 5 APU and 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, plus an integrated NPU. It upgrades to 24GB of LPDDR5X-8000 RAM, a 1TB M.2 SSD, and an 80Wh battery.
Both devices are co-developed by ROG and Xbox to broaden the library of games that can be played on handheld form factors, offering a portable Xbox-powered experience with robust on-device hardware.
What this means for handheld gaming
– Stronger on-the-go performance: The Ally X’s Zen 5-based CPU and larger memory and storage options promise smoother multitasking and faster game loading compared with earlier handhelds.
– Wider game accessibility: The collaboration aims to increase compatibility and access to a broader range of titles for handheld play, expanding opportunities for gaming away from the console or PC.
– Global rollout and presence at Gamescom: The October launch window and live demos at Gamescom 2025 underscore a strategic push to capture early adopter interest and showcase next-gen portable gaming to a global audience, including high-profile fan events with noted GTA V actors.
Summary
ROG’s new Xbox-powered handhelds, the Ally and Ally X, signal a significant step forward for portable gaming, combining AMD-powered performance with Xbox collaboration to expand what’s possible in handheld play. The October 16, 2025 launch in multiple markets, plus hands-on opportunities at Gamescom and notable fan appearances, position these devices as strong contenders in the evolving handheld gaming landscape.
Editor’s note
– The gap between RAM, storage, battery capacity, and CPU/GPU architecture suggests a clear tiering between the two models, likely targeting different segments of handheld users (portable casual play vs. more demanding titles).
– Market deployment, especially the China note for Ally X, indicates strategic regional considerations that could influence overall availability and pricing as we move into 2026.
– As always with new hardware, real-world performance, game compatibility, and software features will be key to assessing long-term value for gamers. A hands-on review after launch will help readers understand how these handhelds perform in practice.