Xbox ROG Ally Preorders Go Live During Gamescom 2025!
Microsoft’s handheld gaming ambitions are moving forward quickly, with pre-orders for the Xbox ROG Ally and Ally X reportedly set to open on August 20, right as Gamescom 2025 starts in Cologne. If you are attending, you will be able to try out both models at the Xbox booth. That is according to a recently released report from Dealabs.
Pricing is expected to land at €599 (~£518) for the base model and €899 (~£777) for the upgraded Ally X. These prices match the ones that leaked earlier through ASUS, which we previously covered here.
Both handhelds are targeting an October 2025 release, but no exact date has been confirmed just yet.
Specs, Software, and Features
- Xbox ROG Ally: AMD Ryzen Z2 A, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
- ROG Ally X: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 24GB high-speed RAM
- Both run Windows 11, featuring a full-screen Xbox UI that pulls from your Xbox, Steam, GOG, Battle.net, and Epic libraries.
- 1,000+ Xbox Play Anywhere games will work natively, and cloud streaming will fill in the rest.
- Confirmed Gamescom demos include: Hollow Knight: Silksong, Roblox, Sea of Thieves, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3+4.
What Do Players Think?
As expected, the price point is cause for debate. At €899, the Ally X costs more than a PS5 Pro, and a lot of people feel it lands in a weird spot: not quite a premium console, not quite a compelling alternative to the Steam Deck.
There is also some branding confusion. Even though it has an “Xbox” name, this is still a Windows handheld, not a native Xbox console. You are running PC versions of games or streaming through services like Game Pass. A few buyers were surprised to learn that Xbox Series X titles are not supported natively.
Additional concerns players are raising:
- Windows 11 is still not ideal for handheld use, although Microsoft says improvements have been made.
- ASUS’s hardware support track record is not great, and some users are hesitant because of past warranty issues.
- Without exclusives or standout features, the price feels hard to justify, especially when the Steam Deck and Legion Go exist.
Nevertheless, for players who want Xbox-style controls, Game Pass support, and Windows flexibility in a portable form, the Ally lineup might scratch that itch. Just be ready to pay console-level prices for the experience.
For more updates, trending topics, and more, make sure to visit our main gaming news hub here!
