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Here's where to buy the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X — Microsoft and Asus' new gaming handhelds hit store shelves
After months of launch hype, announcements, and promising reviews, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are finally available to buy.
In our own Asus ROG Xbox Ally X review, we loved its comfortable controller grips and balanced weight, as well as the new Xbox Full Screen Experience. Improved performance at 720p and the Xbox button are a bonus, but there are also some drawbacks. It's more expensive than the previous ROG Ally X, lacks some visual punch versus OLED-based competitors, and doesn't come with a carrying case. There are also some promised features that we have to reserve judgment on. But overall, it did well enough to score four out of five stars and earn a spot on our Best PC Gaming Handhelds list.
Now available to buy, here are all the places you can pick up the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X in the U.S.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally is the latest handheld console, made in collaboration with Microsoft. It features more modest hardware compared to the ROG Xbox Ally X, including the Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is the latest flagship handheld console, made in collaboration with Microsoft. It comes with AMD's newest Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor and a special Xbox-based UI optimized for handhelds.
What's the difference between the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X?
As you can see, there's a not-insignificant price gap between the two new Xbox Ally models, so what does $400 extra get you?
Both handhelds come with the Windows 11 Home operating system and the aforementioned Xbox Full Screen experience. They also have the same controls and the same display. The $599 Ally features a Z2 A Processor, whereas the Ally X features the more potent Z2 Extreme Processor, which will boost gaming performance. It also features a larger 1TB M.2 drive, as opposed to the 512GB size of the Ally.
There's more RAM — 24GB versus 16GB — and the Ally X comes with a USB4 port. For the extra beef, the Ally X is slightly heavier, but also has a larger battery. You can see the full breakdown below.
-2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0 -1x UHS-II microSD card reader -1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
-1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt 4 compatible -1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0
-1x UHS-II microSD card reader
-1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack
Wireless connectivity
Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4
Wi-Fi 6E (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 5.4
Battery
60Wh
80Wh
Operating system
Windows 11 Home
Windows 11 Home
Weight
670g
715g
As noted, both the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are now available to buy from all of the above retail sections. There's no telling how popular either will, or how much stock various retailers have, so if you want to get your hands on one, it's worth moving quickly.
Stephen is Tom's Hardware's News Editor with almost a decade of industry experience covering technology, having worked at TechRadar, iMore, and even Apple over the years. He has covered the world of consumer tech from nearly every angle, including supply chain rumors, patents, and litigation, and more. When he's not at work, he loves reading about history and playing video games.
That's why this handheld is doomed to fail. You have a decent gap between two handhelds at close to double the price. So you can go for the cheaper option because you don't feel like dropping $1K and get the $600 version only to have second thoughts if the device will be gimped like the XBOX Series S.
The Sony handheld is also doomed to fail, because so far Sony is batting a big fat 0%. They walked away from the Sony PSP and PS Vita. The Vita had a shelf life of about 2 years.
That's why if I want a handheld device I buy a Nintendo Switch or Switch 2 because I know that Nintendo will support their product for at least 7 years. The original Switch is still getting support after 8 years.
Apparently the $600 model is slightly (<10%) faster than the Steam Deck despite having the same SoC
But the Steam Deck LCD is $320 right now.
Steam Deck OLED 512GB is $550, so maybe just get that?
Or wait until there is a massive sale.
