Microsoft and Asus Xbox Ally Handhelds Launch October 16
▼ Summary
– Microsoft and Asus will release the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handhelds on October 16th in multiple markets, though pricing and preorders are not yet available.
– Leaked pricing suggests the Xbox Ally may cost around $699 and the Xbox Ally X around $1,049, with a reported delay possibly due to leaks or tariff uncertainties.
– The devices will launch in over 30 countries, with the white Xbox Ally targeting 720p gaming and the black Xbox Ally X designed for 1080p gaming and higher specs.
– Microsoft introduced a handheld compatibility program to identify games optimized for these devices, categorizing them as “Handheld Optimized” or “Mostly Compatible.”
– The Xbox Ally devices will feature an Xbox-focused interface, improved shader delivery for smoother performance, and future updates like Auto SR and enhanced docking.
The highly anticipated Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X handhelds from Microsoft and Asus will launch globally on October 16, marking a significant expansion of Xbox hardware into the portable gaming market. While pricing and preorder details remain under wraps for now, both models are set to release simultaneously across numerous international markets. Microsoft has also introduced a new handheld compatibility program designed to identify games optimized for these devices, ensuring a smoother out-of-the-box experience for users.
Speculation around pricing continues to swirl, with earlier leaks suggesting the standard Xbox Ally may debut around $699, while the more advanced Xbox Ally X could reach approximately $1,049. Recent reports from Dealabs, however, indicate potential U.S. prices of $549.99 for the Ally and $899.99 for the Ally X. The delay in official pricing announcements may be tied to ongoing tariff uncertainties or a strategic response to premature leaks. Whether Microsoft and Asus can further subsidize these devices for this critical launch remains to be seen.
Availability will span a wide range of territories including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, and many European and Asian countries. Select markets like China will only receive the Xbox Ally X at launch. Additional rollouts are planned for Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Thailand in the near future. The white ROG Xbox Ally is engineered for 720p gaming, while the more powerful black ROG Xbox Ally X targets 1080p gameplay. Both feature a 7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate and VRR support, matching the specs of existing ROG Ally models.
Under the hood, the Xbox Ally is equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM, and a 512GB M.2 2280 SSD. The Xbox Ally X steps up with an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory, and a 1TB SSD. These specifications position the devices as serious competitors in the handheld gaming space.
Microsoft’s new compatibility initiative aims to simplify the user experience by pre-testing and optimizing games for handheld use. Titles will be labeled as either “Handheld Optimized” or “Mostly Compatible,” with the former requiring little to no adjustment for ideal performance. Roanne Sones, CVP of gaming devices and ecosystem at Xbox, emphasized the company’s collaboration with studios to verify thousands of games ahead of launch.
A dedicated Xbox full-screen interface will serve as the default environment, though users can still access the full Windows desktop via the Xbox Game Bar. Microsoft is also enhancing shader performance through a new “advanced shader delivery” system that preloads shaders during game downloads, reducing stutter and improving launch times. This is especially valuable on a handheld device where battery life and smooth performance are critical.
Looking further ahead, the Xbox Ally X will support Automatic Super Resolution (Auto SR) via its NPU starting in early 2026, enabling AI-powered upscaling for better visual quality. The same NPU will also power an AI-driven highlight reel feature that automatically captures and shares gameplay moments. Improvements to the docking experience are also in development, promising a more seamless transition to big-screen gaming with optimized display output and intuitive controller pairing.
(Source: The Verge)
