Digital Magazine – As Microsoft faces declining momentum in the console market, the tech giant is exploring new territory and this time, it’s taking the Xbox brand on the road. Amid slowing Xbox Series X and S sales and reports of retailers like Costco pulling the consoles from shelves, Microsoft’s partnership with ASUS on the ROG Xbox Ally X signals a potential pivot toward handheld gaming.
This new device, which blends ASUS’ PC gaming pedigree with Microsoft’s Xbox ecosystem, may not be the silver bullet to revive the brand’s hardware fortunes, but it offers a glimpse into what the future of Xbox could look like flexible, portable, and PC-powered.
A Portable Xbox Vision Realized
The ROG Xbox Ally X represents Microsoft’s first meaningful step into handheld gaming. Developed alongside ASUS, the device is built around Windows 11 but fine-tuned with a custom full-screen Xbox interface that makes it feel less like a PC and more like a next-generation Xbox-on-the-go.
From the familiar ABXY button layout to the impulse triggers and central Xbox button, the design speaks directly to console fans. Its 7-inch FHD 120Hz IPS display provides vivid visuals with a brightness that tops 500 nits more than enough for gaming indoors or on the move. The larger ergonomic grips also make it feel more like a traditional controller than most portable PCs.
The only trade-off? A bulkier build and haptics that fall short of what you’d get from Sony’s DualSense or Nintendo’s latest Joy-Con feedback.
Desktop Power in a Handheld Form
Performance-wise, the ROG Xbox Ally X runs on AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, paired with 24GB of shared memory and 1TB of expandable storage. That hardware, coupled with Microsoft’s optimizations, delivers impressive results across modern games.
In benchmarks, the device pushes over 60 fps in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p on medium settings outperforming rivals like Lenovo’s Legion Go 2. When unplugged, its 17-watt Performance Mode still delivers strong frame rates without drastically sacrificing battery life.
Speaking of which, the 80Wh battery is a significant improvement from its predecessor, lasting around 3.5 hours of continuous gameplay, roughly an hour longer than earlier models.
The Software Edge: A True Xbox Experience
Where ASUS and Microsoft truly stand out is software. The new full-screen Xbox interface removes much of the friction typically found in Windows-based handhelds. Players boot directly into the Xbox app, bypassing the cluttered desktop and jumping straight into their library, Game Pass, or cloud gaming sessions.
The experience is rounded out with intuitive gesture controls swipe up from the bottom to switch apps, from the left to open the Xbox Game Bar, or from the right for notifications. It’s an elegant solution that reimagines Windows as a console-style operating system.
Quick access tools, such as the Command Center, allow users to tweak performance modes or check Wi-Fi and controller settings on the fly. And with built-in compatibility tags for optimized titles, players know exactly how each game will perform before downloading.
A $1,000 Gamble — But a Smart One
At $999, the ROG Xbox Ally X isn’t cheap. It’s nearly double the price of a Steam Deck and more expensive than many gaming laptops. But Microsoft and ASUS aren’t chasing the budget crowd they’re targeting a niche of Xbox loyalists and high-end portable PC gamers who demand desktop-class performance in a handheld form.
For those already invested in the Xbox ecosystem Game Pass subscribers, friends lists, cloud saves the value proposition becomes clearer. Seamless integration with Game Pass and cross-platform features makes this device more than just another handheld PC. It’s an extension of the Xbox brand.
However, for gamers rooted in Steam or Linux-based systems, the appeal may be limited, especially when more affordable options like the Steam Deck OLED exist.
The Bigger Picture: Xbox’s Portable Future
The ROG Xbox Ally X might not be the product that singlehandedly revives Xbox’s hardware lineup, but it’s a strategic experiment that could shape what comes next. If it succeeds, Microsoft could lean further into portable form factors potentially even releasing a true Xbox-branded handheld in the future.
At a time when traditional consoles face stagnation and portable gaming is on the rise, the ROG Xbox Ally X signals Microsoft’s willingness to evolve. By bringing the Xbox experience to a device that fits in your backpack, the company isn’t just chasing the competition it’s redefining what the Xbox brand can be.
Bottom Line
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X may carry a premium price tag, but it delivers on performance, design, and innovation. More importantly, it showcases how Microsoft can reinvent the Xbox experience beyond the living room.
If the future of gaming is untethered, this handheld collaboration might just be the blueprint for the next era of Xbox.