ASUS confirms the ROG Xbox Ally X20 will launch without the AR bundle

When ASUS unveiled the ROG Xbox Ally X20 at Computex 2026, the company revealed that its new OLED handheld would only be sold as a bundle with the ROG Xreal R1 AR glasses. Thankfully for anyone who wasn't interested in the glasses, those plans have now changed.

According to The Verge, ASUS is preparing to release the ROG Xbox Ally X20 as a standalone handheld, allowing buyers to purchase it without the bundled wearable display. An ASUS spokesperson confirmed the change, telling The Verge: "We are actively discussing the release schedule for a standalone version of the new Ally. Please stay tuned for upcoming announcements."

The news comes after The Verge's Sean Hollister spent several hours testing the handheld at ASUS' California offices, where he came away impressed by its improvements over the original Xbox Ally X. Hollister noted that the OLED Ally has the potential to compete with the recently launched MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, thanks to a number of thoughtful hardware refinements.

Alongside the new OLED display, he praised the redesigned ergonomics, quieter face buttons, updated cooling system, and especially the new transforming D-pad, which can switch between four-way and eight-way operation by lifting and rotating it. According to Hollister, the feature made a noticeable difference in games such as Hollow Knight: Silksong.

Under the hood, the handheld is powered by AMD's Ryzen Z2 Extreme, paired with 24GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage, an 80Wh battery, microSD Express expansion, and TMR thumbsticks for improved durability and precision, all within a translucent chassis and subtle gold accents that help distinguish it from the LCD model. ASUS has also redesigned the ABXY buttons to more closely resemble those found on Xbox wireless controllers.

The original bundle pairing the handheld with the ROG Xreal R1 Gaming Glasses remains scheduled for release during the 2026 holiday season, and there's a good chance the standalone version will launch around the same time.

ASUS has yet to reveal pricing for the standalone model, though The Verge suggests it will likely cost more than the current $999 / €999 / £899 ROG Xbox Ally X. As for the complete bundle with the ROG Xreal R1 Gaming Glasses, estimates place it at around $2,000, although ASUS has not officially confirmed either the price or launch date.

As always, for the latest news on gaming handhelds, ASUS ROG hardware, Windows gaming devices, and developments across the PC gaming industry, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.