ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X preorders are now available

In June, Microsoft revealed a significant collaboration with ASUS to produce two ROG Ally handheld gaming devices under the Xbox brand. With their release date set for October drawing closer, Microsoft has now disclosed the official pricing for these products.

The latest update indicates that the high-performance ROG Xbox Ally X, equipped with the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, will be available for $999.99 / £799 / €899. On the other hand, the ROG Xbox Ally, aimed at more casual gamers, has a price of $599.99 / £499.99 / €599.99 and features the AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor.

Pre-orders for both gaming handhelds have officially commenced in 38 countries, expanding to new regions such as Egypt, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Slovenia, South Africa, Thailand, and Ukraine.

You can find pre-orders for the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X on the Microsoft Store, ASUS eshop, and through local marketplaces in the supported regions. Microsoft is also looking to broaden the availability of the hardware to additional parts of the globe. For those who wish to offer extra protection to their new ROG Xbox Ally, ASUS is making a carrying case available for purchase, featuring a water-repellent exterior and a detachable pouch for a 65W charger.

Drawing upon insights from its Xbox consoles, Microsoft is enhancing the full-screen experience on these Windows 11 handhelds, stating that these optimizations "minimize background activity and defer non-essential tasks," allowing the hardware to allocate more resources to gaming. Remember that recent updates to the Xbox app have transformed it into a universal launcher for games and applications installed on the operating system, eliminating the necessity to use the desktop when choosing games to play.

Conversely, if you’re in search of a handheld that is already well-established, fine-tuned for maximum performance, and designed for serious gaming on the go, the ROG Ally X stands out as an excellent choice. With extended battery life, enhanced ergonomics, and full Windows functionality, it symbolizes the perfect evolution for future handheld gaming. As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.