Microsoft Reveals the ROG Xbox Ally Handheld Device
ASUS is one of the biggest PC manufacturers on the planet, best known for components such as video cards, monitors, motherboards and so much more, so it’s not surprising that Xbox has teamed up with the Taiwanese company for their next big hardware reveal. While this has been known for a little while now, previously known as Project Kennan, the device is finally approaching release.
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During the Xbox Game Showcase today, Xbox revealed one of their biggest announcements in a long while: the ROG Xbox Ally. While Xbox has been known for their consoles ever since the original was released nearly twenty-four years ago, this will be one of their first ventures into the handheld market, although it’s closer to a Steam Deck than something like the Nintendo Switch.
The new handheld device will come in two different models: ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X. The former is the baseline model that will come with a Ryzen Z2 A processor, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage, among other things. The latter will be the more premium model that has the upgraded Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24 GB of RAM and 1TB of NVME storage.
The main objective of the ROG Xbox Ally is flexibility, allowing gamers to be able to play their entire library of PC games wherever they go. Be it on the couch, in your bed or on the road, the Ally looks to bring PC gaming to a handheld format. Because it uses an optimized version of Windows 11, users will be able to load apps such as Discord or Twitch with little effort.
The main objective of the ROG Xbox Ally is flexibility, allowing gamers to be able to play their entire library of PC games wherever they go.
The ROG Xbox Ally will feature the obvious Microsoft Store, but Xbox has stated that there will be support for other storefronts, including Steam at launch. Considering Xbox’s dedication to multiplatform play and fewer exclusives, this is a huge step in the right direction in the immensely growing PC marketplace.
“Within the Xbox full screen experience, players will see their aggregated gaming library, giving them quick access to games from Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net, and other leading PC storefronts. With this new feature, your Xbox library, hundreds of Game Pass titles (membership required), and all your installed games from other PC game stores are always at your fingertips.”
The design of the handheld looks similar to an Xbox Controller, featuring the iconic ABXY buttons alongside everything you might expect. The difference, of course, is that there is a seven-inch IPS screen in the middle. The D-Pad is a little different, and customers will need to acquire the X model to get the Impulse Triggers, but otherwise it looks very familiar to what fans know and love.
|
ROG Xbox Ally |
ROG Xbox Ally X |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Operating System |
Windows 11 Home |
Windows 11 Home |
|
Input |
Contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers deliver all-day comfort. ABXY buttons / D-pad / L & R Hall Effect analog triggers / L & R bumpers / Xbox button / View button / Menu button / Command Center button / Library button / 2x assignable back buttons / 2x full-size analog sticks / HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU |
Contoured grips inspired by Xbox Wireless Controllers deliver all-day comfort, complete with impulse triggers for enhanced control. ABXY buttons / D-pad / L & R impulse triggers / L & R bumpers / Xbox button / View button / Menu button / Command Center button / Library button / 2x assignable back buttons / 2x full-size analog sticks / HD haptics / 6-Axis IMU |
|
Processor |
AMD Ryzen Z2 A |
AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
|
Memory |
16GB LPDDRX-6400 |
24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
|
Storage |
512GB M.2 2280 SSD |
1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
|
Display |
7″ FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz, FreeSync Premium, Corner Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection |
7″ FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz, FreeSync Premium, Corner Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection |
|
I/O Ports |
2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (SD, SDXC, SDHC Support) 1x 3.55m Combo Audio Jack |
1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt 4 Compatibility 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 Power Delivery 3.0 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (SD, SDXC, SDHC, UHS-I with DDR200 mode Support) 1x 3.55m Combo Audio Jack |
|
Networking |
Wi-Fi 6E (2×2) + Bluetooth 5.4 |
Wi-Fi 6E (2×2) + Bluetooth 5.4 |
|
Dimensions |
290.8×121.5×50.7mm / 670g |
290.8×121.50.7mm / 715g |
|
Battery |
60Wh |
80Wh |
|
Included |
Charger Stand |
Charger Stand |
Unfortunately, Xbox has yet to announce any sort of pricing, but both models will be available just in time for the holiday season. It will launch in most of the major locations, such as the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, but it will also come out in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
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