Microsoft Still Can't Say How Much the ROG Xbox Ally X Will Cost Due to "Macro-Economic" Conditions, Despite Announcing Release Date and Availability Details

Microsoft has confirmed merchandise day and availability accusation for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, its upcoming gaming handhelds made by Asus, but notably held disconnected connected confirming however overmuch the devices volition cost.

Speaking to IGN contiguous astatine Gamescom, Microsoft and Asus said the companies inactive needed "more clip to fig retired the macro-economic interaction to pricing". The connection comes amid a backdrop of often shifting marketplace conditions, fuelled by ever-changing US tariffs.

The determination to corroborate the widely-expected October 16 ROG Xbox Ally X merchandise day but simultaneously clasp backmost connected sharing pricing details comes arsenic a large surprise, pursuing aggregate reports by the reliable retail tract Dealabs that appeared to pin down the dollar and euro terms points for some the ROG Xbox Ally X and its lower-powered twin, the ROG Xbox Ally.

Those reports correctly stated the handhelds' now-confirmed October 16 merchandise date, adding to their legitimacy, portion besides stating that pre-orders would unfastened today, August 20, erstwhile motorboat details were public. Obviously, with last pricing present near up successful the air, pre-orders person been near to spell unrecorded different day.

"This is ever a challenge," Jason Ronald, Microsoft's vice president of Xbox gaming devices & ecosystem, told me, replying to a question from IGN successful a roundtable interview, "and you ever effort to find the close equilibrium betwixt affordability and terms point, and I deliberation particularly successful a mobile signifier origin that besides adds successful dimensions specified arsenic artillery beingness successful arsenic well. And then, arsenic you said, the macro-economic clime is challenging."

"I deliberation we volition person to... we request much clip to fig the macro-economic interaction to pricing, and that's wherefore we'll beryllium sharing much later, successful September and October," Asus elder vice president Shawn Yen added, speaking to IGN.

The ROG Xbox Ally X successful enactment contiguous astatine Gamescom. Image credit: IGN

Dealabs antecedently stated that the ROG Xbox Ally X would outgo €899, portion the lower-powered ROG Xbox Ally would outgo €599. Today, a caller update from Dealabs stated that the handhelds' US prices would beryllium $899 and $549, respectively. Time volition archer if these prices extremity up shifting earlier Microsoft announces them itself.

Officially, Xbox has confirmed the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X volition get connected October 16 wrong Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, China (Xbox Ally X only), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.

Details connected availability wrong Brazil, India, Indonesia and Thailand volition travel astatine a aboriginal date, arsenic volition details of the Xbox Ally (rather than the Ally X)'s accomplishment successful China "early adjacent year."

As portion of the aforesaid interview, we besides asked Ronald astir Microsoft's interior plans to marque a first-party Xbox handheld, pursuing a study that suggested the thought had been sidelined.

Tom Phillips is IGN's News Editor. You tin scope Tom astatine [email protected] oregon find him connected Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social