Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X Are Up for Preorder - Out October 16

The ROG Xbox Ally and the more-powerful ROG Xbox Ally X handheld gaming devices are present disposable for preorder. They’re acceptable to merchandise October 16, starting astatine $599.99 and $999.99 respectively. Read connected to find retired everything you request to cognize astir which 1 to pick, however overmuch they cost, wherever they’re available, and more.

Preorder the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X

What Even Are These Things?

There’s a batch to cognize astir these devices. First, let’s found what they’re not. These are not Xbox consoles successful handheld form. You cannot play each of your Xbox console games connected them.

They are handheld gaming PCs. That means you tin tally immoderate of your integer Xbox games connected them, peculiarly if you’re a Game Pass subscriber (for afloat details astir what games you tin play connected Xbox Ally, spot below).

Xbox Ally runs connected the Windows 11 Home operating system. But dissimilar erstwhile Windows-based handhelds, you tin enactment it successful a special, pared-down mentation of Windows, which frees up immoderate compute powerfulness to marque the games tally better.

Beyond the changes to Windows, different large selling constituent for the Xbox Ally devices is the ergonomics. They person grips that partially travel disconnected the surface section, truthful they consciousness much similar an Xbox controller (my idiosyncratic all-time favourite controller, for what that’s worth). They besides usage the Xbox look buttons and instrumentality placement. And there’s an Xbox fastener to the near of the display, which brings up the Xbox UI overlay portion you’re playing games.

What Games Can You Play connected ROG Xbox Ally?

Somewhat confusingly for devices with the connection “Xbox” connected the label, you can’t play your full Xbox crippled room connected these devices. However, here’s what you tin play:

• Digital games labeled “Xbox Play Anywhere”
• Game Pass games (subscription required)
• Xbox Cloud Gaming (subscription required)
• Games connected your Xbox Series X|S console via distant play
• Compatible PC games purchased from different storefronts (Steam, Epic Games Store, GOG, etc.)

So you tin apt play galore games, particularly if you’re a Game Pass member. But you can’t play immoderate disc-based games straight (though you tin watercourse them from your console utilizing distant play). And you can’t play immoderate integer games you ain that aren’t labeled “Xbox Play Anywhere.”

However, if you ain immoderate PC games from storefronts similar Steam, Epic, Itch.io, and more, you tin apt play galore of them connected here, since Xbox ROG Ally devices are truly Windows gaming PCs astatine heart.

What’s the Difference Between the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X?

On the surface, the main quality is that the Xbox Ally is white, portion the Xbox Ally X is black. Both devices stock the aforesaid display, a 7” FHD (1080p) IPS display, 16:9, susceptible of 500 nits, 120Hz refresh rate, with FreeSync, Gorilla Glass Victus, and DXC Anti-Reflection.

Underneath the ammunition is wherever the much important differences lie. Both devices tally connected AMD Ryzen Z2 chips, but the Ally X is importantly much powerful. It’s powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, portion the Ally runs connected the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor. The Ally X besides has much RAM, with 24GB, portion the Ally has 16GB. The Ally X comes with a 1TB SSD, which is treble the retention of the modular Ally. And the Ally X has an 80Wh artillery to tally each that almighty hardware, portion the modular Ally has a 60Wh battery.

You tin spot a afloat examination of the specs astatine Xbox. And for a real-world look astatine the much almighty model, spot our Xbox Ally X last preview for much information.

Chris Reed is simply a commerce exertion and deals adept for IGN. He besides runs IGN's committee crippled and LEGO coverage. You tin travel him connected Bluesky.