If Shakespeare were a gamer, he’d probably open with:
“Two houses, both alike in power — House of ROG and House of Xbox.”
That was exactly how Republic of Gamers (ROG) kicked off its latest event. An epic crossover between two titans of gaming. The result is the ROG Xbox Ally Series, the world’s first official Xbox handheld console.
This is where console soul meets PC muscle: ROG’s engineering expertise fused with Xbox’s unmistakable gaming experience. The result? Handheld gaming that doesn’t feel handheld anymore.
Built with gamers, not just for them
“This isn’t just a product we built for gamers. It’s a product built with gamers,” said Kate de Vera, Product Marketing Lead for Gaming of ASUS Philippines, during the launch. Every round of community feedback shaped the Ally, from button placement to software integration.
Two models headline the series:
#1– ROG Xbox Ally
Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, an ultra-efficient APU built on AMD’s latest Zen 4 architecture. It balances performance and battery life beautifully, running even at lower wattages for longer sessions. Paired with a 60 Wh battery, it delivers smooth gameplay all day without throttling.
#2 — ROG Xbox Ally X
Equipped with the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, an 8-core, 16-thread beast with RDNA 2.5 graphics and a built-in NPU to power future AI-driven gaming features like Auto Super Resolution and Highlight Reels. This is ROG’s top-tier handheld chip, designed for demanding AAA titles at high frame rates and rich visual fidelity.
Both variants leverage AMD’s FidelityFX, Radeon Super Resolution, and Fluid Motion Frames to push higher FPS and crisper detail, even on intense titles.
Xbox soul, Windows freedom
The Ally runs full Windows 11, giving gamers access to their entire ecosystem, not just Xbox Game Pass, but also Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net, and other PC launchers.
When powered on, users are greeted with a full-screen Xbox interface designed for handheld navigation. The Xbox Game Bar integrates seamlessly with joysticks and buttons, letting players tweak performance or check notifications without alt-tabbing.
Each unit comes bundled with a PC Game Pass subscription, granting instant access to hundreds of titles — including day-one releases. You can even use Xbox Remote Play to stream games directly from your home console.
So yes, it’s a console. And a PC. At the same time.
Built for comfort and longevity
ROG redesigned the Ally’s chassis from the ground up for better ergonomics. It features textured grips, a more balanced internal layout, and Impulse Triggers inspired by the Xbox controller for more tactile feedback.
The 7-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS display boasts a 120 Hz refresh rate, 500 nits of brightness, and AMD FreeSync Premium with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and DXC anti-reflection coating, offering crisp, console-quality visuals in portable form.
Keeping things cool is ROG Intelligent Cooling, which uses dual fans and a specialized heat path that directs warmth away from your palms. Even during long sessions, the grips stay comfortable.
The Ally X goes further with a larger 80 Wh battery (nearly double that of its predecessor) ensuring you can game for hours before needing a charge.
Ports, power, and flexibility
Connectivity is a major win here.
- ROG Xbox Ally X: one USB4 (DP 2.1 / PD 3.0) port, one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DP 2.1 / PD 3.0) port, a UHS-II microSD slot (DDR200 mode), and a 3.5 mm combo jack.
- ROG Xbox Ally: two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (DP 1.4 / PD 3.0) ports, a UHS-II microSD slot, and a 3.5 mm combo jack.
Both models support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.4, allowing wired or wireless peripherals, from controllers to external displays.
For docks, ROG recommends any 130 W USB-C hub with DisplayPort or HDMI output, so you can transform the Ally into a desktop-class gaming setup.
And yes, storage upgrades are supported. The SSD slot uses a 2280 M.2 PCIe form factor, allowing gamers to swap in larger drives easily.
Pricing and availability
According to Jason Tseng, Country Product Manager for Gaming of ASUS Philippines, both models will be available at ASUS and ROG Concept Stores nationwide starting October 16:
▪️ROG Xbox Ally X – ₱56,995
▪️ROG Xbox Ally – ₱36,995
Pre-orders run from October 7 to 16, with the first 100 buyers receiving a free ROG Xbox Ally 2-in-1 Premium Case worth ₱2,995. Both units include a two-year international warranty and a PC Game Pass subscription.
The new hard-shell case is water-resistant, lined for protection, and features a detachable pouch for the 65 W charger, making it perfect for gaming on the go.
A new era for handhelds
With console-level power, AI-ready architecture, and the flexibility of Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally Series redefines what handheld gaming can be.
It’s the kind of device that makes you forget which house you belong to — PC Master Race or Console Clan because now, you can literally carry both in your hands.
