Xbox handheld console finally revealed after a decade of speculation

After many years of rumors and speculation, Microsoft has officially revealed its new handheld gaming console called the Xbox ROG Ally. This device features a large 7-inch screen with controllers on each side, making it look quite similar to other popular handheld consoles like the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck. The Xbox ROG Ally is designed to allow gamers to play their favorite games anywhere, using their Game Pass subscription to access hundreds of titles on the go. This partnership with Asus, a company experienced in making handheld gaming devices since 2023, means the Xbox ROG Ally will be released by the end of 2025, although the price remains unknown.

For over a decade, there has been widespread speculation about Microsoft creating a handheld Xbox device. The company started and stopped several projects before finally announcing the Xbox ROG Ally. The new console shares similarities with the Nintendo Switch 2, which is a hybrid device that can be used both as a portable console and connected to a TV. The success of the Switch 2 likely inspired the creation of the Steam Deck, a handheld PC that allows gamers to play games they have purchased on Steam, although not all games are compatible. While Microsoft may seem late to enter this market, the Xbox ROG Ally’s native support for Game Pass, which has 34 million subscribers, could give it a strong advantage.

The Xbox ROG Ally will come in two versions: the base model and the ROG Xbox Ally X. Both versions have a 7-inch screen with 1080p resolution. The base model includes 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, while the more powerful X version offers 24GB of memory and double the storage capacity. The X version also features a larger battery and a more powerful processor, promising better performance and longer playtime. One of the key selling points is that the handhelds run on Windows, allowing players to access games from other platforms like Steam and EA Play, not just Xbox games. However, this power comes with a trade-off in weight, as the base and X versions weigh 670 grams and 715 grams respectively, which is heavier than the Nintendo Switch 2’s 534 grams. Microsoft has not yet announced the price, but the more advanced X version will likely be more expensive. For comparison, the Nintendo Switch 2 retails for about £395 in the UK, and the Steam Deck ranges from £349 to £569 depending on the model.