Xbox Ally Unveiled: Asus ROG Collaboration Challenges Steam Deck at SGF 2025

Microsoft debuted the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X at the Xbox Games Showcase during Summer Game Fest 2025. Discover the details of this exciting reveal below.

Xbox Ally Launched in Partnership with Asus ROG at SGF 2025

Slated for Release Later This Year

At the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, Microsoft unveiled two innovative Xbox-branded handheld devices, developed in collaboration with Asus. Named the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, these portables merge Xbox and Windows features into a seamless console-like experience. Notably, one device was showcased running the highly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong, confirming its existence and playability.

Codenamed Project Kennan, this Microsoft-Asus collaboration focuses on delivering a streamlined handheld gaming interface. Both devices boot directly into a full-screen Xbox interface, prioritizing your game library with access to titles from Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, and more.

The white Xbox Ally targets 720p gaming, powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z2 A chip, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 512GB SSD.

In contrast, the black Xbox Ally X aims higher, supporting 900p to 1080p resolutions. It features AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip with a 50 TOPs NPU, 24GB of enhanced RAM, and a 1TB SSD, all displayed on a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz screen.

Microsoft’s Shawn Yen highlighted efficiency as the core focus, with the Ally X boasting an 80Wh battery—one of the largest in handheld gaming. The base Ally includes a 60Wh battery, a 50% increase over the original ROG Ally. Paired with a lightweight Windows 11 version that reduces background processes, these devices aim for extended battery life and smoother gameplay.

The demo’s standout moment was Silksong, which drew widespread excitement online. With superior hardware, a console-inspired interface, and the allure of Silksong, the Xbox Ally series sets a high bar for handheld PC gaming competitors like the Steam Deck.