After a series of leaks, Microsoft has finally announced the release date for its Xbox-branded ROG Ally handheld device. ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will launch on October 16, the company confirmed on the opening day of Gamescom 2025 on Wednesday. However, the Xbox parent company has yet to commit to pricing for the devices. Microsoft also announced a new handheld compatibility program that marks compatible games based on their level of optimization on Xbox-branded handheld devices, much like the “Deck Verified” label on Valve’s Steam Deck.
ROG Xbox Ally, ROG Xbox Ally X availability
As leaked earlier this month, ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will launch on October 16 in select countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czech Republic, China (Xbox Ally X only), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, UAE, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam. The base model Xbox Allly will be launched in China in early 2026.
As previously confirmed, Microsoft says that the new Xbox Ally handheld device will be released at an unspecified date in other markets where the ROG Ally series is currently sold, including Brazil, India, Indonesia, and Thailand.
ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X launching on October 16
Image source: Microsoft
‘Macroeconomic impact’ on pricing
There is no word on the pricing of the handheld devices, although there were recent reports that the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X will be priced at €599 (roughly Rs. 60,400) and €899 (roughly Rs. 90,700) respectively in the European market. Microsoft and Xbox Ally maker Asus told IGN at Gamescom that they need “more time to figure out the macroeconomic impact on pricing.”
Microsoft reportedly said that finding the right balance between affordability and price point is a challenge — “especially with the form factors of mobile devices and adding dimensions like battery life.” That’s according to Jason Ronald, Microsoft’s vice president of Xbox gaming devices and ecosystems. Asus told IGN that the two companies will share more information later “in September and October.”
Handheld Device Compatibility Program
However, the two companies did launch a handheld compatibility program for the Xbox-branded ROG Ally handheld device. Similar to Valve’s “Deck Verified” rating for supported games on the Steam Deck, Xbox will work with developers to test, optimize and validate games for ROG Xbox Ally compatibility, allowing players to “get into the game without adjusting settings or with only minor tweaks.”
Games on both handhelds will come with two compatibility labels – “handheld optimized” or “mostly compatible.” Xbox describes the two badges as follows:
Handheld optimization: This shows that the game is ready, with default controller input, intuitive text entry methods, accurate icons, clear text legibility, and proper resolution in full-screen mode, so you can spend less time tweaking settings and more time beating the next big boss.
Mainly compatible with: This suggests that the game may require minor changes to in-game settings for the best experience on handheld devices.
Additionally, games on the handheld device will have a “Windows Performance Fit” indicator to give an idea of ​​expected performance. Therefore, a “Handheld Optimized” compatibility rating, coupled with a “Should play fine” or “Should play fine” Windows Performance Fit badge, means the game will run without any issues on an Xbox Ally handheld device.
ROG Xbox Ally X runs on AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chipset
Image source: Microsoft
Upcoming AI features
Finally, Microsoft also revealed some of the artificial intelligence capabilities of the high-end ROG Xbox Ally X, powered by its AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chipset. The company detailed two artificial intelligence features that will be available on the device in early 2026, with more to follow.
These include Auto Super-Resolution (Auto SR), an upscaling technology that leverages the NPU to deliver higher resolutions and smoother frame rates; and Highlight Reel, an AI-driven game capture feature that generates short clips of highlight moments in games.
Microsoft and Asus are also promising more tech features and a range of compatible accessories, including the newly released ROG Raikiri II Xbox Wireless Controller. More enhancements to the docking experience for big-screen gaming on Xbox-branded ROG Ally handheld devices are also coming soon, the companies said.
