Xbox’s handheld gaming PC gets an October release date

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Microsoft’s Xbox is currently airing its initial Gamescom live stream, with a second one scheduled for tomorrow. They have announced the release date for their new Xbox-labeled portable gaming devices.

On October 16, 2025, as announced both in the Xbox Wire blog and along the stream, Microsoft will launch the ROG Xbox Allies, specifically the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X.

The latest portable gaming computers will operate using Windows, with some slight modifications tailored for handheld usage. The Xbox application on these devices will offer an enhanced full-screen experience, featuring unique settings to reduce background tasks when opened, essentially emulating the Steam Deck’s Big Picture gaming mode within a Windows environment.

The gadgets will enhance the functionality of the Game Bar overlay as well, featuring Asus’ ROG Armoury Crate SE for customizing the hardware settings of the device, similar to existing ROG Ally devices. Although some of these advancements might be applied to other computers, it’s unlikely that Armoury Crate will also be included – this is specifically designed for Asus devices.

Microsoft is introducing a new Handheld Compatibility Program, where games will receive badges based on their optimization for handheld gaming. There are two primary badges that can be awarded: “Handheld Optimized” and “Mostly Compatible,” similar to Steam Deck’s “Verified” and “Playable” badges.

According to unofficial sources, it appears that the ROG Xbox Ally could retail at $549.99 and the ROG Xbox Ally X might be priced at $899.99, as per a Best Buy listing.

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2025-08-20 17:47