Microsoft and Asus Unveil Pricing for New Xbox Handhelds

Microsoft and Asus have officially unveiled the pricing details for their highly anticipated collaborative venture, the ROG Xbox Ally series of handheld gaming consoles. The standard ROG Xbox Ally is set to retail at $599.99, while its more advanced counterpart, the Xbox Ally X, will carry a premium price tag of $999.99. These Windows-based handheld devices, designed with Xbox branding, are slated for release on October 16th, with pre-orders now accessible through Xbox.com, the Asus e-shop, and select local retailers across 38 countries.

The announced prices have surpassed initial expectations, which had previously projected the consoles at slightly lower figures of $549.99 and $899.99. At its current price point, the entry-level Xbox Ally is positioned slightly above the mid-range Steam Deck OLED model. Both devices share similar specifications, including 512 GB of storage and 16 GB of RAM, offering comparable performance. While the Steam Deck boasts an OLED display, the Xbox Ally distinguishes itself with a faster, higher-resolution IPS panel. The Xbox Ally X justifies its substantial price with top-tier specifications: 1 TB of storage, 24 GB of RAM, and an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor. This places it at the forefront of handheld gaming technology, though it faces competition from more affordable alternatives like Asus's own ROG Ally X ($799) and Lenovo's SteamOS-powered Legion Go S ($829), both of which utilize an earlier generation processor.

Both Xbox Ally models face a significant challenge from the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, priced at $449, which includes a docking station. While the Nintendo Switch 2 offers comparable power to the base Xbox Ally and greater versatility with detachable controllers and an included TV dock, it cannot rival a PC handheld in terms of sheer utility and the extensive game library available. Microsoft and Asus are promoting the Xbox Ally as a device that delivers a seamless, full-screen Xbox experience, providing effortless access to Game Pass, alongside other prominent PC gaming platforms such as Steam and Battle.net. The success of their endeavor, particularly in bridging the usability gap between Windows handhelds and the more streamlined SteamOS, and whether the pricing is truly justified, will become evident upon its release in mid-October.