New information suggests that Microsoft’s first gaming handhelds officially marketed as Xbox, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, will go on sale shortly after Gamescom 2025. According to a reliable leak, the sales launch in Europe will take place in mid-October – with direct competition from established devices such as the Steam Deck OLED and the Lenovo Legion Go.
- Launch date according to the leak: October 16, 2025
- Pre-orders after Gamescom 2025
- Prices: 599 euros (Ally) / 899 euros (Ally X)
- Windows 11, Wi-Fi 6E and microSD support
Two models for different requirements
The ROG Xbox Ally is positioned as a direct competitor to the Steam Deck OLED. With a price of 599 euros, it is only just above Valve’s handheld, but relies on Windows 11 instead of SteamOS and therefore offers broader game compatibility. Under the hood is an AMD Ryzen Z2, supported by 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD. The 7-inch IPS panel has a resolution of Full HD (1,920 × 1,080 pixels) and offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz – a clear advantage over the 90 Hz OLED display of the Steam Deck when it comes to smooth display at a higher resolution.
The ROG Xbox Ally X is aimed at users who want maximum performance with a price of 899 euros. It uses the new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, combined with 24 GB of RAM, a 1 TB SSD and fast USB 4. At 80 Wh, the battery is also significantly larger than the 60 Wh model of the standard version, which enables longer gaming sessions without a power supply unit. Both versions are equipped with Wi-Fi 6E and a microSD card reader to flexibly expand the storage capacity.
Launch schedule and availability
Microsoft will officially announce the final information on price and launch date at its Gamescom press conference on August 20, 2025 at 15:00 German time. Visitors to the trade fair will be able to test the devices on site before pre-orders start shortly afterwards.
According to the leak from billbil-kun, delivery will begin on October 16, 2025. In contrast to some previous Xbox hardware launches, both handhelds will not only be available via the Microsoft Store, but also from regular retailers and large online retailers such as Amazon. Microsoft is thus clearly aiming for rapid market penetration in order to establish itself in the growing mobile gaming PC segment.
Conclusion
If the leaked information is confirmed, Microsoft will bring two exciting alternatives to handheld gaming with the ROG Xbox Ally and the ROG Xbox Ally X, which score points above all with their Windows integration and powerful hardware. The planned launch on October 16, 2025 and the broad availability could be decisive in competing against rivals such as the Steam Deck OLED or the Lenovo Legion Go. Official details will follow in a few weeks at Gamescom.
