Microsoft unveils ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handheld gaming consoles to take on Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2

Xbox Ally X

Microsoft and Asus have jointly announced two new handheld gaming devices—ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X—both part of the Project Kennan initiative. The announcement marks a deeper integration between Xbox and Windows for handheld gaming PCs, including a full-screen Xbox user interface optimised for portable gaming.

Ally and Ally X specifications

The new ROG Xbox Ally lineup includes:

New Xbox experience on Windows, especially for consoles

The highlight of the collaboration is a new full-screen Xbox experience on Windows, tailored for handheld devices. This custom interface bypasses the traditional Windows desktop and boots directly into the Xbox PC app. Microsoft says it limits background Windows processes to save system resources and memory.

The interface supports game libraries from the Microsoft Store, Battle.net, and other major platforms, providing quick navigation with joystick controls.
Asus-Microsoft collaboration

Shawn Yen, VP of Consumer at Asus, acknowledged that navigating Windows with a handheld was previously “frustrating and confusing.” Over the past year,

Asus and Microsoft co-developed a unified vision for a console-like handheld experience. Both companies aim to combine the best of Xbox and Windows for portable gaming.The Xbox Ally X adds improvements like impulse triggers and an upgraded chip, but both models aim to bridge the gap between PC and console gaming on handhelds. No pricing or release dates have been confirmed yet.