ASUS ROG Xbox Ally

The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is the closest thing to an Xbox portable you can buy today. Made by ASUS with Xbox, it is a Windows 11 handheld gaming PC that boots into the Xbox full screen experience, so it feels like a console while still running PC stores such as Steam, Epic and Battle.net. There are three models: the ROG Xbox Ally, the more powerful ROG Xbox Ally X, and the new ROG Xbox Ally X20 with an OLED screen. This hub explains each model, how they compare with the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and the older ROG Ally X, and what happened to Microsoft’s own Xbox handheld console.

ROG Xbox Ally models compared

What is the Xbox full screen experience?

The Xbox full screen experience is a console-style interface that runs on top of Windows 11. When you turn on an ROG Xbox Ally, it boots straight into a controller-friendly Xbox home screen instead of the Windows desktop. It loads fewer background processes, which frees up memory and improves battery life, and it gathers games from the Xbox app, Steam, Epic and other launchers into one library. You can still switch to the full Windows desktop when you need it. Microsoft has since brought the full screen experience to other Windows handhelds, and it is expected to influence the software on the next-generation Project Helix console.

ROG Xbox Ally X20: the OLED model

The Xbox Ally X20 launched on October 15, 2026 for $1,299.99. It keeps the Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip from the Ally X but upgrades to a 7.4-inch OLED display at 120Hz, which gives deeper blacks, punchier HDR and better contrast. Performance in games is similar to the Ally X, so the X20 is mainly for players who want the best screen and are willing to pay for it. If you already own an Ally X, the upgrade is a luxury rather than a necessity.

ROG Ally X vs Xbox Ally X

The original ROG Ally X from 2024 uses the older Ryzen Z1 Extreme, while the Xbox Ally X uses the newer Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme. The Xbox Ally X adds Xbox-style grips inspired by the Xbox controller, impulse triggers, a dedicated Xbox button and the full screen experience out of the box. In games, the Xbox Ally X runs a little faster and more efficiently, and its ergonomics are better for long sessions. The older Ally X is still a good buy if you find it discounted, since it can also install the Xbox app and Steam.

Legion Go 2 vs Xbox Ally X

Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 uses the same Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, so raw performance is similar. The differences are design and screen. The Legion Go 2 has a larger 8.8-inch OLED display and detachable controllers that can be used like a Nintendo Switch, but it is heavier and bulkier. The Xbox Ally X is smaller, lighter and more comfortable to hold, with a 7-inch screen and the Xbox experience built in. Choose the Legion Go 2 for the biggest screen and kickstand play on a table; choose the Xbox Ally X for comfort and the Xbox interface. The Xbox Ally X20 narrows the gap by adding OLED.

Was the Xbox handheld cancelled?

Searches for “Xbox handheld cancelled” come from 2025 reports that Microsoft had paused work on its own first-party Xbox handheld to focus on the ROG Xbox Ally partnership and next-generation hardware. Microsoft never formally announced a first-party handheld, so nothing was officially cancelled. In October 2026, Fortune reported that a handheld device is planned as part of the Project Helix family, possibly by holiday 2027. Until Microsoft confirms it, the ROG Xbox Ally range is the official Xbox handheld console experience.

What can you play on the ROG Xbox Ally?

• PC Game Pass and Game Pass Ultimate games through the Xbox app.
• Steam, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, EA app and GOG libraries.
• Xbox Cloud Gaming, which streams console games including titles not on PC.
• Xbox Remote Play from your own Xbox console.

It cannot run Xbox console discs or console-only games natively, because it is a PC. See how to play Xbox games on PC and remote play.

Battery life and performance tips

Battery life depends heavily on the game and power mode. Demanding games may last around two hours on the Ally X, while lighter games and cloud streaming can last much longer. Use the 13 to 17 watt modes for most games, cap frame rates at 40 or 60fps, lower resolution slightly and let upscaling such as FSR fill in the detail. Keep Windows, drivers and the Armoury Crate software updated, as updates have improved performance noticeably since launch.

Which Xbox portable should you buy?

• Best value: ROG Xbox Ally, for lighter games, cloud play and indies.
• Best performance per dollar: ROG Xbox Ally X.
• Best screen: ROG Xbox Ally X20.
• Biggest screen and detachable controllers: Lenovo Legion Go 2.

For a broader comparison with Valve’s handheld, read Windows handhelds vs Steam Deck and ROG Xbox Ally vs Ally X.

Setting up your ROG Xbox Ally

On first boot, connect to Wi-Fi, sign in with your Microsoft account and let Windows and the Armoury Crate software install their updates; this can take a while but fixes many early issues. The setup then offers to install the Xbox app and other launchers. Sign in to Steam, Epic or Battle.net from the full screen experience so all your games appear in one library. If you have Game Pass, install a few games you already know, check how they run in each power mode, and set a default frame-rate cap. Turn on cloud saves in each launcher so you can switch between the handheld and your PC or console without losing progress.

Storage upgrades and accessories

All three models use an M.2 2280 SSD slot, so you can replace the internal drive with a larger one, and the microSD card slot is handy for smaller games and media. A protective case, a screen protector and a 65-watt USB-C charger are the most useful extras. To play on a TV, use a USB-C dock with HDMI output and connect an Xbox controller over Bluetooth. Accessories that work with the original ROG Ally generally work with the Xbox Ally models too, but check grip-specific cases, since the Xbox Ally shells are shaped differently.

Is an Xbox portable worth it?

If you already pay for Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, or have a large Steam library, an ROG Xbox Ally lets you take that library anywhere, which is a big step up from cloud-only handhelds. The trade-offs are price, battery life in demanding games and the occasional Windows quirk. For players who mainly want console games on the go and already own a PS5, the PlayStation Portal is a cheaper streaming-only alternative; for Xbox console owners, Remote Play on a phone is free. The ROG Xbox Ally is best for people who want a real portable gaming PC with an Xbox feel.