The ROG Xbox Ally is similar to the original ROG Ally in many ways, but it also has some key differences, like more pronounced grips and a dedicated Xbox button. It has a 7-inch display that supports VRR, up to 1080p, and a 120Hz refresh rate, to help your games look their very best. It runs Windows 11, has 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and an AMD Z2 A APU. The battery is 20% larger and it offers two USB-C ports.
Pros
- Better grips
- Features Xbox interface that can reduce Windows apps
- Larger battery capacity
- M.2 2280 SSD for easier upgrading
- 7-inch touchscreen supports up to 120Hz and VRR
- Offers two USB-C ports
Cons
- Hasn't launched yet
- Not as powerful as ROG Ally or Xbox Ally X, but less expensive
The original ASUS ROG Ally is a couple of years old at this point, but it is still a great gaming device. It runs Windows 11, is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, offers 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. You can add more storage to it using the microSD card reader or by upgrading the M.2 2280 SSD. Like many older handhelds, it only has one USB-C port, and the battery doesn't last super long.
Pros
- Better performance
- 7-inch touchscreen supports 120Hz and VRR
- Customizable gaming experience with Armoury Crate
Cons
- Only has one USB-C port
- Shorter battery life
- Uses less common M.2 2230 SSD
- Less ergonomic grips
By the way, it's worth noting that there is also a more powerful Xbox Ally X that is comparable to the ASUS ROG Ally X. If you want to learn more about those devices, check out my Xbox Ally X vs ROG Ally X comparison.
UPDATE Oct 16, 2025: I've overhauled this entire article with information I gathered by reviewing the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X.
Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: Specs
I'll dive in and discuss the similarities and differences between the Xbox ROG Ally and the original ASUS ROG Ally, but first, take a look at the known specs of these devices.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | Xbox Ally | ROG Ally |
|---|---|---|
Price | $599.99 |
|
Release date | Oct 16, 2025 | Jun. 13, 2023 |
OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 A | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | AMD Ryzen Z1 |
Storage | 512GB M.2 2280 SSD | 512GB PCle 4.0 M.2 2230 NVMe SSD |
Memory | 16GB LPDDR5X-6400 | 16GB LPDDR5 on board (6400MT/s dual channel) |
Display | 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS touchscreen, 120Hz, 500 nits | 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS-level touchscreen, 120Hz, 500nits |
VRR | Yes | Yes |
Ports | 2x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack | 1x USB-C port, 1x PCIe port, 1x UHS-II microSD card slot, 1x headphone jack |
Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.4 | Wi-Fi 6E + Bluetooth 5.3 |
Dimensions | 11.44 x 4.78 x 1.98 (290.8 x 121.5 x 50.4mm) | 11.0 x 4.4 x 0.5 in (279 x 111.8 x 12.7mm) |
Weight | 1.4 lbs (670g) | 1.3 lbs (590g) |
Battery life | 60Whr | 40Whr (Up to four hours) |
Now that you've seen the known specs, continue reading to get a better understanding of what these components and features mean for you as a potential handheld owner.
Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: Price
PRICE WINNER: The Xbox Ally technically has a lower starting price than the ROG Ally, now that the starting ROG Ally model is no longer selling in stores.
The Xbox Ally with its Ryzen Z2 A processor sells for $599.99 at major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.
- Best ROG Ally battery packs
- Best ROG Ally microSD cards
- Best ROG Ally optimized games
- Baldur's Gate 3 on Steam Deck?
- Games to play on Steam Deck
- Play FIFA 23 on Steam Deck
Previously, the ASUS ROG Ally came in two configurations: A Z1 Extreme version that sold for $699 and then later a Z1 (non-Extreme) version with a $599.99 MSRP.
However, the Z1 (non-Extreme) devices have largely sold out of stock at several retailers and aren't as widely available as they once were, so you're likely only going to be able to buy the $699.99 Z1 Extreme configuration unless you buy used.
When I last checked, the ROG Ally Z1 Extreme was selling for $649.99 at Best Buy.
This device has also frequently gone on sale during big deal events like Amazon Prime Day, Black Friday, and more. So, you might be able to grab it or the Xbox Ally at a great discount if you buy during a sale.
Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: Performance and storage
PERFORMANCE WINNER: The original ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) offers better performance than the new Xbox Ally (Z2 A) in every way.
Despite having one of the next-gen AMD Z2 Ryzen APUs, the Xbox Ally is actually designed to offer performance that's more on the level of the Steam Deck, which is less powerful than the ROG Ally classic.
Processor | CPU Cores & Threads | GPU Cores | TDP |
AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (Xbox Ally X) | 8 cores, 16 threads w/ XDNA2 NPU (Zen 5) | 16 CU (RDNA3.5) | 15-35W |
Ryzen Z1 Extreme (ROG Ally, ROG Ally X) | 8 cores, 16 threads (Zen 4) | 12 CU (RDNA3) | 15-30W |
AMD Ryzen Z1 (ROG Ally) | 6 cores, 12 threads (Zen 4) | 4 CU (RDNA3) | 6-15W |
AMD Ryzen Z2 A (Xbox Ally) | 4 cores, 8 threads (Zen 2) | 8 CU (RDNA2) | 6-20W |
Custom AMD APU (Steam Deck LCD) | 4 cores, 8 threads (Zen 2) | 8 CU (RDNA2) | 4-15W |
Custom AMD APU (Steam Deck OLED) | 4 cores, 8 threads (Zen 2) | 8 CU (RDNA2) | 4-15W |
As an explainer, the Ryzen Z2 A in the Xbox Ally uses Zen 2 architecture, with a CPU that has four cores and 8 threads, and 8 GPU cores, similar to the Steam Deck AMD APU.
RELATED: Xbox Ally vs Steam Deck comparison
Meanwhile, the ROG Ally's Z1 Extreme uses Zen 4 architecture, has a CPU with six cores and 12 threads, but only has 4 GPU cores.
In my Xbox Ally testing, I discovered that the Xbox Ally got far lower scores than the ROG Ally in every benchmark I ran it through. So if you want something that can handle more of the latest games, you're better off with the ROG Ally or the Xbox Ally X.
The Ryzen Z2 A in the Xbox Ally is more comparable to the Steam Deck's AMD APU than the ROG Ally's Z1 Extreme.
In my ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) review, I was impressed by how smoothly many PC games ran on this device, but it still cannot handle some more graphically intensive games that haven't been optimized for handhelds.
Both the Xbox ROG Ally and the ASUS ROG Ally offer 512GB SSD with 16GB RAM, so there don't seem to be any memory or storage differences that could affect performance at this point.
However, the new Xbox Ally does have a more common M.2 2280 SSD slot compared to the Ally's M.2 2230 SSD slot, so the new device's storage should be easier to upgrade.
That said, I have installed a larger capacity SSD into my ROG Ally's M.2 2230 slot. There are a few 2230 SSDs to choose from that will serve your needs really well, if you want to go through this process.
Additionally, both handhelds offer microSD card slots in case you want to add additional storage without opening the device.
Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: Display
DISPLAY WINNER: We have a tie. Both the ROG Ally and the newer Xbox ROG Ally seem to utilize similar, if not the same, 7-inch IPS touchscreens.
Both the Ally and the Xbox Ally have a 7-inch IPS touchscreen that reaches up to FHD resolution, offers up to a 120Hz refresh rate, and supports VRR (variable refresh rate) for smoother gaming.
I know from my own ROG Ally experiences and testing that this handheld's screen doesn't have the very best color gamut, but it does display game visuals with respectable color and crisp detail. As such, I'm expecting the same from the Xbox ROG Ally.
RELATED: IPS LCD vs OLED vs tandem OLED vs QD-OLED vs QLED vs AMOLED vs Mini LED: Which is the best display?
It's a little disappointing that the Xbox Ally screen isn't an OLED, but keeping it as an IPS display does keep the cost of the device down.
Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: Buttons, joysticks, and grip
CONTROLS AND GRIPS WINNER: The Xbox Ally has the same overall button layout, but also has far more pronounced built-in grips, which makes the device more comfortable to hold than the original ROG Ally.
It was already easy to compare the original ROG Ally layout to the Xbox controller, due to its large ABXY buttons, offset joysticks, bumpers, triggers, menu, and view button.
Now, the new Xbox Ally has a very similar layout to the Ally, only with a dedicated Xbox button in place of the ASUS Armoury Crate button.
Despite the grips not looking as ergonomic as the Xbox controller, the original ROG Ally is still a decently comfortable gaming handheld to hold due to the grip shape.
That said, the new Xbox Ally has far more pronounced grips that make for more comfortable and convenient gaming sessions.
Unlike some other gaming handhelds like Nintendo Switch 2 and Lenovo Legion Go 2, both the ROG Ally and Xbox ROG Ally do not have detachable controllers, nor do they have built-in kickstands.
Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: Compatible games & Operating system
SOFTWARE WINNER: The Xbox Ally has an edge because of its ability to reduce Windows tasks in the background to make the device more efficient. But this will likely also come to ROG Ally soon.
It's important to note that both the ASUS ROG Ally and the new Xbox Ally run Windows 11, so they are capable of accessing the same programs and services that a gaming laptop can.
This means you can easily go to Steam, Xbox app, Epic Games Store, Battle.net, and many more.
Microsoft is also planning on releasing a new Gamepad layout that will make it easier to navigate Windows using controller buttons. For instance, the login pin menu will have 1 assigned to D-Pad up (as seen in Microsoft Insider Preview Build).
Depending on how Windows Gamepad layout is implemented, it could solve a lot of the issues people have using Windows on a gaming handheld.
One of the key differences between these handhelds is that the ROG Ally has an Armoury Crate button while the Xbox Ally has an Xbox button. Both programs can be used to launch games, adjust settings, and more.
However, the Xbox Ally has a new Xbox full-screen experience that turns off or reduces Windows background tasks so the handheld can run more efficiently while you play your games.
Xbox states that this leads to "more memory, higher framerates, and a fully immersive experience for players—all made possible by the versatility and freedom of Windows 11."
The Xbox button on the new Xbox Ally quickly gives players access to an enhanced Game Bar overlay that makes it easy to open programs, chat, or adjust settings and accessibility features.
In my own experience, I can say the Xbox full-screen experience does improve things, but it seriously needs to be refined further before it feels as intuitive and convenient as the Steam Deck interface.
I can say that I have a love-hate relationship with Armoury Crate.
On the one hand, the program is somewhat clunky and doesn't always offer all of the settings adjustments that I want. For instance, I have to open AMD Software if I want to enable certain AMD graphics features.
That all said, of the many gaming handhelds I've tested and used, ROG Ally and Xbox Ally's Armoury Crate does provide the most customization options to help me set up the handheld just the way I want it.
Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: Battery life
BATTERY WINNER: The new Xbox Ally offers longer battery life since it has a larger 60Whr battery capacity than the original Ally's 40Whr battery and has new energy-saving features.
The ROG Ally has a 40Whr battery that is capable of lasting up to four hours on low settings when playing less demanding games. However, it tends to run out of juice in less than an hour if it's playing more graphically intensive titles and on max TDP (thermal design power).
Of course, another option is to swap out the ROG Ally's battery for a better one. If you're interested, you can check out my ROG Ally battery upgrade guide for more info.
Meanwhile, Xbox Ally has a larger 60Whr battery capacity, and I was able to get it to last for roughly seven hours and six minutes while playing less demanding games. When I ran Cyberpunk 2077, the Xbox Ally only lasted about an hour and 48 minutes.
That said, many gaming handhelds really don't have very long battery life, so it might be in your best interest to get a power bank for ROG Ally or play your device while it is charging and docked to a TV.
Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: Which should I buy?
BEST OVERALL: Even though the Xbox Ally has a new Z2 A processor and a larger capacity battery, the original ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) can run a wider range of games than the Xbox Ally.
Both the ROG Ally and Xbox Ally are good devices, but there are a few trade-offs between them. The original ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) is more powerful than the Xbox ROG Ally with its Z2 A processor, so if you want to play more graphically demanding titles, it's the better pick.
The Xbox ROG Ally does have better battery life due to its larger capacity and ability to save power by turning off certain Windows 11 features in its Xbox mode. I also cannot argue with the improved grips on the Xbox Ally, which make this device easier to hold during gaming sessions. But it feels like less value for your money overall. That could change if you happen to grab one during a sale.
This handheld feels great in your hands thanks to the familiar Xbox controller-like design of the buttons and joysticks. While it doesn't have the most impressive screen, it is still really good and displays game visuals with vibrant color and good clarity. The proprietary software is a little janky and the battery life is rather short, though.
This newer gaming handheld has a 7-inch IPS display that reaches up to a 120Hz refresh rate and supports VRR. It offers ergonomic grips and has a dedicated Xbox button for quick access to your games and settings.
