ROG Xbox Ally release date leak: October 16 launch with pre-orders opening Aug 20

By Pocket Pixel News Staff, August 7 2025

What the leak tells us

The ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X are easily the most anticipated handhelds of the year, melding Microsoft’s Xbox ecosystem with ASUS’ high-end PC hardware. Thanks to a reliable leak, we might finally know when the two systems are launching. A dataminer known as Billbil-kun shared new intel through Dealabs that points to an October 16 release date for both the ROG Xbox Ally and the higher-spec Ally X, with pre-orders supposedly beginning on August 20 during Gamescom. Until Microsoft and ASUS confirm it, treat this as an informed rumour – but it’s consistent with previous whispers and the devices’ holiday target win.dow.

Billbil-kun’s report claims that both handhelds will hit shelves on October 16 2025 in Europe, with a near-simultaneous launch expected in North America and other regions. Pre-orders are rumoured to go live on August 20, right after Gamescom’s Opening Night Live. Microsoft is reportedly planning a dedicated stream that day along with the first public hands-on sessions.

Pricing hasn’t been finalised, but the leak reiterates previous figures of €599 for the standard ROG Xbox Ally and €899 for the Ally X. U.S. pricing is expected to align with the existing Ally models, which retail for about $649.99 and $899.99.

This timeline lines up with Microsoft’s Gamescom strategy. Announcing pricing and opening pre-orders at the show gives the company a huge marketing moment ahead of the holiday shopping season and leaves enough time for production ahead of Black Friday.

Specs and differences: Ally vs Ally X

Both handhelds are Windows 11 portable PCs with console-style controls – ABXY buttons, dual analog sticks and assignable back paddles. They share a 7-inch 1080p IPS display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus with a DXC anti-reflection coating. The differences lie under the hood:

• Processor: The ROG Xbox Ally uses an AMD Ryzen Z2 APU, while the Ally X sports a more powerful Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme.
• Memory: 16 GB of LPDDR5X-6400 RAM in the base model versus 24 GB of LPDDR5X-8000 in the Ally X.
• Storage: A 512 GB M.2 SSD is standard on the Ally, but the X variant doubles it to 1 TB.
• Battery: 60 Wh for the Ally and 80 Wh for the Ally X, translating into longer gaming sessions.
• Weight: 670 g on the base unit and 715 g on the Ally X.
• I/O: Both models have multiple USB-C ports and UHS-II micro-SD card readers, with Thunderbolt 4 support on the Ally X.

In short, the Ally X is the premium option aimed at enthusiasts who want desktop-grade performance in a handheld. The base Ally remains a potent portable PC, comparable to the existing ROG Ally but with the addition of an Xbox-centric UI and custom impulse triggers.

What to expect at Gamescom

Microsoft has already confirmed that the ROG handhelds will be playable at Gamescom, promising a “first public hands-on” during its August 20 broadcast. According to reports, the company will host a special stream at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET / 2 PM BST / 3 PM CEST. Expect final pricing, pre-order details and demos of Xbox Game Pass titles running natively and via cloud. There will also likely be third-party PC games from Steam and Epic Games Store on display.

Regional availability remains a question mark. Billbil-kun specifies Europe, but Microsoft typically aims for near-global hardware launches. The company will need to clarify which territories are part of the first wave and whether regions like Japan and Australia will see the devices by October.

Why this leak matters

The handheld PC market has exploded since Valve’s Steam Deck rewrote expectations, and ASUS’ original ROG Ally proved there’s room for multiple players. By partnering with Microsoft, the ROG Xbox Ally family bridges console convenience and PC flexibility. A built-in Xbox-style interface means you can boot straight into the Xbox dashboard to access Game Pass and social features, but you still have a full Windows installation underneath for mods, emulators and alternative launchers.

If the October 16 date holds, the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X will go head-to-head with Nintendo’s rumoured Switch 2 launch and a crowded fall release schedule. They’re also arriving just months after ASUS’ own Ally X refresh, which swapped the white shell for black and improved battery life. Microsoft will push the devices as the ultimate Game Pass machine – something that could appeal to console players and PC gamers who don’t want to lug a laptop around.

Positioned at €599 / €899, the systems sit above the Steam Deck but below premium gaming laptops. With AMD’s new Z-series chips promising better efficiency and AI acceleration, the Ally X could set a new performance bar for handhelds. Still, Microsoft and ASUS need to prove that Windows on a handheld won’t feel clunky and that the cooling system can handle demanding games without excessive fan noise or thermal throttling.

Final thoughts

As of now, the October 16 release date and August 20 pre-order period remain unconfirmed, but the consistency of independent reports and their alignment with Gamescom makes them hard to dismiss. If you’re excited about the ROG Xbox Ally or Ally X, mark your calendar for August 20 and watch the Xbox Gamescom broadcast. We’ll cover the event live and update you as official details drop. In the meantime, decide whether you value battery life or price more and start saving – handheld PC gaming is about to get very interesting.