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

Author: Pocket Pixel News Staff | Date: August 7 2025 | Reading time: 4 min

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【476971729742034†L155-L170】. Until Microsoft and ASUS confirm it, treat this as an informed rumour – but it’s consistent with previous whispers and the devices’ holiday target window.

What the leak tells us

Billbil‑kun’s report (translated from French) claims that both handhelds will hit shelves on October 16 2025【476971729742034†L155-L170】. The leak stresses that the date applies to Europe, but it’s likely we’ll see a near‑simultaneous launch in North America and other markets【259320720713249†L53-L63】. Pre‑orders are expected to go live on August 20, one day after Gamescom Opening Night Live【259320720713249†L53-L76】. That’s also the day Xbox has scheduled a dedicated Gamescom stream and the first public hands‑on sessions for the devices【981315321029988†L73-L76】. Pricing is still unconfirmed, but the same leak reiterates previous figures of €599 for the standard ROG Xbox Ally and €899 for the Ally X【476971729742034†L160-L164】. For U.S. customers, expect pricing similar to the current Ally models, which retail for around $649.99 and $899.99【259320720713249†L83-L90】.

The leak’s timing makes sense. Gamescom is the world’s biggest gaming expo, and Microsoft has already confirmed that the Xbox handhelds will be playable there. Revealing pricing and opening pre‑orders during the show gives the platform holder a huge marketing moment heading into the holiday season. It also leaves enough runway to manufacture stock and ship units before Black Friday.

Specs and differences: Ally vs Ally X

Beyond the release window, Billbil‑kun’s report reiterates the previously disclosed specifications. Both devices are Windows 11 handheld PCs with console‑style controls – ABXY buttons, dual analog sticks, and assignable back paddles【476971729742034†L180-L189】. They share a 7‑inch 1080p IPS display with a 120 Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium support and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus with DXC anti‑reflection coating【476971729742034†L190-L200】.

Where they diverge is under the hood:

• Processor: The ROG Xbox Ally uses an AMD Ryzen Z2 APU, while the Ally X sports the more powerful Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme【476971729742034†L190-L193】.
• Memory: 16 GB of LPDDR5X‑6400 RAM in the base model versus 24 GB of LPDDR5X‑8000 in the Ally X【476971729742034†L190-L193】. That extra headroom should help with multitasking and future‑proofing.
• Storage: A 512 GB M.2 2280 SSD is standard on the Ally, but the X variant doubles it to 1 TB【476971729742034†L191-L193】.
• Battery: 60 Wh for the Ally and 80 Wh for the Ally X, which should translate into significantly longer gaming sessions【476971729742034†L213-L214】.
• Weight: 670 g on the base unit and 715 g on the Ally X【476971729742034†L211-L213】.
• I/O: Both models feature multiple USB‑C ports, including support for Thunderbolt 4 on the Ally X, and UHS‑II micro‑SD card readers【476971729742034†L201-L207】.

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

What to expect at Gamescom

Microsoft has been surprisingly transparent about its Gamescom plans, promising over twenty playable titles and a “first public hands‑on” for the ROG handhelds【981315321029988†L55-L76】. According to XboxEra, the company is hosting a special event on Wednesday, August 20 at 6 AM PT / 9 AM ET / 2 PM BST / 3 PM CEST【981315321029988†L73-L76】. This stream will likely confirm the leak, reveal final pricing and pre‑order bonuses, and show off how the Xbox software experience has been tailored to a handheld form factor. Expect demos of Xbox Game Pass titles running natively and via cloud, along with third‑party PC games from Steam and the Epic Games Store.

One big unknown is regional availability. Billbil‑kun specifies Europe, but Microsoft historically aims for global day‑and‑date hardware launches. The company will need to clarify which territories are part of the first wave and whether the devices will reach regions like Japan and Australia by October.【476971729742034†L165-L170】

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 aims to bridge console convenience and PC flexibility. A built‑in Xbox‑style interface means you can boot straight into the Xbox dashboard to access Game Pass, social features and the Game Bar, but you still have a full Windows installation underneath for installing mods, emulators or 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 coming just months after ASUS’ own Ally X refresh, which swapped the white shell for black and improved battery life. We expect Microsoft to push the devices as the ultimate Game Pass machine – something that could fill the portable void left by the discontinued Xbox One X and appeal to PC gamers who don’t want to lug a laptop around.

The pricing leak of €599 / €899 positions the systems well above the Steam Deck but below premium gaming laptops【259320720713249†L83-L90】. With AMD’s new Z‑series chips promising better efficiency and on‑chip 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 AAA games without excessive fan noise or thermal throttling. Our take? This leak is credible, but the market will only embrace yet another handheld if it delivers a truly seamless experience.

Final thoughts

As of now, the October 16 date and August 20 pre‑order period are still unconfirmed, but the consistency of multiple independent reports and their alignment with Gamescom makes them hard to dismiss【259320720713249†L53-L76】. 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 be covering the event live and will update you the moment official details drop.

In the meantime, get familiar with the specs, decide whether you value battery life or price more, and maybe start saving. Handheld PC gaming is about to get very interesting.

Image credit: ASUS/ROG. Two ROG Xbox Ally handheld consoles (a black Ally X and a white standard Ally) hover over a blue gradient background, showing the Xbox interface on their screens.