Gamescom Leak: Xbox ROG Ally & Ally X Oct 16 Launch, Pre-orders Aug 20

6 minutes Kevin Leye

A reliable leak suggests ASUS’ Xbox-branded ROG Ally and the higher-end Ally X are set for a European release on October 16, with pre-orders reportedly opening August 20 around Gamescom. Expected prices land at €599 for the base model and €899 for the X, both running Windows 11 with a full-screen Xbox experience and an aggregated library across PC stores. If true, this might be the closest thing to an Xbox handheld in 2025’s lead-up, signaling Microsoft’s growing comfort with third-party hardware carrying the green banner.

What’s being rumored

  • Launch window: Mid-October in Europe, with August 20 marked for pre-orders.
  • Two models: Xbox ROG Ally and Xbox ROG Ally X.
  • Prices: €599 for the Ally, €899 for the Ally X, according to the leak.
  • OS and experience: Windows 11, Xbox-focused UI, and a unified library across storefronts like Steam, Battle.net, and GOG, plus Xbox Play Anywhere support.

Why this matters for Xbox fans For years, Xbox leadership has flirted with the idea of a handheld without planting a definitive flag. A branded ROG Ally line gives the ecosystem a portable presence sooner rather than later, while Microsoft continues to refine its long-term approach. In short: you might get your Xbox-on-the-go without waiting for a first-party device, and you won’t be locked into a walled garden either because, well, it’s Windows.

Specs snapshot without the jargon

  • Xbox ROG Ally: AMD Ryzen Z2 A-class chip, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD. Think “solid 1080p portable PC” tuned with an Xbox front-end.
  • Xbox ROG Ally X: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme-tier chip, 24 GB high-speed RAM. More muscle, more headroom, better for power users.
  • Both: Windows 11, full-screen Xbox interface, Play Anywhere compatibility, and access to your installed PC libraries.

Prices that hint at positioning The rumored €599 entry price hits that sweet zone for portable gaming PCs aiming to undercut or at least challenge the high-end handhelds while offering a specifically Xbox-forward experience. The €899 Ally X price tag plants a flag in enthusiast territory: higher RAM, stronger silicon, potentially better endurance and thermals. If ASUS keeps improvements consistent with previous X-tier bumps in the handheld space, expect longer sessions away from the charger and smoother performance in heavier games.

How the Xbox layer changes the handheld PC equation Windows handhelds already have flexibility, but they also come with setup overhead. An Xbox-first UI is the play here: boot up, land in a familiar dashboard, view your Game Pass library, and jump into games without wrangling multiple launchers. The aggregator layer is key—bring your installed titles from other stores into one view, then bounce between Halo and your Steam favorites without feeling like you’re operating a mini laptop.

What I’m watching for at Gamescom

  • Battery and thermals: The Ally lineage is known for balancing power and heat in a tight chassis. The X model’s extra headroom should help, but we need specifics on battery capacity and fan acoustics.
  • Controls and ergonomics: Good sticks, precise triggers, and a comfortable grip make or break handhelds in lengthy sessions. Dead zones, stick drift resilience, and button tactility all matter.
  • Display tuning: Brightness, color accuracy, refresh rate, and VRR support. A great panel sells the fantasy of console-quality gaming on the go.
  • Software polish: The Xbox UI layer should feel snappy and stable, with quick resume-like convenience wherever feasible and minimal driver hassles.
  • Storage options: 512 GB fills up fast. Clear guidance on microSD speeds and easy SSD upgrades will be important, especially for the base model.
  • Docking and peripherals: A clean path to couch or desk play via USB-C docks, eGPU possibilities for the adventurous, and seamless controller pairing.

Who each model is for

  • The Xbox ROG Ally: You want a portable Xbox-style experience plus the freedom of PC, you play a mix of indie and AA titles, and you’re okay dialing settings for big-budget games. You value price over top-end specs but still want modern silicon.
  • The Xbox ROG Ally X: You’re the tinkerer or the frame-rate stickler. You plan to push big releases at higher settings, multitask, and mod. You want more RAM for asset-heavy games and, likely, better endurance.

What this could mean for Microsoft’s handheld ambitions Partnering with ASUS lets Xbox test the waters without committing to first-party hardware right away. It also dovetails with talk around tighter collaborations with AMD on silicon across “devices in your living room and in your hands.” Even if a purely first-party handheld isn’t around the corner, a strong third-party portfolio with Xbox branding can fill the gap and keep Game Pass in your backpack.

Practical buying advice if the dates hold

  • Consider your library: If you live in Game Pass and Play Anywhere, these devices will feel tailored to you. If you also have a giant Steam backlog, the aggregator view is a real perk.
  • Think about your top three games: Competitive shooters and sim racers love extra RAM and higher clocks. Strategy and indie titles run well across both models.
  • Budget for storage: Games are big, patches are bigger. Factor in a larger SSD or a high-end microSD card from day one.
  • Manage expectations: A handheld isn’t a desktop. You’ll still tweak settings, cap frames, and rely on smart profiles to balance performance and battery life.
  • Wait for hands-on impressions: If you’re on the fence between the Ally and Ally X, post-announcement previews will likely clarify battery gains, thermals, and real-world frame rates.

The bottom line If the leak is accurate, August 20 becomes your decision day, with mid-October marking the start of a very Xbox-flavored handheld era in Europe. The pitch is straightforward: the flexibility of a Windows gaming PC wrapped in an Xbox-first experience, at two performance tiers for different budgets. It’s not a first-party Xbox handheld, but it might be the most Xbox you can fit into a backpack this year. As always with leaks, treat the details as provisional—but if this lands as rumored, the portable console wars just got a lot more interesting.