Microsoft has officially revealed its long-anticipated handheld gaming console, the ROG Xbox Ally, developed in partnership with Asus. This new device aims to provide access to Xbox Game Pass libraries in a portable format, with its release scheduled for the end of 2025.
Microsoft has finally pulled back the curtain on its much-anticipated handheld gaming console, the ROG Xbox Ally. This collaboration with Asus aims to bring your entire Xbox Game Pass library, and more, directly into your hands, wherever you are. Get ready to play your favorite titles on the go, with the Ally slated for release at the end of 2025.
The biggest news for gamers is the ROG Xbox Ally's native support for Xbox Game Pass. This means from the moment you power it on, you'll have instant access to hundreds of games included with your subscription. With 34 million Game Pass members, this feature is set to be a massive draw, effectively giving players a huge library right out of the box.
The ROG Xbox Ally will come in two versions: the standard ROG Xbox Ally and the more robust ROG Xbox Ally X. Both models boast a vibrant 7-inch screen with sharp 1080p resolution, ensuring your games look great. The base model offers 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, while the "X" version steps up significantly with 24GB of memory, double the storage at 1TB, a more powerful processor, and an extended battery life for longer gaming sessions. As Xbox's head of gaming devices, Roanne Sones, put it, "Whether you're at home or on the go, your favorite games should follow you. Both handhelds allow players to play natively, via the cloud, or remotely with their Xbox console in another room."
What truly sets the ROG Xbox Ally apart is its use of Microsoft's Windows operating system. This isn't just an Xbox; it's a full-fledged portable PC. Ms. Sones highlighted this flexibility, stating, "Because these handhelds run Windows, you have access to games you can't get elsewhere, so you can enjoy the full freedom and versatility of PC gaming." This means you can seamlessly switch from the Xbox app to other platforms like Steam or EA Play, giving you access to virtually your entire PC game library on the go.
Microsoft is entering a handheld market already populated by strong contenders. The reveal of the ROG Xbox Ally comes just days after the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, a popular hybrid console, and alongside Valve's Steam Deck, a successful handheld PC. While Microsoft might be arriving a bit later, the native Game Pass support and the openness of a Windows-based system are significant advantages.
However, there are a few things to consider. The ROG Xbox Ally will be heavier than the new Switch 2, weighing in at 670g for the base model and 715g for the "X" version, compared to the Switch 2's 534g. The biggest unknown remains the price. Microsoft has yet to announce how much the new handhelds will cost, though the "X" version will naturally be more expensive. For reference, the Switch 2 retails around £395 in the UK, and Steam Deck models range from £349 to £569 depending on their specifications.
The ROG Xbox Ally is a bold move by Microsoft, offering a powerful and versatile portable gaming experience. It will be exciting to see how it shapes the future of handheld gaming when it launches at the end of 2025.
German prosecutors have arrested a Danish citizen suspected of spying for Iran, reportedly gathering intelligence on Jewish individuals and sites in B...
China’s manufacturing sector expanded in June for the first time in three months, according to a private-sector survey released Tuesday, signaling a...
Two Azerbaijani men who died in Russian custody last week were beaten to death, according to forensic officials in Baku, deepening diplomatic tensions...
The G7 Foreign Ministers urge Iran to promptly resume full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), in accordance with its safe...
Factory activity across much of Asia remained subdued in June as the uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy weighed heavily on manufacturing sentim...
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
Microsoft announced on Monday that it will begin hosting AI models from Elon Musk's xAI, Meta Platforms, and European startups like Mistral and Black Forest Labs in its own data centers.
Microsoft has announced 6,000 job cuts, representing nearly 3% of its workforce, as part of a strategy to streamline operations and prioritize investments in artificial intelligence.
US Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ron Wyden are pressing Google and Microsoft for details on their AI partnerships, raising concerns that such deals may stifle competition, breach antitrust laws, and limit innovation in the fast-growing AI sector.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
Over the past year, 162 asteroids flew closer to Earth than the Moon. NASA and ESA warn only 40% of dangerous objects have been identified, with one asteroid posing a small risk of hitting the Moon in 2032.
A Chinese firm has launched what it claims is the country’s first 24/7 intelligent laser weeding robot, aiming to phase out chemical herbicides and cut agricultural pollution at its source.
Set on top of Chile’s Cerro Pachón mountain, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory will soon embark on a ten-year survey, using cutting-edge technology to uncover new secrets of the universe.
Scientists at the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences have identified a genetic 'dimmer switch' that controls how genes turn on and off during embryo formation, offering insights for future therapies.
Japan has launched its H2A rocket for the final time, marking a shift to its next-generation H3 programme.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment