We Lastly Know How A lot the Xbox Handheld Will Value

Xbox has a pricing problem, and that’s not altering with the corporate’s first formally branded handheld. Microsoft and Asus’ ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are set to launch on Oct. 16, and after weeks and weeks of constructing everybody wait, we lastly understand how a lot they may price. For those who’re planning on shopping for one, do it at launch earlier than tariffs pressure Microsoft to jack up costs prefer it has with Xbox consoles.

Xbox Ally preorders began later Thursday, Sept. 25. The common Xbox Ally will promote for $600. It comes at base with an AMD Ryzen Z2A processor, with specs that trace it may very well be equal to Valve’s $550 Steam Deck OLED in efficiency. It additionally packs 16GB of RAM and a 60Wh battery with a 7-inch IPS LCD show. At that worth, Asus and Xbox try to say some small a part of the PC handheld market dominated by Valve’s handheld, even when it lacks the prettier OLED show. The Xbox Ally is a bit bigger than a Steam Deck, although it feels extra ergonomic because of its controller-like grips.

The one you truly need, the Xbox Ally X, will demand $1,000 out of your already-stretched pockets. The darker handheld incorporates an AMD Ryzen Z2 Excessive, the long-awaited SoC—or system on a chip—that ought to have higher efficiency in video games in comparison with handheld PCs from the final two years. How way more highly effective is a query with a giant crimson “to be decided” signal hanging over it, however earlier leaks have suggested it gained’t be too a lot better than earlier than operating on the highest doable energy settings. It could do higher at decrease energy, so that you might be able to recreation for longer at a steady body charge. The dearer Xbox Ally additionally comes with 24GB of RAM, 1TB of storage, and an 80Wh battery—equal to final yr’s $900 ROG Ally X. The extra highly effective handheld will solely be out there by Greatest Purchase.

Trump tariffs have prompted havoc with PC and gaming costs. Final week, Microsoft hiked costs of all its Xbox Collection S and Collection X consoles. Now, if you need the Xbox with a disc drive, it’s going to set you again $650. The Galaxy Black model with 2TB of storage now prices a whopping $800. This yr, Asus hiked the price of its Ally X by $100, as much as $900. Lenovo raised costs on its Legion Go S handheld PCs with SteamOS to $650 at base. Lenovo initially cited $550 again when it introduced the hand-held again throughout CES 2025. The Legion Go 2, with its 8.8-inch OLED show and a Ryzen Z2 Excessive, begins at $1,350. If you would like a handheld PC that may run some AAA video games at considerably steady body charges, you’ll find yourself paying by the nostril for it.

Asus and Xbox stalled out in August and refused to share the preorder date and worth. I’ve wrapped my arms across the handheld’s comfy Xbox controller-like grips, but it surely wasn’t almost sufficient time to say if the hand-held is well worth the cash. The brand new Xbox Ally units will sport Microsoft’s new model of Home windows 11 constructed particularly for handhelds. In comparison with different handheld PCs operating the OS, the brand new model will make deciding on video games throughout your varied distribution platforms simpler. It could additionally lastly repair the annoying points when placing these units to sleep. Most significantly, they need to enhance efficiency by nixing background duties.

Some customers have managed to get a model of the Xbox handheld expertise engaged on different Home windows units. We nonetheless need to see how the ultimate model shakes out. Ultimately, SteamOS should show to be a a lot cleaner, console-like expertise thanks to 3 years of updates from Valve, plus an lively developer neighborhood. The Steam Deck {hardware} is wanting just a little lengthy within the tooth, but it surely’s nonetheless the most cost effective handheld round—a minimum of till Valve inevitably hikes costs similar to each different firm.