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Microsoft has officially announced its entry into the handheld console arena with the ROG Xbox Ally, which will enable Game Pass subscribers to play their games on the go. Developed in conjunction with Asus, a maker of handhelds since 2023, the new console is expected to launch at the end of 2025, with pricing details yet to be released.
Speculation over Microsoft making a handheld Xbox has been widespread for more than a decade, with the company starting and scrapping various efforts over the years.
Microsoft's announcement comes just three days after the launch of the Switch 2. Much like its predecessor, the Switch 2 is a hybrid gaming device - meaning it can be both played on-the-go and connected to a TV.
Its success likely led to the design of Valve's Steam Deck, a handheld PC which gives gamers access to the entire library of titles they've bought through game distribution service Steam - though not all the games work on the device.
It means Microsoft may be accused of being slightly late to the game when rivals already exist in the space, but the benefit of native support for Game Pass will address a lot of concerns for its 34 million subscribers.
Microsoft's new handheld will comes in two flavours, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X.
The two versions both share a 7 inch screen with 1080p resolution.
The base version comes with 16GB memory and 512GB storage, while the "X" version has 24GB memory and double the storage.
The more powerful version of the handheld also has a bigger battery and a more powerful processor. In both cases, Xbox will be hoping to convince players that it offers something out of the box that its rivals don't - Microsoft's operating system.
It means gamers can leave the Xbox app and launch other gaming platforms - such as Steam and EA Play - through the device.
But all that capability comes at a cost when it comes to weight.
At 670g and 715g respectively, the base and X versions of the Xbox Ally may be heavier than handheld gamers are used to - with Nintendo's new Switch 2 weighing a fair bit less at 534g.
Microsoft decided not to reveal how much its new handheld will cost, but it goes without saying the more powerful X version will also be more expensive.
