Full Specs Revealed For Both Versions Of The 2025 Xbox Handheld

I’ve read the blog post. Steam is directly integrated into the Xbox UI. It’s not accessed via some hacky sideload nonsense. This essentially confirms all the rumours that the successor to XSX will support Steam too. And it’s not just a side thought, it’s front and centre feature. This is their vision for future Xbox, it’s basically just a PC optimised for controller play. Sounds absolutely brilliant honestly! Incredibly exciting!

@Cakefish If the next Xbox integrates Steam, Epic and GOG, I'll be a happy camper. I have a bunch of games (especially on GOG, thanks Amazon), but I don't like gaming on PC. So that would be a great reason to get the next hardware

@themightyant this isnt going to be cheap is it. Im hoping someone puts up a comparison of specs with the current Rog's so we can get an indication of price.

@Cakefish i just wish it won't signal death to native Xbox games, cause optimization will be nonexistent and games will always run worse compared to PS6 version.

To win back some good will, they should be comparible to the series x and s prices(LAUNCH prices).

If they can get the lower model under 700 ill bite(699 is ok), but only if it handles streaming well and isnt a total mess in ergonomics and battery life

@themightyant they way they talked on the stream about how Xbox vision includes other storefronts now, how they were hyping up Play Anywhere at every opportunity, how Steam is literally directly integrated into the UI of this controller-optimised Windows handheld. It’s all there, all the pieces falling into place, it’s so obvious to me now. Those rumours are legit. I’m a full believer now. This reveal of the handhelds and the tone of the showcase confirms everything, in my view. What an exciting vision for Xbox! I’m so fully on board with merging Xbox and Steam into one super platform to rule them all.

Well the ROG Ally X is currently £799 so it’s not going to be cheaper than that is it? Unless the Xbox Ally is restricted to just Xbox games and doesn’t offer all the benefits of the other Ally models where you can download from Steam etc so therefore it should be about £100 or £200 less.

I personally wouldn’t pay more than £500 for the ROG Xbox Ally X, hence why I’ve not bought a ROG Ally before as I think they are just too expensive for what they are. The Series X was £450 on release which has much more powerful specs, yes it’s a stationary static console that you can’t take anywhere with you and play on the go but is that why the Ally X is £350 more? If so that’s ridiculous.

Someone tell AMD they can't keep putting RDNA2 and (barely changed) RDNA3 graphics to their newest handheld APU. The stagnation is real.

Also, will MS subsidizes the cost of these handhelds? It would be great if Xbox Ally X doesn't go over $599.

I'm quite tempted to get this to be fair, it was one hell of a slick reveal, but I wouldn't want to pay more than £600...

@endlessleep the z2 chip in the xbox ally x is more powerful than the current ally x. There is no chance it sells for cheaper than the current, less powerful model unfortunately.

I said I wouldn't.
But I think I might.

For a brief insight, If it is the same sku as the standard & current rog ally expect 30fps at 720 on low graphics settings playing oblivion remastered for example but that is a demanding game in itself.

@TapeLoader Yeah but the Series X successor is rumoured not to be a true console either. It's just a PC with a console-like UI layered on top of Windows. Essentially exactly what this handheld PC is going to be. Except it's also rumoured to be able to play the XSX console library too and I think that's an absolutely essential feature so that current Xbox players don't get completely f***** over by this transition. Yep, you're right, I fully agree that it won't be subsidised hardware anymore. So it's going to cost a lot, just like gaming PCs do today.

@TapeLoader did you watch the presentation? Sarah bond strongly suggested they are going in a hybrid pc/console direction

@TapeLoader if Microsoft/xbox puts out a mid tier console/pc hybrid with xbox UI and access to steam and other launchers it would sell insanely well. I’m not interested in spending 2k+ for a pc not including good monitors etc. on the other hand why would I buy a PS6 when I could get the next Xbox and have access both Xbox games and PlayStation games via steam. I don’t care if it has the “shackles” of being a console I prefer a console experience as it is more intuitive and seamless compared to pc gaming. You’re looking at the idea from your hardcore gamer perspective but most gamers are casual and just want something that’s easy to boot up and play.

@Wilshiire you are aware Sony can and have blocked access to their games via steam on certain devices?

@TapeLoader I’m from Canada so here for a decent gaming desktop it’s typically 2k and up CAD. I should have specified the currency. It won’t be easy but I think Xbox could pull it off. And I agree if the gap in price between pc and console continues to shrink then it does make more sense to buy a PC.

@Weebleman which devices has Sony blocked PlayStation game access via steam to? I mean they could but I do believe the future of gaming is multi-platform and I don’t think Sony would want to give up the sales. Xbox has been the #1 publisher with game sales since starting their multi platform strategy. With prices going up, consumers will likely buy fewer games so PlayStation will need to cast as wide of a net as possible. Especially with PlayStations blunders as of late such as concord and likely soon to be marathon and fairgames lol.

I don’t see PlayStation blocking game sales to a big chunk of customers especially if the customer has to purchase the game through steam and not directly through the Xbox store.

@Wilshiire Not on steam, my bad there, but g force now. They only have to block the device once it registers. So they dont have to block steam, they just block them being played on an xbox device or associated device.

Despite sonys blunders and, let's be honest, they've face palmed themselves repeatedly this gen, they continue to shift consoles far in excess of its direct competition. Do you really think those xbox games would be multiplatform if it was the other way around?

They continue to sell consoles and those people either buy games or sign up to plus. They aren't exactly drying up on the revenue front. Plus they just got a cut of the MS games without paying a penny to develop, port, or publish them.

Xbox has been the number one publisher because they bought so many massive properties. Its hardly like they grafted their way to the top.

My point is you likely won't be playing Sony games on an xbox developed device anytime soon.

My point is you likely won't be playing Sony games on an xbox developed device anytime soon

Your point also makes another point. It's the palatable elation felt from the Sony hardcore populace for every device Sony blocks their games on😅🤦‍♂️...but you're very likely right though.

@TapeLoader if it’s anything like Series X then it’ll be well designed, compact hardware. You have to compare against mini-ITX components and cases in the DIY market and those are more expensive and a lot trickier to assemble than typical ATX PCs. So there’s still a big advantage to having such a device made by Microsoft I think personally. No it’s not going to beat the DIY market on performance per [regional currency] but it will offer convenience and plug and play - more akin to traditional consoles we have today. There’s value in that!

@endlessleep yup and we already see how lazy developers are in regard to the series x this generation. Since it’s stronger than the PS5 they just get it running on the console since PS5 is the lead console. No matter how powerful the next Xbox is, developers will still be lazy with it I expect. It’s up the MS to leverage its hardware with all of their 1st party studios.

This looks brilliant! A gaming handheld that looks comfortable to hold! Also, one of my favorite things about the xbox series consoles (outside of the incredibly comfortable controller) is the OS. It's the best interface on any of the three consoles imo and it's going to work so well on this thing. I do wonder how much it'll cost though.