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 know the way a lot they may value. In the event you’re planning on shopping for one, do it at launch earlier than tariffs drive 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 might 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 assert 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 really need, the Xbox Ally X, will demand $1,000 out of your already-stretched pockets. The darker handheld comprises 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 far more highly effective is a query with an enormous pink “to be decided” signal hanging over it, however earlier leaks have suggested it gained’t be too a lot better than earlier than working on the highest potential energy settings. It might do higher at decrease energy, so that you could possibly recreation for longer at a secure body charge. The costlier 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 way of Finest Purchase.

Trump tariffs have brought about havoc with PC and gaming costs. Final week, Microsoft hiked costs of all its Xbox Sequence S and Sequence X consoles. Now, if you’d like the Xbox with a disc drive, it should 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 need a handheld PC that may run some AAA video games at considerably secure body charges, you’ll find yourself paying by way of the nostril for it.

Asus and Xbox stalled out in August and refused to share the preorder date and worth. I’ve wrapped my palms across the handheld’s comfy Xbox controller-like grips, however it wasn’t almost sufficient time to say if the hand held is definitely 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 working the OS, the brand new model will make choosing video games throughout your numerous distribution platforms simpler. It might additionally lastly repair the annoying points when placing these units to sleep. Most significantly, they need to improve 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 must see how the ultimate model shakes out. In the long run, SteamOS should still show to be a a lot cleaner, console-like expertise thanks to 3 years of updates from Valve, plus an energetic developer neighborhood. The Steam Deck {hardware} is wanting a little bit lengthy within the tooth, however it’s nonetheless the most affordable handheld round—a minimum of till Valve inevitably hikes costs identical to each different firm.