After months of anticipation, the gaming community can finally mark their calendars for the launch of the Xbox Ally and its premium variant, the Xbox Ally X. Both devices are set to hit the market on October 16, 2025. While we still have a few weeks to wait, if you're eager to get your hands on one of these innovative handhelds, you're in the right place. Currently, Best Buy has set up listing pages for the Xbox Ally handhelds, although preorders are not yet available, and official pricing details remain undisclosed.
If you want to stay updated on when these devices will be in stock, you can click the links below and select the Notify Me button on Best Buy's website. This way, you'll receive an email notification as soon as the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are available for purchase.
Now, you might be wondering whether to choose the Xbox Ally or the Xbox Ally X. Our team at Windows Central has a reputation for rigorous testing, providing you with trustworthy insights to help you make the best gaming decision.
Before diving into the key differences between these two Windows-based handhelds, let's take a look at the specifications. The Xbox Ally comes in a sleek white design, while the premium Xbox Ally X sports a sophisticated black finish. Each device caters to different gaming needs. If you're on a budget, the white Xbox Ally is a more affordable option thanks to its modest specifications.
Since neither device has been released yet, we haven't conducted performance tests to compare them directly. However, it’s clear that if you're looking for top-tier handheld performance, the Xbox Ally X is the way to go. Its Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor boasts eight cores and 16 threads, significantly outpacing the base Xbox Ally's Ryzen Z2 A processor, which has four cores and eight threads. Additionally, the Xbox Ally X offers more RAM and storage, contributing to an overall smoother gaming experience.
Another advantage of the Xbox Ally X is its larger battery capacity, which is 33% more than that of the base model. This could lead to longer play sessions without needing to recharge, assuming the system is optimized effectively.
Aside from their casing color, memory, storage, and processor differences, the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X share many features. Both devices feature ergonomic grips inspired by the official Xbox Wireless Controller, 7-inch FHD IPS touchscreens, dual amp speakers, and support for Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.
However, one significant distinction is in their USB ports. The base Xbox Ally is equipped with two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, while the Xbox Ally X boasts a USB4 Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4 capabilities, in addition to a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port. This means that, despite both devices utilizing USB-C, the Thunderbolt 4 port on the Xbox Ally X offers considerably faster speeds for video, data transfer, and power delivery.
Both the Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X run on Windows 11, allowing them to function similarly to a gaming laptop but with the convenience of built-in controllers instead of a keyboard and touchpad. This opens up a world of gaming possibilities, enabling you to access various gaming services and programs, including Steam, Epic Game Store, Battle.net, and the Xbox App, provided that the handheld meets the game's system requirements.
To further enhance your gaming experience, Microsoft has introduced a new Handheld Compatibility Program. This initiative will label compatible games as either Handheld Optimized or Mostly Compatible. Additionally, new Windows Performance Fit indicators will help you understand how well a game can be expected to perform on the Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X, categorized into "Should play well" or "Should play great." This dual-part compatibility system will assist you in making informed game purchases for your new handheld.
If you have a compatible dock, you can easily connect your Xbox Ally handheld to a controller and enjoy gaming from the comfort of your couch. Alternatively, you can connect the device to a monitor and use it just like a regular computer, expanding your gaming options even further.
