- By Alex David
- Wed, 22 Oct 2025 12:48 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Microsoft has clarified that Asus guided the pricing of the new Xbox-branded ROG Ally handhelds, which launched globally on October 16. The lineup includes the base ROG Xbox Ally and the premium ROG Xbox Ally X, with the latter priced at a steep $1,000 (Rs. 1,14,990 in India).
Pricing Details
Base Model (ROG Xbox Ally): $599.99 (Rs. 69,990 in India)
Premium Model (ROG Xbox Ally X): $999.99 (Rs. 1,14,990 in India)
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The Xbox Ally X features the more powerful AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chipset, along with a larger battery, expanded storage, and increased memory compared to the base model. For context, last year’s ROG Ally X ran on Ryzen Z1 Extreme and launched at $799, while the Z1 Extreme variant of the 2023 ROG Ally started at $699.
Why the Price Increase?
According to Xbox president Sarah Bond, Asus determined the pricing based on market considerations, device features, and consumer demand. Microsoft provided guidance on multiple options for gamers but emphasised that pricing decisions were primarily Asus’s call, leveraging their insight into the hardware and the market.
Market Reception and Demand
Despite the premium pricing, demand for the handhelds has been strong. Pre-orders for the $1,000 ROG Xbox Ally X sold out on the Xbox Store worldwide. Bond described the reception as “overwhelming”, noting rapid sales across other regions as well.
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Looking Ahead
Bond hinted that Microsoft could create its own handheld in the future, though currently they're focused on creating their next-gen Xbox home console that will provide an experience more tailored towards Windows gaming.
At its core, ROG Xbox Ally series gamers value its hardware, performance and features; hence its high price has garnered much discussion and strong demand among them.