Microsoft and Asus Open Pre-Orders for ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X Handhelds in Ukraine

Microsoft and Asus Unleash ROG Xbox Ally Handhelds: Pre-orders Open in Ukraine

The gaming landscape just got a significant shake-up as Microsoft and Asus have officially launched pre-orders for their highly anticipated ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X portable gaming consoles. This marks a pivotal moment for Microsoft, introducing their first-ever dedicated handheld Xbox devices, aiming to bridge the gap between PC gaming prowess and ultimate mobility.

Diving Deep into the Specs: A Tale of Two Alllies

At the heart of the ROG Xbox Ally X lies the formidable AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, boasting 8 Zen 5 cores and 16 RDNA 3.5 graphics cores. With a configurable TDP ranging from 15 to 35 watts, this powerhouse delivers performance astonishingly close to that of modern gaming laptops, all packed into a compact form factor. This is the premium offering, commanding a price of $999 in the US, and a substantial 42,999 UAH in Ukraine.

The standard ROG Xbox Ally, priced at $599 in the US and 29,999 UAH in Ukraine, features a custom-designed AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor. This chip comprises 4 Zen 2 cores and 8 RDNA 2 graphics cores, operating within a lower TDP range of 6 to 20 watts. While this positions it as a compelling contender in the handheld PC space, perhaps drawing comparisons to the Steam Deck, its performance is expected to be more modest. However, this also introduces an element of the unknown for the more budget-conscious buyer – a new, unproven processor that could either surprise with its capabilities or fall short of expectations.

Price Point: A Premium Proposition

Let's address the elephant in the room: the price. When viewed against traditional consoles, the ROG Xbox Ally series presents a significant investment. The base model, even in its white variant, arrives at a price point $150 higher than the Nintendo Switch OLED, a console that itself faced criticism for its pricing. It also exceeds the original launch price of the Xbox Series X in the US by $100, even considering recent price hikes from Microsoft. In European and UK markets, the base Ally's cost mirrors that of the Xbox Series X. The crucial differentiator, however, is undeniable mobility – an Xbox Series X remains tethered to a television, while the Ally can accompany you on any adventure.

A Windows Wonderland for PC Gamers

For the PC gaming community, the ROG Xbox Ally represents an exciting prospect. These devices are built upon an updated Windows foundation, engineered to offer a more streamlined gaming experience. By minimizing the presence of the standard desktop interface and Explorer shell, more system resources are freed up for games. Furthermore, the user interface is optimized for controller-only navigation, promising a console-like feel within a portable PC environment.

The Rising Tide of Portable Gaming Costs

The trend towards escalating prices in the portable gaming sector is evident. Top-tier devices like the ROG Xbox Ally X are now directly competing with established gaming laptops on price. The $999 Ally X finds itself in direct contention with the MSI Claw 8 AI Plus at the same price point and the Lenovo Legion Go 2, which retails for $1349. Notably, all these premium devices are equipped with the powerful AMD Z2 Extreme chip, signifying a new benchmark for handheld performance.

Ergonomics and Global Availability

Despite the premium pricing, early impressions from journalists who have had hands-on experience with the new Ally devices highlight one of their most significant strengths: an exceptionally comfortable and ergonomic design, setting a new standard among portable consoles. Microsoft has confirmed a vast global rollout for both the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X, encompassing regions from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the EU, to Ukraine, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam. Additional launches are slated for Brazil, China, India, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Switzerland.

Ukrainian Availability and Future Outlook

In Ukraine, pre-orders for the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X are now open through the official ASUS Ukraine online store and prominent Ukrainian partners, MOYO and Rozetka. The ROG Xbox Ally X (2025), featuring the cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, is available for pre-order at 42,999 UAH. The ROG Xbox Ally (2025) model, equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z2 processor and a 512GB SSD, can be pre-ordered for 29,999 UAH. Both models are slated to hit the market in mid-October. The arrival of these devices signifies a bold step for Microsoft into the portable gaming arena, offering a compelling, albeit expensive, blend of Windows flexibility, unparalleled mobility, and a fresh approach to handheld gaming. Consumers will undoubtedly face the intriguing dilemma of choosing between the convenience and innovative features of these handhelds versus the raw power and familiar experience of traditional stationary consoles.