New Xbox Handheld Console Leak: Design, Launch Window & Game Pass Integration Revealed

INTRODUCTION Microsoft has finally entered the portable-gaming arena with the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X—a pair of Windows 11 handhelds built in partnership with ASUS and revealed during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025. The announcement positions Xbox to compete directly with Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch 2 and other PC-class portables, while extending the Xbox ecosystem—Game Pass, Play Anywhere and Cloud Gaming—beyond the living room. TWO MODELS, ONE ECOSYSTEM • ROG Xbox Ally: the baseline model targets mainstream players with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A APU, 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and a 512 GB upgradable SSD. • ROG Xbox Ally X: the flagship steps up to an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 24 GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1 TB SSD, impulse triggers and a larger 80 Wh battery for marathon sessions. Both units share a 7-inch 1080p 120 Hz IPS display (500 nits, FreeSync Premium) protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, dual USB-C ports with DisplayPort 2.1, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, gyro support and HD haptics. NEW XBOX FULL-SCREEN UI FOR HANDHELDS Booting the device launches a redesigned Xbox full-screen interface optimized for touch and controllers. A dedicated Xbox button summons an enhanced Game Bar overlay for quick multitasking, friends chat and Gaming Copilot assistance. Armoury Crate integration lets players tweak fan curves, TDP, RGB and button mapping on the fly. GAME LIBRARY WITHOUT BORDERS From the home screen you’ll see an aggregated game library spanning Xbox, Game Pass, Battle.net and other PC storefronts. Support for Xbox Play Anywhere means a single purchase syncs saves and achievements across console, PC and handheld. Xbox Cloud Gaming and Remote Play keep your console library accessible on the go, while native Windows lets you install Steam, Epic, Discord and mod tools like on any laptop. RELEASE WINDOW, MARKETS & PRICING Both handhelds ship worldwide in “holiday 2025,” covering North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East at launch; Microsoft says pricing, pre-order dates and accessory bundles will be revealed “in the coming months”. Early buyers who are new to Game Pass will receive a complimentary trial. WHY IT MATTERS • First-party commitment: After years of streaming-stick rumors, Xbox now has branded hardware to match its services. • Windows advantage: full PC compatibility means a larger catalog than any console-first handheld. • Competitive specs: 120 Hz screen and Ryzen Z2 silicon out-spec Steam Deck and potentially rival Switch 2’s custom Nvidia chip. • Ecosystem lock-in: Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get a seamless bridge between console, cloud, PC and handheld—an incentive Sony and Nintendo can’t currently match. SEARCH-FRIENDLY TAKEAWAY Gamers searching for “Xbox handheld release date,” “ROG Xbox Ally price,” or “Xbox Game Pass handheld” now have a firm holiday 2025 target, detailed specs and confirmation that Microsoft’s portable will run your entire PC library. Bookmark this page for the moment pre-orders go live; we’ll update with official pricing the second Microsoft hits the start button.