Discussions between Microsoft and ASUS to make the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X cheaper than $599 and $999 did not proceed, according to sources familiar with the situation. Microsoft and ASUS were reportedly discussing ways to subsidize the ROG Xbox Ally to keep prices below expectations, though those discussions bore no fruit.
Following its reveal in June 2025, the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X were touted as a premium way for Xbox gamers to play their favorite titles on the go. Both ROG Xbox Ally systems utilize an AMD Ryzen Z2 processor and have Windows 11 pre-installed as the main operating system. Ergo, apps like Steam, Battle.net, and Epic Games Store can be downloaded and installed on each handheld device. While the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X had their October 16 launch confirmed during Gamescom, the prices of both handhelds remained a mystery due to the ongoing tariff situation between the US and various nations.
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Talks To Lower The ROG Xbox Ally Prices Did Not Pan Out
While the ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X are currently priced at $599 and $999, respectively, there was reportedly a point where each price could have been lower. As reported by TheGamer and XboxEra's Jon Clarke, Microsoft and ASUS considered subsidizing the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds after previously leaked prices caused fan backlash and negative feedback. This choice led both companies not to reveal the prices of the ROG Xbox Ally lineup at Gamescom, despite sharing the October 16 launch date. Instead of subsidizing consumer costs, the prices were increased to their current $599 and $999 marks, meaning whatever choices Microsoft and ASUS had discussed never panned out.
On Twitter, Insider Gaming's Tom Henderson corroborated Clarke's initial report. The high price of the ROG Xbox Ally X in particular follows a recent trend from Microsoft. Starting October 3, the Xbox Series X/S console lineup will see its second price increase of 2025, which is due to the US government's ongoing tariffs on goods imported from countries like China, where Microsoft and ASUS conduct manufacturing business. The Xbox Series S 512GB will now start at $399, a $100 price jump from its 2020 launch price.
Despite the steep $999 price tag, pre-orders of the ROG Xbox Ally X are selling out at a quick pace as of this writing. It remains to be seen how the market will respond to the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally.
- Brand
- Xbox / ROG
- Operating System
- Windows 11 Home
- Processor
- AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor
- Display
- 7” IPS, 500 nits, 16:9, 120Hz refresh rate, FreeSync Premium, Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection
- Resolution
- FHD 1080p
- Original Release Date
- 2025