The ROG Xbox Ally series from Asus and Microsoft is now available in Canada. The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X can be purchased from select retailers, starting at $799.
The ROG Xbox Ally is the latest model in Asus’ PC gaming handheld catalogue. This year, the company has partnered with Microsoft to iterate on its handheld, designing the ROG Xbox Ally to replicate a more console-like experience for players.
The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X incorporate the new Xbox Game Bar UI, an overlay that unifies the Xbox app with other launchers like Steam, Epic Games, Ubisoft Connect, etc. Microsoft’s involvement and delivery of the Xbox Game Bar make it easier to find available games to play within your library and Xbox Game Pass, boot them up, and more. All of this is accessible via the new Xbox button on the device.
The ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally both feature new handheld grips, mimicking the feeling of using an Xbox Wireless Controller. The grips feature an ergonomic design that feels comfortable over time, allowing for longer play sessions.
Asus’ ROG Xbox Ally is the entry-level model, sporting the AMD Ryzen Z2 A chip. This model starts at $799 and comes with a 7-inch 1080p display, supporting 120Hz. The higher-end ROG Xbox Ally X features the same display and up to 1TB of SSD storage. However, it features AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme chipset, making it the company’s most powerful handheld. This model is available for $1,299 in Canada.
In my hands-on review of the ROG Xbox Ally X, I praised the device for taking one step further in delivering the vision of Xbox’s ‘Play Anywhere’ model. Carrying over progress from select games on my ROG Xbox Ally X, the device complements the Xbox ecosystem quite nicely. The handheld is punchy, powerful, and comfortable to use. The only drawback is the onboarding process, as while the Xbox Game Bar does a lot of heavy lifting in streamlining the user experience, updates and navigating the underlying software can be overwhelming for some users.
Canadians can purchase the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X from Amazon.ca and Best Buy in Canada, as just some of the retailers where it’s available.
Xbox and Asus also confirm the devices will become available later at launch at Costco, MDG, the Microsoft Store, Newegg and Visions.
Want to see more of our stories on Google?
P.S. Want to keep this site truly independent? Support us by buying us a beer, treating us to a coffee, or shopping through Amazon here. Links in this post are affiliate links, so we earn a tiny commission at no charge to you. Thanks for supporting independent Canadian media!
