The Asus ROG Xbox Ally is getting cheaper while its competitors raise prices, making it the smartest handheld gaming PC purchase right now. As of this week, the base model has dropped to £402.50 in the UK—a 20% discount that undercuts the Steam Deck at nearly every price point. Meanwhile, competitors are moving in the opposite direction. This pricing gap, combined with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally’s superior hardware and Windows 11 flexibility, creates a rare opportunity for handheld gamers.
Key Takeaways
- Asus ROG Xbox Ally base model now £402.50, undercutting Steam Deck competitors significantly
- Powered by AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB SSD storage
- 7-inch FHD display with 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium eliminates screen tearing
- Runs full Windows 11 Home, allowing installation of any PC games, not just Xbox titles
- Premium 1TB variant available from £799.00 for users needing extra storage
Why the Asus ROG Xbox Ally is winning the price war
The pricing math here is brutal for Steam Deck. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally base model sits at £402.50, while Steam Deck alternatives occupy a narrower, more expensive band. This isn’t a temporary flash sale—it’s a strategic repositioning by Asus that reflects genuine manufacturing confidence and market pressure. The company designed the Asus ROG Xbox Ally in collaboration with Xbox, meaning it carries console-grade engineering without console-grade markup. That partnership also unlocks ecosystem advantages: Game Pass integration, Xbox controller compatibility, and access to the entire Xbox PC library without additional subscription friction.
What makes this move remarkable is the timing. As other handheld makers raise prices to protect margins against inflation and component costs, Asus is dropping the Asus ROG Xbox Ally into the sweet spot where price-conscious gamers actually live. The device is now among the 100 most popular products in the portable game consoles category, suggesting this pricing strategy is working.
Hardware that justifies the Asus ROG Xbox Ally’s price
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally doesn’t win on price alone. The AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor handles demanding modern titles smoothly, paired with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM for faster load times and multitasking. The 512GB SSD provides quick performance without the storage limitations of previous-generation handhelds. But the real standout is the 7-inch FHD display with 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium. That combination eliminates screen tearing and delivers vivid visuals at a frame rate most competitors can’t match at this price.
The ergonomic design matters too. Asus equipped the Asus ROG Xbox Ally with textured grips and responsive controls that feel like a console, not a compromised portable device. This is handheld gaming that doesn’t ask you to sacrifice comfort for portability. For users who spend hours in these devices, that difference compounds into genuine fatigue reduction.
Windows 11 Home changes everything
Here’s the advantage that separates the Asus ROG Xbox Ally from locked-down competitors: it runs full Windows 11 Home. That means you install any PC game, any mod, any indie title, any classic from GOG or Steam. You’re not confined to a curated storefront or a single publisher’s library. Want to run emulators? Install them. Want to use Discord, OBS, or Blender? Go ahead. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally is a PC first, a gaming device second. This flexibility is why it appeals to tinkerers and power users who find other handhelds frustratingly restrictive.
That openness also future-proofs the device. As new games launch and new software emerges, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally adapts. Locked ecosystems age poorly. Open platforms age gracefully.
Bundle options add real value
Asus isn’t just dropping the price—it’s bundling aggressively. The EE bundle includes the device, a £50 GameCard (redeem any game), a 24-month Gamer’s Data Pass (play games without mobile data), and a 24-month Video Data Pass (watch videos without mobile data). For UK buyers, this bundle removes friction around getting started. You’re not buying a device and then hunting for content. The bundle hands you content and connectivity immediately.
For users who want even more storage, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X 1TB variant starts at £799.00. That’s a premium over the base model, but it addresses the one legitimate criticism of the 512GB version: storage fills fast with modern AAA titles. The 1TB option keeps you gaming longer before you’re juggling uninstalls.
How the Asus ROG Xbox Ally compares to Steam Deck
The Steam Deck remains a capable device, but the Asus ROG Xbox Ally is the better buy in 2025. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally’s 120Hz display versus Steam Deck’s 90Hz is a tangible smoothness advantage. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally’s Windows 11 versus Steam Deck’s SteamOS is a flexibility advantage. And the Asus ROG Xbox Ally’s current pricing versus Steam Deck’s static pricing is an economics advantage. Valve’s device still has a larger community and more software polish, but neither of those advantages justify the price premium anymore.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally also integrates directly with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox services, which matters if you’re already in the Microsoft ecosystem. If you subscribe to Game Pass, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally becomes a portable Game Pass machine—something Steam Deck can’t claim as naturally.
Is the Asus ROG Xbox Ally worth buying right now?
Yes. The combination of aggressive pricing, strong hardware, and Windows 11 flexibility makes the Asus ROG Xbox Ally the best handheld gaming PC for most buyers in 2025. If you’re a casual gamer, the £402.50 base model delivers everything you need. If you’re a power user who wants storage and performance headroom, the 1TB variant at £799.00 is still competitive. The only reason not to buy is if you’re deeply committed to the Steam Deck’s software ecosystem or if you specifically need a Linux-based handheld. For everyone else, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally is the rational choice.
What’s included in the Asus ROG Xbox Ally EE bundle?
The EE bundle includes the Asus ROG Xbox Ally device, a £50 GameCard (redeemable for any game), 24 months of Gamer’s Data Pass (play games without using mobile data), and 24 months of Video Data Pass (watch videos without using mobile data). It’s designed to get you gaming immediately without worrying about data limits.
How much storage does the Asus ROG Xbox Ally have?
The base Asus ROG Xbox Ally includes 512GB of SSD storage. For users who need more space, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X variant offers 1TB of storage, starting at £799.00. Modern AAA titles consume 80–150GB, so the 1TB option gives you more breathing room between uninstalls.
Can you play any PC game on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally?
Yes. Because the Asus ROG Xbox Ally runs full Windows 11 Home, you can install any PC game from Steam, GOG, Epic Games Store, or anywhere else. You’re not limited to Xbox exclusives or a curated storefront. This open approach is one of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally’s biggest advantages over more restricted competitors.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally represents a rare moment in handheld gaming: a device with genuinely competitive hardware, an open software platform, and aggressive pricing all aligned at once. If you’ve been waiting for the right time to buy a portable gaming PC, this is it.
Where to Buy
Amazon for only £396.50. | ASUS ROG Xbox Ally:
This article was written with AI assistance and editorially reviewed.
Source: Windows Central
