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The Xbox-branded handheld reported in March 2025 became the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally family, which launched on October 16, 2025. Microsoft has also confirmed its next-generation console is Project Helix and said developer alpha hardware is planned to begin shipping in 2027. That is not a confirmed retail launch date: AMD has described 2027 as a launch target, while Microsoft has not announced when consumers can buy Project Helix.
What happened to the reported Xbox handheld?
In March 2025, Windows Central reported that Microsoft was preparing an Xbox-branded handheld with an OEM partner. The report referred to the device by the codename “Kennan” (correcting an earlier “Keenan”) and described a Windows-based handheld with Xbox controls. Microsoft later announced the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X with ASUS, and both models launched on October 16, 2025.
That makes the handheld portion of the report substantially accurate, but the product is an ASUS-Microsoft handheld PC rather than a conventional Xbox living-room console. The original report also described plans, not a guaranteed release schedule; the eventual product name and launch date came from the later announcement.
What are the ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X?
The ROG Xbox Ally models combine Windows PC gaming with an Xbox-branded interface and controls. The main difference is the hardware tier: the Ally X has a more powerful processor tier, more memory and storage, and a larger battery. The specifications below are the published model figures; they do not establish a particular frame rate or graphics setting for every game.
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#1 Best Overall
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
| Specification | ROG Xbox Ally | ROG Xbox Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 A | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
| Memory | 16GB | 24GB |
| SSD storage | 512GB | 1TB |
| Battery capacity | 60Wh | 80Wh |
| Display | 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz | 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz |
| Weight | Not stated in the cited Microsoft and ASUS announcement details | Not stated in the cited Microsoft and ASUS announcement details |
| Price | Not stated in the cited Microsoft and ASUS announcement details | Not stated in the cited Microsoft and ASUS announcement details |
| Expected game settings | No universal setting or performance level is stated; results depend on the game and its configuration | No universal setting or performance level is stated; results depend on the game and its configuration |
The Ally X’s higher-tier components and larger battery distinguish it on paper, but those specifications alone cannot predict how long either model will last in a particular game or what settings it will sustain. Actual results vary with the title, graphics settings, power mode and other conditions.
Can the Xbox Ally play Game Pass and PC games?
Yes, it is a Windows-based PC handheld, so it can run compatible PC games and supported games available through Xbox services, including PC Game Pass. That does not mean every title in the Xbox or Game Pass catalog is playable locally on the device: availability and compatibility depend on the game and the service or PC version involved.
Rank #2
- 【All-in-One Handheld】 The ultimate portable console in your hands. Enjoy retro games, remote play, cloud gaming, and Android titles on a lightweight handheld with responsive controls and a stunning 7” display. More than just a game console — it's a powerful all-in-one entertainment device.
- 【Cloud Gaming + Remote Play】 Cloud Gaming – Instantly play AAA titles over Wi-Fi with subscriptions to Xbox Cloud Gaming (Beta), GeForce NOW, Amazon Luna, PlayStation Plus Premium, and Boosteroid. Remote Play – Stream games locally from your own devices using Moonlight, PlayStation Remote Play, Steam Link or PXPlay.【Need buyer's subscriptions to Xbox or PlayStation.】
- 【Emulator Retro Games + Android Games】 Emulation – Enjoy retro classics with enhanced compatibility and smoother performance on PS2, GameCube, and other popular systems. Android Games – Run most local games with ease, offering more ways to play on a larger screen with console-style controls."
- 【Capacitor Digital Joystick + Switchable Modes】 abxylute One Pro is the first handheld to feature cutting-edge digital joysticks—taller, larger, and more advanced, with an extended input range. Switch between Circle Mode for ultra-precise 0.2% tracking, or Square Mode for broader input—tailored to different play styles."
- 【4K Video Output + Dual Speakers】 Connect to an external display or AR glasses for up to 4K gaming with full controller support, or enjoy immersive gameplay on the built-in 1080P 7” display—perfect for couch play or gaming on the go. Upgraded audio drivers deliver deeper, clearer vocals, and rich, immersive sound in every in-game moment."
Xbox Play Anywhere offers another cross-device link for supported titles. Microsoft said the program covered more than 1,000 games in its August 2025 Ally announcement. In a 2026 update, Microsoft put the catalog at more than 1,500 games and said 500 development teams had shipped games with Play Anywhere. For an eligible purchase, Play Anywhere carries the game, progress and achievements between supported Xbox, PC and handheld devices. Those benefits apply to supported games, not automatically to every game a player owns.
What is Project Helix?
Project Helix is Microsoft’s official name for its next-generation first-party Xbox console. Xbox VP Jason Ronald said the team is “deep in development” on the system and described it as powered by a custom AMD SoC, co-designed for the next generation of DirectX and FSR. Microsoft has also described the platform as intended to play both Xbox and PC games and to support backward compatibility.
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Rank #3
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 1TB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Those statements confirm the project’s direction, not final consumer hardware specifications. Microsoft has not announced a retail configuration, consumer price or public release date. The compatibility description is a platform-level commitment; it does not specify which PC storefronts, games or older Xbox titles will work, or the exact conditions for compatibility.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does Project Helix launch in 2027?
There are two distinct 2027 statements, and neither is a firm consumer release-date announcement. Microsoft says it plans to ship alpha versions of Project Helix hardware to developers beginning in 2027. That is a development milestone: it indicates when selected developers are expected to start working with early hardware, not when retail consoles will be available.
Rank #4
- 🚀 AMD RYZEN AI Z2 EXTREME PERFORMANCE: Powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme 8-core, 16-thread processor (up to 5.0GHz max turbo) with AMD Radeon Graphics and 24MB smart cache, delivering ultra-smooth performance for AAA gaming, AI workloads, and multitasking.(Japan Version. It can be used in the United States with the included plug adapter, and the system language can be switched to English for normal use.)
- 💾 24GB LPDDR5X RAM & 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD: Equipped with 24GB high-speed LPDDR5X onboard memory and a 1TB M.2 2280 PCIe 4.0 x4 NVMe SSD for lightning-fast boot times, quick game loading, and seamless multitasking across demanding applications.
- 🖥️ 7” FHD 120HZ TOUCHSCREEN DISPLAY: Experience crisp visuals on a 7-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS-level touchscreen with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, responsive touch control, and vivid color reproduction for immersive gameplay.
- ❄️ ERGONOMIC DESIGN & INTELLIGENT COOLING: Designed for comfort during extended gaming sessions, featuring ergonomic grips and ROG’s advanced intelligent cooling system to maintain consistent performance under heavy workloads.
- 🎮 WINDOWS 11 WITH XBOX & PC GAME ECOSYSTEM: Runs on Windows 11, providing full compatibility with Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other PC platforms—offering a true hybrid experience that blends console-style gaming with PC flexibility.
Separately, AMD CEO Lisa Su was quoted in Tom’s Hardware’s report on AMD’s fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call as saying development of Microsoft’s next Xbox with an AMD semi-custom SoC was progressing well “to support a launch in 2027.” This supports a 2027 target, but its wording is qualified and does not override Microsoft’s lack of a confirmed consumer launch date. The retail timing could differ from the target.
What the 2027 report means now
The March 2025 headline bundled two predictions that now have different levels of certainty: the partner handheld became a named, released product, while the console successor is an active project with a developer-hardware milestone and a qualified launch target. Microsoft’s 2026 update also said more than 5,000 developers were building for Xbox, but that figure does not establish a Project Helix release schedule.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
