PC gaming handhelds have made it possible to play the huge library of Steam games anywhere you want. These devices are not cheap, but they often go on sale. Right now, both Amazon and Best Buy are selling the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld gaming PC for just $499.99. This is a $100 discount from the regular price. This matches the lowest price ever seen during Black Friday.
Xbox Ally specifications and features
The Xbox Ally is a recently released model from October 2025. It features the new AMD Ryzen Z2 A CPU, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally model uses the newer generation Ryzen Z2 A processor. Its performance is comparable to the Steam Deck’s APU. The processor is not as powerful as the Ryzen Z2 Extreme found in the Xbox Ally X. It is also less powerful than the Z1 Extreme in the older ROG Ally X. However, it costs considerably less money than those models.
What is the Xbox Ally?
The naming might be confusing to some people. The Xbox Ally is not actually an Xbox console. It is more of an evolution of the Asus ROG Ally handheld gaming device. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is a fascinating device. It is being sold as a handheld Xbox. However, it is really more like a sequel to last year’s Asus ROG Ally X. The Xbox connection cannot be ignored though. This is the first device to launch with support for the new Xbox Full Screen Experience. This feature allows the handheld to boot straight into the Xbox App within Windows. It does not load Explorer or other non-gaming background tasks that normally load when you start Windows 11. In many ways, this partnership feels like Microsoft’s response to the rise of SteamOS. For the first time since the Steam Deck came out in 2022, Microsoft might have something that is as easy to use.
Why this deal matters
Gaming handhelds are not exactly cheap devices. Getting a $100 discount on a recently released model is a solid deal. The Xbox Ally offers good performance for its price point. It works well for people who want portable PC gaming without spending over $600. The 512GB storage is enough for several large games. The 16GB of RAM handles modern games well. The AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor delivers solid performance for most titles. You will not get the absolute best performance, but you get excellent value for the price.
Should you buy it?
This deal is worth considering if you want a portable gaming PC. The $499.99 price makes it more affordable than many competing devices. You get access to the entire Steam library plus other PC game stores. The Xbox Full Screen Experience makes it easier to use than other Windows-based handhelds. The main trade-off is performance. If you want the most powerful handheld, you need to spend more on the Xbox Ally X or ROG Ally X models. However, for casual to moderate gaming, the standard Xbox Ally performs well enough at a much better price.
