🎮 India braces for ROG Xbox Ally: Pre-orders begin October 7, launch on October 16
If you thought handheld gaming in India was limited to the Nintendo Switch or Steam Deck mods, buckle up. ASUS (in partnership with Xbox) has just dropped a bombshell: pre-orders for the ROG Xbox Ally and its beefed-up sibling, the Ally X, open in India on October 7. The official retail launch? October 16.
This is a major step. It means India is finally part of the first wave of markets getting these machines—not as an afterthought but as a front-line battleground in the handheld wars.
What we know so far: Specs, features, and what sets them apart
Here’s the rundown: what these devices bring to the table, and how they differ from each other.
Core specs & features
The standard ROG Xbox Ally is aimed at more “balance”: Ryzen Z2 A chip, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD.
The ROG Xbox Ally X is the premium beast: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, 24 GB LPDDR5X, 1 TB SSD, and a stronger battery (80 Wh vs ~60 Wh).
Both models use a 7-inch, 120 Hz display and support the “Xbox Full Screen Experience”—which means a UI intended to bring your Xbox and PC games into a unified, console-style interface.
They also come with strong I/O: microSD slot (for extra storage), USB-C ports, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4.
On the software side: Xbox’s Handheld Compatibility Program and optimizations like shader preloading are in place to make many PC and Xbox games run more smoothly (or at least more consistently) on these handhelds.
One interesting claim: ASUS says the Ally X will be about 30 % faster in certain games compared to the standard model; in contrast, they quoted ~20 % uplift for the standard over the earlier “ROG Ally” baseline in specific titles.
In short: the X is for enthusiasts who want top-tier performance, while the base version is for those who want a more reasonable tradeoff between cost and power.
What this means for Indian gamers (and the handheld market)
This launch has several dimensions worth pondering.
1. Handheld gaming gets real in India.
India’s gaming scene has often been seen as “mobile-first,” with smartphones dominating. But that’s changing. Cloud gaming, Xbox Game Pass expansion, better connectivity—all these are making high-end handhelds viable. The arrival of ROG Xbox Ally means Indian gamers don’t have to depend solely on imports or bootlegged hardware.
2. Pricing will make or break it.
Globally, the Ally is priced at USD $599.99, and the Ally X at USD $999.99. But India has high import duties, GST, and retailer margins. If ASUS plays it smart (say, with local assembly or careful pricing), the device could manage to cross the “affordable enthusiast” threshold. If not, it risks being an expensive niche product.
3. Competition is fierce.
The Steam Deck is already entrenched in the niche. Then there are the upcoming handhelds from Lenovo, AYANEO, etc. The ROG Xbox Ally must offer not just raw specs, but a smooth, usable ecosystem (game compatibility, updates, durability) to win hearts.
4. Ecosystem matters.
Because this isn’t just a console—it’s a Windows PC at heart—software matters more than hardware. If games crash, or updates are buggy, or battery performance is poor, it’ll hurt the adoption more than a 5% lag in frames.
5. Pre-order demand might be intense.
When ASUS and Xbox open preorders globally (in 38 countries) they’re trying to build hype and scarcity. Because many Indian gamers are used to delayed launches or grey imports, being able to order on Day 1 is psychologically powerful.
What to watch (and worry) between Oct 7 and Oct 16
Actual Indian pricing. That’s the $64,000 question. When preorder opens, ASUS should reveal local prices. Watch for weird rounding, “import surcharge,” or surprise taxes.
Availability & stock. If they under-ship to India, we might see scalpers or inflated secondary market prices.
First reviews. We’ll look for battery life in real games (not just benchmarks), thermal behavior, control comfort, and software polish.
Long term support. Will ASUS and Xbox push updates, bug fixes, driver stability for India?
Accessory ecosystem. Storage upgrades (SSD, microSD), cases, docks, etc. can make or break usability.