Which ROG Xbox Ally to give the gamer in your life this holiday

If you’re holiday shopping for your favorite gamer and want a surefire win, there’s never been an easier solution: the ROG Xbox Ally. This portable, powerful gaming handheld plays plenty of today’s blockbuster and indie titles — from Fortnite and Call of Duty to Hollow Knight — and can be taken just about anywhere. It’s the ultimate one-stop-shop solution for satisfying any gamer’s wants this holiday season.

What is the ROG Xbox Ally and which model should you get?

The ROG Xbox Ally is a handheld gaming device powered by Windows and Xbox. In essence, it’s a gaming PC you can hold in your hands. It features contoured hand grips and buttons that feel just like an Xbox controller, so gamers feel right at home. It’s lightweight, sports robust battery life, and can go anywhere, easily fitting inside a backpack or small bag.

When gamers turn on the handheld, they’re greeted by an intuitive full-screen Xbox user interface that gets them to their games without fuss. The ROG Xbox Ally makes it easy for anyone to hop in and play, whether they’re familiar with consoles, PCs, other handhelds, or are brand-new to mainstream gaming devices. Their saved games can even sync their progress between the handheld and their Xbox or PC.

There are two models of ROG Xbox Ally: the ROG Xbox Ally or the ROG Xbox Ally X. Both models feature the same user-friendly designs and software experience, but differ in performance, price, and a few small bells and whistles.

The ROG Xbox Ally comes in a striking white colorway and is our most accessible, affordable model. It packs the power needed to play most modern games with performance similar to a console. It’s an optimal option for gamers who want a straightforward, convenient way to play the latest titles and bring their game library wherever they go.

The all-black ROG Xbox Ally X is our premium offering, serving as a perfect gift for hardcore gamers. This souped-up model packs additional horsepower and can play just about anything you throw at it, with higher-fidelity graphics and smoother performance. The ROG Xbox Ally X also fits a hefty library of games thanks to its expansive storage. Additionally, it packs enhanced connectivity, allowing users to turn the handheld into the heart of a gaming PC setup if they want. This powerhouse handheld is built to please tech enthusiasts and gamers who yearn for cutting-edge gaming gadgetry.

That’s a snapshot overview of the differences between the two ROG Xbox Ally handhelds. If you’d like to learn more about what makes each system unique, check out our in-depth explainer discussing the ROG Xbox Ally vs. ROG Xbox Ally X.

Give 90 days of free games, bundled with every ROG Xbox Ally

Every ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handheld comes with 90 days of Xbox Game Pass Premium. Game Pass is Microsoft’s gaming subscription service that grants users access to tons of today’s most popular games – think of it like Netflix for video games. The Premium tier included with both models of ROG Xbox Ally includes over 200+ titles, so they can dive in right out of the gate for no extra cost. It’s like knocking $45 off the price tag of the device, with the freedom to discover your next favorite game. You can learn more about Xbox Game Pass tier schedule here.

Game Pass features blockbuster titles like Halo Infinite, Doom Eternal, and Forza Horizon 5 as well as an ever-expanding lineup of award-winning indie games, making it an easy way to please just about any gamer out there. Your giftee will unwrap their ROG Xbox Ally, find out they have 90 days of free access to hundreds of games, and be set for months. Check out our roundup of the best Game Pass games for ROG Ally handhelds if you want to recommend starter games to your special someone.

Complete the package with the best ROG Xbox Ally accessories

While the ROG Xbox Ally is all your gamer needs to start playing, we offer a selection of accessories that expand and improve upon their setup. Grab this gear to give your gamer the richest ROG Xbox Ally experience possible.

The ROG Xbox Ally 2-in-1 Premium Case

The ROG Xbox Ally is a serious investment, so protect it with a sturdy case custom-built to keep the handheld safe. The ROG Xbox Ally 2-in-1 Premium Case is strong and water repellent, shielding the handheld from knocks and scuffs as well as liquid damage. Plus, it doubles as a stand, giving users an easy way to prop up their ROG Xbox Ally when watching videos or movies.

The case also comes with slots for SD cards and a detachable pouch for the handheld’s charger, allowing users to conveniently carry all essentials with them wherever they go.

The ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova earbuds

If you’re shopping for a gamer who’s going to travel a lot with their Ally, they’ll need earbuds to stay immersed while playing on a plane, train, or bus. That’s where the ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova earbuds come in. Typical Bluetooth earbuds don’t work well for gaming because they introduce too much latency – a uncoupling of the image and audio that’s undesirable for fast-paced games. The ROG Cetra are a convenient, travel-sized audio solution that comes with zero latency thanks to their 2.4GHz connectivity, plus they sport a hefty battery life of up to 46 hours. Of course, they still contain Bluetooth functionality for pairing with other devices — useful if your giftee is likely to alternate between using their smartphone and ROG Xbox Ally for on-the-go gaming.

If that weren’t enough, the active noise cancelation is perfect for airplanes and loud coffee shops, while the buds’ high-quality audio renders them superior to average wireless earbuds. Plus, their bone-conduction AI microphones ensure your gamer can chat with friends in-game and be heard with crystal clarity. They’re the ultimate gaming earbuds that can fit in any bag for travel.

The Sandisk microSD card for ROG Xbox Ally handhelds

Modern games often have huge download sizes. Certain titles occupy hundreds of gigabytes of storage all by themselves. So if you’re shopping for a gamer who likes the biggest AAA blockbuster titles, know that your giftee may need some extra storage for their library. That’s where the Sandisk microSD card for ROG Xbox Ally handhelds comes in. Offering up to 2TB of additional storage, this card enables your gamer to fit even more games on their ROG Xbox Ally or Ally X. They won’t have to worry about uninstalling games to make space for new ones.

Accessories such as an SD card, earbuds, and a protective case are great core companions for the ROG Xbox Ally. But we also offer bolder accoutrements in the event you’re shopping for a truly tech-savvy gamer and want to wow them with premium gadgets that’ll supercharge their ROG Xbox Ally experience. Explore the links below to purchase all the above products or check out your local retailers for ROG and Xbox products.

Model	Type	Where to Buy (US)	Where to Buy (CA)
ROG Xbox Ally	Handheld PC	ASUS Microsoft Best Buy	ASUS Microsoft Best Buy
ROG Xbox Ally X	Handheld PC	ASUS Microsoft Best Buy	ASUS Microsoft Best Buy
ROG Ally X	Handheld PC	ASUS Best Buy	ASUS Best Buy
ROG Ally (Ryzen Z1 Extreme)	Handheld PC	ASUS Best Buy	ASUS Best Buy Newegg Amazon
ROG Xbox Ally 2-in-1 Premium Case	Case	ASUS Amazon Best Buy	ASUS Amazon Best Buy
ROG Cetra True Wireless SpeedNova earbuds	Earbuds	ASUS Amazon	Amazon Best Buy
Sandisk microSD card for ROG Xbox Ally	SD card	Sandisk	Sandisk