Asus says new Xbox gaming options coming to older Ally fashions

Probably the most thrilling factor in regards to the ROG Xbox Ally handheld, at the least for me, isn’t that it’s an Xbox. Nope, it’s the truth that it isn’t an Xbox, it’s a Home windows 11 PC, albeit a teeny-tiny one. And with Microsoft onboard, it’s packing a refreshed, streamlined construct of Home windows that’s all about gaming. Asus says that the up to date interface is coming to the older ROG Ally and Ally X handhelds, too.

This isn’t all that surprising — Microsoft itself confirmed that the brand new interface is coming to different Home windows-based handheld gaming PCs, beginning in 2026. However it’s good to get affirmation from producer Asus that its older designs are undoubtedly getting these enhancements. Asus consultant Whitson Gordon stated so on the Gamescom convention in Germany, chatting with PCGamer:

“Now we’re not leaving Ally and Ally X customers out within the chilly, if you have already got these gadgets. We’ll finally be bringing a few of these Xbox experiences to these gadgets … They’re not going to roll out at the very same time, however they may come to these gadgets quickly.”

Precisely which options we’re speaking about right here aren’t specificed. Since Asus software program runs a fairly intensive interface layer on high of Home windows 11 on the unique Ally and Ally X, the identical manner that SteamOS on the Steam Deck is operating on high of Linux, it looks as if it’ll be a giant undertaking to get the tweaked model of Home windows on the older {hardware}. Asus would possibly insist on retaining a few of the Armoury Crate app and comparable middleware in there.

If it have been as much as me (sweet and nuts, et cetera), I’d provide prospects a option to wipe off the unique construct, and set up Home windows 11 recent as soon as these new handheld gaming UI tweaks can be found. That’s undoubtedly a part of Microsoft’s plan, since it might probably’t be unaware that Home windows 11 is one thing of a yoke across the neck of gaming handhelds in comparison with the lightness of SteamOS on the Steam Deck. SteamOS is increasing with official choices just like the Lenovo Legion Go S, and even being supplied instead on the ROG Ally.

The ROG Xbox Ally handheld, together with its improve ROG Xbox Ally X counterpart, will go on sale on October 16. The worth has but to be introduced…in all probability as a result of the chaotically ephemeral nature of U.S. tariffs makes it of venture to set any value in stone even a few months from now.