Asus ROG Xbox Ally Drops to $499

Consumers looking for a handheld gaming PC can currently purchase the Asus ROG Xbox Ally for $499.99. This price is available at both Amazon and Best Buy for a limited time, offering a $100 instant discount. The deal brings the cost of the device down to match the lowest price recorded during the Black Friday sales period.

The handheld was released in October 2025 and serves as an evolution of the previous Asus ROG Ally line. It features AMD Ryzen Z2 A processing power, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. While it carries the Xbox branding, it functions as a Windows-based PC handheld optimized for the Xbox app ecosystem.

The current promotion offers a substantial savings opportunity for gamers. The $100 discount is applied instantly at checkout, reducing the price to $499.99. This pricing is consistent across both Amazon and Best Buy, two major retailers in the technology space.

According to the deal information, this price matches the best offer seen during the recent Black Friday event. The availability of the discount is described as being for a "limited time," suggesting that the price may increase once the promotional period ends.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally (non-X model) is equipped with specific hardware tailored for portable gaming. It runs on the AMD Ryzen Z2 A CPU, which is designed to handle modern gaming workloads while maintaining power efficiency.

Key specifications included in the device are:

• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 A CPU
• Memory: 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
• Storage: 512GB SSD

It is worth noting that the Ryzen Z2 A processor is comparable in performance to the APU found in the original Steam Deck. While it is not as powerful as the Ryzen Z2 Extreme found in the Xbox Ally X or the Z1 Extreme in the older ROG Ally X, it is significantly less expensive, making this model a more budget-friendly option.

Although the device carries Xbox branding, it is fundamentally a Windows PC handheld. The collaboration between Asus and Microsoft has resulted in a unique software feature called the Xbox Full Screen Experience. This feature allows the handheld to boot directly into the Xbox App, bypassing the standard Windows Explorer desktop and non-gaming background tasks.

This software integration is viewed as a significant step for Windows-based handhelds. It aims to provide a console-like interface that is easier to use than traditional desktop navigation. One reviewer described the device as a "fascinating little device" that serves as a sequel to previous Asus ROG models while fully embracing the Xbox ecosystem.

"The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is a fascinating little device. Because while it’s being sold as a sort of handheld Xbox, it’s more of a sequel to last year’s incredible Asus ROG Ally X."

The review further notes that this partnership feels like Microsoft's direct response to the popularity of SteamOS, offering a streamlined experience for users who prefer the Xbox interface.

Understanding the naming convention is vital for potential buyers. The Asus ROG Xbox Ally discussed in this deal is the standard model. It differs from the higher-end Xbox Ally X.

The primary differences lie in the processing power:

• Xbox Ally (Standard): Features the Ryzen Z2 A processor.
• Xbox Ally X: Features the more powerful Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor.

The standard model is designed to offer a solid gaming experience at a lower price point. The $499.99 price tag reflects the hardware capabilities of the Z2 A chip, which is less expensive to manufacture than the Extreme variants. This makes the current deal an attractive entry point into the handheld PC gaming market.