We’re very bullish on the handheld future of gaming. But we’re not bullish on the new ROG Xbox Ally. The Verge’s Sean Hollister joins the show to explain why this Xbox-branded device barely feels like an Xbox, and why it’s definitely not a threat to the Steam Deck, before he and David debate whether the future of Xbox is even in good hands. After that, The Verge’s Hayden Field walks David through a couple of important recent studies, asking the same basic question: is AI making us dumb? Finally, Sean return ...

Core Points - ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced the launch of the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X handheld gaming consoles, with pre-orders starting on September 25, 2025, and a global launch on October 16, 2025 [3][4][9] - The ROG Xbox Ally is priced at C$799, while the ROG Xbox Ally X is priced at C$1,299, targeting different segments of gamers from casual to high-performance [4][6][14] - Both devices feature significant performance improvements over their predecessors, with the ROG Xbox Ally X offering up to 30% performance increase in certain games and up to twice the battery life compared to the previous generation [12][24] Product Features - The ROG Xbox Ally X is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, while the ROG Xbox Ally uses the AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor, both designed for enhanced gaming experiences and energy efficiency [7][11] - Both handhelds provide a full-screen experience, ergonomic design, and access to a wide gaming library, combining the best aspects of console and PC gaming [4][9][13] - The ROG Xbox Ally X features a 7" FHD display with a 120Hz refresh rate and advanced graphics capabilities, while the ROG Xbox Ally has similar display specifications but with slightly lower memory and storage [17][19] Availability and Promotions - Pre-orders are available in multiple regions including Canada, the United States, and several European and Asian countries, with specific retailers listed for each device [6][21][22] - A promotional offer in Canada includes a complimentary ROG OMNI figurine for the first 150 customers who pre-order the ROG Xbox Ally X [10][23]

Core Points - ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced a new series of handheld gaming devices, the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X, developed in partnership with Xbox, focusing on ergonomics and user experience [3][4] - The devices feature advanced processors, with the ROG Xbox Ally using the AMD Ryzen™ Z2 A Processor and the ROG Xbox Ally X utilizing the AMD Ryzen™ AI Z2 Extreme Processor, aimed at delivering high performance for gaming [4][9] - Both handhelds will launch in holiday 2025 across select markets, with plans for broader availability [4][13] Design and Comfort - The ROG Xbox Ally series boasts a completely redesigned chassis for improved comfort, inspired by Xbox controllers, ensuring a better grip and gaming experience [5][7] - The ROG Xbox Ally X includes impulse triggers for enhanced haptic feedback, providing a more immersive gaming experience [6][7] Software Experience - The new Xbox software integrated into the handhelds aims to create a seamless gaming experience, combining Xbox and Windows PC gaming capabilities [8] - Players will have immediate access to a full-screen Xbox experience upon powering on the device, with optimized software for easy navigation and access to settings [8] Performance and Efficiency - The ROG Xbox Ally X is designed for next-gen gaming performance, leveraging the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor and software optimizations for AAA games [9][10] - Both devices feature improved battery life due to their efficient designs, with the ROG Xbox Ally having a 60Wh battery and the ROG Xbox Ally X featuring an 80Wh battery [10][17] Specifications - ROG Xbox Ally X specifications include a 7" FHD display, 24GB LPDDR5X memory, and 1TB SSD storage [15][16] - ROG Xbox Ally specifications include a 7" FHD display, 16GB LPDDR5X memory, and 512GB SSD storage [17]