Reading the replies to ASUS’s tweet was already enough for me to make a decision not to comment, but somewhere a user called it the ROG Xbox Ally X, which somehow sounds like the name is worse, and another part said that it “puts your Xbox in the palm of your hands” because of Remote Play. Hold on, is it an Xbox? Is it a stream from your console? The answer is yes. and the community isn’t happy about it.
The tweet “stream your console library to your handheld and enjoy true Xbox power,” the tweet tries to explain the device, but the replies are full of confusion and roasting. Its as if no one understands the true use, Supporter @ThatGenericEric says “So it’s not an Xbox.” And to be fair, I think he nails it. Another user @giferisto says, “Stream to feel Xbox power? What the actual fuck? 🤣🤣🤣” which is honestly a mood.
This post above instantly reminds me of the PlayStation Portal. Everyone was instantly reminded of, like- “It’s just a screen.” This is sort of similar, except that it is a full handheld PC that can stream your Xbox. What is causing so much confusion is the branding since it has “Xbox” in the name. Everyone thinks they are purchasing a portable Xbox, but no. It’s a Windows handheld with Remote Play.
There is also the heated debate going on in the comments about what constitutes “native” play. They are ongoing with @who28621 about “Pc games are not Xbox games.” and “It’s not an Xbox because it can’t run Xbox games without streaming or the cloud.” They are not wrong in the strictest sense. But other gamers are defending it like @RauwLeMayooooo who in turn answers to “someone complaining about physical media” with “Why are you still buying physical media in 2025? It’s not like you actually own the game.” Oof.
The branding is just… not clear. Like at all. When you put “Xbox” in the name of a device, people expect it to BE an Xbox. Not something that streams an Xbox. It’s like naming “iPhone Case X” only to realise that it’s just a mirror that reflects your phone’s screen. Maybe not that extreme but you get the point.
And then comes the comparison with the standard ROG Ally. @who28621 says, “My standard ROG Ally can already stream Xbox Gamepass and the cloud. Literally, no point to get this lol.” So if you already own the older model, does it mean this new “Xbox” variant adds no new features for Xbox streaming? It is just the Xbox branding and maybe some aesthetic differences? The pricing is insane too. Someone mentioned “599 for white, 899 for black” which is steep for what is essentially a streaming device for your existing console.
Asking if it is a Switch competitor is just the tip of the iceberg that is the confusion. As LordChrome375 says, “This like all other pc handheld devices that have ever existed, is a niche product. The only ones interested are the ones online. This is not marketed towards the average family. It’s not a competitor for the Switch.” So it is designed for hardcore tech lovers who want to play Xbox on a handheld device. The marketing, however, positions it as a product for the masses.
One of the funniest parts of this is how some weirdly defensive people are getting. In this thread, @HemingwayHitch and @ymnis_v1 are just stacking laughing emojis on top of each other about a device neither of them has actually used and about streaming on it. The console war energy is strong with this one. And @ThatGenericEric telling someone to “Get a PS5” because they’re on Xbox? Classic.
The ROG Xbox Ally X, in the grand scheme of things, is just another PC handheld in an already a bit saturated market with Steam Deck, Legion Go, and with so many others entering as well. The only real differentiator is the heavy Xbox branding, which is causing all this confusion. It is not a new Xbox console. It is not a portable Xbox. It is a handheld computer that can stream games from your Xbox. Which, is cool if that’s what you want! But the name is terribly misleading.
Inferring from the title, it would have made more sense for ASUS to name it “ROG Ally X for Xbox”. But still, it doesn’t sound as catchy as that does. This situation resembles such as when companies want to take advantage of brand recognition without really clarifying the product. Hashtag consumer outrage, the gamers in the replies are definitely calling them out.
The takeaway if you are planning to buy an ROG Xbox Ally X is to know that you are paying for a Windows handheld device that can stream Xbox games, not a portable Xbox. The device’s power is entirely dependent on your home console, and there’s a chance to get a better deal using your phone with a controller clip or the standard ROG Ally. However, if you want the branded Xbox experience at that price point, you now know exactly what to expect. And that expectation is far from the marketing reality.
