The ROG Xbox Ally is cheaper than the Steam deck OLED in a last-minute deal, and I'm laughing at the timing

ROG Xbox Ally X with blurred Game Pass library artwork panels in backdrop.

(Image credit: Future)

In a move that feels almost too good to be a coincidence, the white ROG Xbox Ally X has dropped under $500. The discount means Microsoft and Asus' fresh best gaming handheld contender is cheaper than the Steam Deck OLED, which happens to now be Valve's cheapest model.

At Best Buy, you can grab the ROG Xbox Ally for $489.99 in what the retailer is calling a "last-minute deal". That's likely because you'll be able to knock $110 off its $599.99 MSRP and get it to your door in time for Christmas Eve, although the latter is only if you grab it right this second (no pressure).

I'd be surprised if anyone's buying an expensive handheld for someone who hasn't already done so three days before the big man himself swings down your chimney, but hey, it could be a good self-present for those of you on the naughty list. I'm going to personally accept the discount as an apology gift after the Asus ROG Ally got discontinued, as this is the sort of price I'd pay for the 2023 model.

Photo of the new Xbox handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally X — (Image credit: Xbox)

I don't like the Christmas rush, but time is of the essence, so let me lay out the pros and cons of this sub-$500 handheld. It's worth stressing that this isn't the black ROG Xbox Ally X I reviewed back in October, as while both devices feature the same ergonomic controller-inspired grips at the back, a 7-inch 1080p 120Hz display, and Windows 11 with an Xbox Full Screen Experience console interface, the white model is packing less of a punch.

Specifically, it's armed with an AMD Ryzen Z2 A chipset, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Those specs aren't bad, so to speak, but they are largely the same as the OG ROG Ally. In fact, the APU actually boosts fps to the same level as a Steam Deck, not quite hitting the same frame rates natively as other older Ryzen Z1 Extreme handhelds.

In contrast, the $1,000 Xbox Ally X boasts 24GB RAM, 1TB storage, and a Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU. It's basically one of the punchiest handhelds on the market right now, and it stands a better chance of hitting 60fps in the latest releases at 1080p. That's not to say you will even hit that golden performance figure even when using a device that costs a grand, and if you're not that ambitious with wanting to run new games, the white version might serve you perfectly fine.

Hands holding ROG Xbox Ally X with Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay on screen. — (Image credit: Phil Hayton)

Ideally, I'd be currently talking about the OG Asus ROG Ally dropping to under $400, but given that $600 will become a bare minimum for handheld rigs in 2026, I'm not grumbling at this Xbox Ally deal. Hopefully, this drop kickstarts a trend of recurring discounts that mean you can get into portable PC gaming for closer to the price of a Nintendo Switch 2, which in turn will help players access all the same storefronts as a desktop system.

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Phil is the Hardware Editor at GamesRadar+ who specializes in retro console setups, choosing the latest gaming handhelds, and navigating the choppy seas of using modern-day PC hardware. In the past, they have covered everything from retro gaming history to the latest gaming news, in-depth features, and tech advice for publications like TechRadar, The Daily Star, the BBC, PCGamesN, and Den of Geek. In their spare time, they pour hours into fixing old consoles, modding Game Boys, exploring ways to get the most out of the Steam Deck, and blasting old CRT TV visuals into their eye sockets.

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