Xbox handheld pre-orders to begin in just a few weeks time, new rumor suggests

Pre-orders for the new Xbox handheld will reportedly go live in just a few weeks time. That's according to a new rumor which suggests that both Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds will go on sale for pre-orders on Wednesday, August 20.

What we know about the Xbox Ally X so far points to it being a particularly powerful handheld, one that will likely compete with our best gaming handheld picks from our buying guide. Along with the entry-level Xbox Ally, Microsoft and Asus are giving us two serious Steam Deck rivals with a much-improved Windows 11 interface and the potential to shake up the market entirely.

Microsoft has already confirmed that both the entry-level ROG Xbox Ally and premium ROG Xbox Ally X handhelds will be shown off at the Gamescom 2025 trade fair between August 20 and 24. However, Dealabs Magazine, a typically reputable source for gaming rumors, reports that pre-orders for both handhelds will also launch on August 20.

The date also coincides with a live broadcast by the Xbox team, scheduled at 6am PT / 9am ET directly from Gamescom, with a segment focusing on the handhelds. Dealabs speculates that this live broadcast could be the "perfect opportunity" for Microsoft to confirm the price and release date for both devices.

Rumors about Xbox handheld pricing have been a tough pill to swallow so far. Unfortunately, Dealabs reports that the rumored pricing is likely to be accurate based on its own investigations, with the Xbox Ally costing €599 (approx. $691) and the Xbox Ally X costing €899 (approx. $1,037).

A pre-order date for August points to a release date not long afterwards, most likely in late September or early October. However, it is unconfirmed, and even if this rumor is accurate, subject to change, so take it with a grain of salt for now.

Either way, our anticipation for Gamescom is now dialed up even further, and we'll be keen to see what Microsoft has to say about these new Xbox handhelds on August 20. Until then, make sure to check out our Asus ROG Ally X review to see how well Asus' current flagship handheld performs for gamers.

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