Asus has officially opened pre-orders for a standalone version of its Xbox Ally X20 handheld, priced at $1,300. The device is available directly from Asus’s online store and at Best Buy, with shipments scheduled to begin October 15th. This follows the company’s earlier announcement that it would no longer require customers to purchase the handheld as part of a bundle with expensive AR glasses. The standalone price is $300 more than the original $1,000 Xbox Ally X, which remains on sale alongside the $600 Xbox Ally.
The Xbox Ally X20 is a special 20th-anniversary edition of the ROG line, featuring a translucent shell with gold trim. Asus spokesperson Don Nguyen confirmed that the unit being sold is the same hardware that was previously previewed at the company’s US offices. Beyond the visual design, the key upgrade is a new 7.4-inch 1080p OLED screen, which the company’s preview described as the clearest, fastest, and brightest display yet on a handheld. Other notable features include redesigned grips for comfort and a D-pad that can switch between four-way and eight-way input modes.
The handheld also omits a dedicated Xbox “Library” button, which the preview noted could unintentionally pull players out of their games. While the screen and ergonomics are highlighted as strengths, the preview cautioned that hands-on impressions do not always match final review results. It pointed to the rival MSI Claw EX as an example, where issues surfaced only after full testing. The author of the preview recommended waiting for independent reviews before committing to a purchase.
Asus is also offering a more expensive bundle for buyers with a larger budget, priced at $2,500. That package includes the $1,300 Xbox Ally X20, a pair of matching 240Hz ROG XREAL X1 AR glasses normally sold for $849, a Dbrand Killswitch protective case with a screen cover, stick toppers, and a kickstand, plus a branded Pelican carrying case. The bundle was previously the only way to obtain the handheld, but it is now optional.
The Xbox Ally X20 will not be the most powerful handheld on the market, according to the source. That title currently belongs to devices using Strix Halo chips, such as the upcoming GPD Win Max 3, which is priced at $1,750. It also will not be the most powerful portable option, which is the MSI Claw EX, and it is not the most affordable handheld available. However, the preview suggested it may be the most polished and comfortable Windows-based handheld to use, a claim that will be tested when the device ships this fall. Asus representative Anthony Spence confirmed that the older Xbox Ally models will continue to be sold alongside the new X20. US consumers can pre-order now, with the first units expected to arrive in mid-October.
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