Xbox Ally X: A Game-Changer for Handheld PC Gaming

Microsoft has officially unveiled the Xbox Ally X, its latest handheld gaming PC, created in partnership with Asus. While this device is exciting on its own, the real game-changer might be the software updates Microsoft has made to Windows 11, designed to improve its functionality on handheld devices.

These enhancements could soon make their way to other PC gaming handhelds, potentially transforming the entire category.

According to a tweet from the fan account Asus ROG Ally Life, the new “Xbox full-screen experience” will debut on the Xbox Ally X, but it’s also rumored that both the existing ROG Ally and ROG Ally X will receive updates to incorporate these features. The account also hinted that the full-screen experience might be coming to all PC gaming handhelds by 2026. Of course, this is just a rumor, so it should be taken with a grain of salt. Still, if Microsoft allows other manufacturers to implement this new Xbox app, it could solve one of the biggest complaints about Windows-based handhelds: the user experience.

If the revamped Xbox app proves to be as good as promised, it could challenge the Steam Deck’s reign as the top PC gaming handheld. That being said, we’re still months away from the Xbox Ally X’s official release, likely during the holiday season, so it could be quite a while before we see any new features appear on other devices like the Lenovo Legion Go.

The original Asus ROG Ally X, released last year, was one of the best handheld gaming PCs out there. However, Windows on a touchscreen device had its shortcomings, even though Asus’ Armoury Crate software made it easier to set up. The Xbox Ally X promises to address these issues by building on the success of its predecessor, offering a much smoother user experience, which could set the stage for major improvements in handheld PC gaming.

That said, if the rumor about the full-screen Xbox experience turns out to be true, it could signal a turning point for PC gaming. Microsoft’s approach has always been to treat any device capable of running Xbox games as part of the Xbox ecosystem, so making these updates and new software features available to other manufacturers would be a natural step. This move could help unite Xbox and PC gaming communities and elevate the entire genre of handheld gaming PCs.