Xbox Ally hits record price and reignites debate over Z2 chip

Xbox Ally drops to $539.99 at Best Buy, the lowest price ever seen, but the Ryzen Z2 lags behind the Z1 Extreme, shifting the competition with the Steam Deck OLED.

Record price and what is at stake

The ROG Xbox Ally has dropped to $539.99 at Best Buy, the lowest price ever seen for a new model. The $60 drop from the $599.99 retail price puts the white model in direct evaluation with the Steam Deck OLED in terms of value.

The chip problem: Z2 vs Z1 Extreme

The standard Xbox Ally uses the Ryzen Z2, with 4 cores and 8 threads, boosting up to 4.3 GHz. In contrast, the Z1 Extreme, found in the original ROG Ally model, brings 8 cores, 16 threads, and a boost of up to 5.1 GHz. This difference is reflected in demanding games: in titles like Cyberpunk 2077, the Z1 Extreme maintains a frame rate advantage, while the Z2 remains closer to the performance of the Steam Deck.

The Legion Go S, which also uses the Z2, showed only a modest advantage over the Steam Deck OLED in tests, summarizing where this chip stands in the rankings.

What you get for the price

The specifications remain close to the original ROG Ally model: 7-inch, 1080p display at 120 Hz, 16 GB of RAM, and 512 GB of storage. The design includes grips that make long sessions more comfortable, and the kit also includes 3 months of Xbox Game Pass.

• 7" 1080p display, 120 Hz
• 16 GB of RAM
• 512 GB of storage
• Controller-style grips
• 3 months of Xbox Game Pass included

Where the Z2 shines and where it falls short

The Z2 can offer better energy efficiency in lighter settings, helping to manage battery life in older independent games. For those who want modern games, the Steam Deck still holds the advantage due to the software experience and the availability of on-demand pricing options.

Current market and what to expect

With the Steam Deck out of stock and the Z1 Extreme-powered ROG Ally discontinued, new options usually reach nearly $1,000. In this context, the Xbox Ally at $539.99 not only competes but positions itself as a viable option within this price range.

The limitations of the Z2 do not go away, but they influence the decision for those who need something readily available. Models with the Z2 Extreme deliver superior performance, but at a price near double.

If you like, it is worth checking out recent reviews of the handheld universe and Windows tuning guides that can reduce the performance gap as the market evolves.

What is your take: would you buy the Xbox Ally at this price, or would you rather wait for Z1 Extreme options? Leave your decision in the comments.

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