Two Months Later: What’s New with Xbox Ally
Two months after I began testing Microsoft’s handheld Xbox, I’m still unsure about its immediate value, especially for casual gamers. The base device remains a mixed bag: capable hardware, a few clever features, and a software experience that feels like it’s trying to find its legs. The big question I still hear from readers is simple: should you buy the Xbox Ally? The short answer is: it depends on your expectations and your library of games.
Why the Xbox Ally Isn’t a Perfect Replacement Yet
My initial take was cautious. The £600 (or equivalent) white model offered a premium feel, yet it wasn’t future-proof in the ways I expected. The “Full Screen Experience” (FSE), the handheld’s attempt to deliver console-like visuals in a compact form, still has rough edges. FSE can feel textural and occasionally jagged, with frame pacing that doesn’t always match the fluidity you want in fast-paced action titles or racing sims. The experience varies by title, which makes a one-size-fits-all verdict difficult.
Hardware performance remains solid for a handheld. Thanks to a capable display, paddled analog controls, and reasonably airy battery life, it’s easy to spend a few hours exploring cloud or local games. But performance gaps show up in a few stubborn areas—the FSE’s scaling can blur textures, and some UI transitions lag behind the fast rhythm of recent releases. In short: you’ll get a satisfying session most of the time, but the device isn’t immune to the rough edges that plague early-adopter hardware.
The Tweaked Windows Experience: A Mixed Bag
One of the bigger talking points around the Ally is the tweaked Windows version that powers it. It’s not a complete rewrite, but it does attempt to optimize for portable use. In practice, this means better app switching, compatible cloud saves, and an interface that’s more forgiving in a handheld context. The trade-off is that some traditional desktop expectations—like windowed multitasking and nuanced keyboard/mouse workflows—feel out of place or oddly constrained when you’re on the go.
There’s a clear attempt to streamline the ecosystem so you can go from a console-like home setup to handheld play without thinking about platform boundaries. For some, that’s a major win. For others, it’s a reminder that Windows-on-a-handheld still isn’t “primetime” ready, especially for gamers who rely on off-platform downloads or titles that don’t translate cleanly to the FSE.
Game Library, Performance, and Practicality
The Xbox Ally’s value proposition hinges not just on hardware, but on library access. The device makes a reasonable case for cloud gaming, remote play, and local installs. The practical reality is that you’ll want a strong network or a large local cache to minimize stutters and waiting times. I’ve noticed a few titles that excel in this format, while others suffer from input latency quirks or inconsistent frame delivery. If you already own several Game Pass titles or have a robust library, the Ally can feel like a portable extension of your living room setup.
Battery Life and Daily Use
Battery life trades a portion of its promise for portable convenience. Expect a few hours of casual gaming on a full charge, with performance and brightness settings nudging that estimate up or down. For longer sessions, you’ll appreciate the ability to dock the device or lean on a reliable charging rhythm. In real-world use, the Ally is most compelling during quick 30-to-60 minute sessions rather than marathon gaming marathons.
Bottom Line: Is the Xbox Ally Worth It?
If you crave a premium handheld that can slot into an existing Xbox ecosystem without fuss, the Ally checks several boxes. It’s not a flawless device—particularly in its Full Screen Experience and Windows tweaks—but it’s a thoughtful step toward true portability for Xbox players. The price is high enough to demand careful consideration; you’ll want to weigh how often you’ll capably use the handheld in place of a console or PC, and whether your game library justifies a portable upgrade.
For now, the Ally feels like a work in progress with a clear direction: bring console-like experiences to the palm of your hand while preserving ecosystem continuity. If that aligns with your priorities, the device remains a compelling, though imperfect, option.
