Xbox UI Expansion to ROG Handhelds and Other Windows Devices Set for Next Year

In 2025, Microsoft will enhance the gaming experience on handheld PCs with a new Xbox gaming-focused user interface. This interface will debut on ROG Ally and ROG Ally X devices, aiming to deliver a more console-like experience with a simplified and resource-efficient UI, improving both performance and battery life. This initiative is part of Microsoft's strategy to compete against Valve’s SteamOS and other Linux-based handheld systems. For more details, read the full article on PC Gamer.

A More Console-Like Experience for Handheld PCs

Microsoft has confirmed that its Xbox gaming-focused user interface (UI) will be coming to ROG Ally and ROG Ally X handhelds, along with other Windows-based handheld devices, starting in 2025. The new UI is designed to offer a streamlined, full-screen interface tailored specifically for gaming on portable Windows devices. It builds on elements from the Xbox PC app and Game Bar but aims to provide a more console-like experience.

This move signals Microsoft’s intent to compete more directly with Valve’s SteamOS and Linux-based handheld systems like the Steam Deck.

Key Features and Improvements

The upcoming Xbox UI won’t just sit on top of Windows 11—it’ll optimise the system for gaming:

  • Simplified interface: Designed to reduce distractions and focus on launching and managing games.
  • Resource-friendly: According to Xbox VP Jason Beaumont, the UI avoids loading many default Windows processes, cutting memory usage by around 2 GB.
  • Better efficiency: With fewer background processes, handhelds should benefit from improved battery life and performance.

These changes are particularly important for portable gaming, where power efficiency and system responsiveness matter more than on traditional desktops.

Rollout Timeline and Device Support

The initial rollout will target ASUS’s ROG Ally and the upcoming ROG Ally X. Microsoft plans to expand support to other Windows handhelds shortly after, though no specific models or manufacturers have been named yet.

This forms part of Microsoft’s wider effort to fine-tune Windows for gaming-first devices—a space where Windows has historically lagged behind more dedicated platforms.

For more details, you can read the full article on PC Gamer here.

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