Xbox has announced a set of updates to the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, focused on delivering a docked experience that looks, feels and plays more like the Xbox console.
According to a press release, the updates will include improvements to docked play, meaning that when connected to a TV, the ROG Xbox Ally handhelds automatically adjust display settings for a better big-screen experience.
This means enabling features like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) on supported Smart TVs, and improving controller pairing when docked. All of this is done in an effort to shift gameplay seamlessly to the big screen.
In addition, Auto Super Resolution (Auto SR) is now available in Xbox Insider preview on the ROG Xbox Ally X. This aims to deliver sharper visuals and smoother frame rates on larger displays, addressing a long-standing trade-off between performance and fidelity. With this preview, Xbox has added Game Bar integration so players can control when Auto SR is applied to their games.
Players can also now add custom games and apps to their library. The updated Xbox PC app brings all your installed games from different PC storefronts into one unified library, making it easier to access everything in one place. Rolling out sometime in May 2026, players will be able to add, remove, edit, and launch any installed game or app directly from the Xbox experience, including those from other PC gaming storefronts and launchers.
Other updates include: lower-latency Bluetooth LE Audio with high-fidelity voice chat, more refined vibration feedback for a more immersive experience, ongoing support for Handheld Compatibility, Default Game Profiles and Advanced Shader Delivery across current and upcoming titles, and more.
The ROG Xbox Ally is a portable games console and a collaboration between Xbox and Asus. It’s also the closest thing there is to a portable Xbox Series X|S. The console competes against the Nintendo Switch 2 in the portable space, and the above changes represent an effort by Xbox to make the console much more of a portable/home console hybrid, not unlike Nintendo’s console.
Early rumors suggest that the PlayStation 6 may also have a portable component. However, these are unconfirmed by Sony at the time of writing, but if true, then that would mean that Nintendo, Xbox, and PlayStation could be competing in the portable space at the same time.