It seems some lucky customers have already received their Asus Xbox Ally X handhelds, more than two weeks before the official release date! Several posts initially surfaced on Reddit, showcasing the new device unboxed and even in action. These posts displayed the handheld arriving in its sealed packaging, followed by images of the operating system and gameplay. Curiously, one of these Reddit posts, along with the user who shared it, has since vanished.
While it’s still early to say if the Asus Xbox Ally X will claim a top spot among the best gaming handhelds, these sneak peeks at the upcoming console certainly look promising. The device is expected to offer a reasonable price point, especially outside the US.
One Reddit post, which thankfully remains active, showcased a sealed Xbox Ally X unit. This was then followed by additional photos of the console running Helldivers 2. Further evidence was provided, demonstrating the handheld running various applications and even CPU-Z, confirming its 24GB of memory. However, it’s worth noting that there’s no definitive proof these were official retail units shipped ahead of schedule.
The comments from other users largely expressed a mix of excitement and friendly jealousy over the early access. Many also inquired about the handheld’s early performance and ergonomic design.
The original poster, known as u/IAm-WilliAm, had nothing but praise for the handheld. Despite being new to Asus handhelds, they found the grip to feel “great in the hands.” They also mentioned owning a Steam Deck but refrained from making direct comparisons between the two.
For most of us who pre-ordered, it’s likely we’ll still be waiting for the official launch date. Still, it’ll be interesting to see if more units pop up in customers’ hands before the scheduled release. If you were one of the fortunate few to receive new tech early, would you share your luck on social media or keep it a secret? We’d love to hear your thoughts!