Xbox Handheld is Getting More Expensive in 1 Region

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The ROG Xbox Ally X is now costing more in Japan, according to recent reports. This price increase isn’t unique to the Asus and Microsoft handheld; it’s part of a larger trend impacting the gaming and tech industries overall.

The ROG Xbox Ally X, a gaming tablet created through a partnership between Asus and Microsoft, will launch in October 2025 after a short delay. Building on the Asus ROG Ally series, it lets you play PC games while traveling. It runs on Windows 11, so you can install popular game launchers like Steam, Battle.net, and the Epic Games Store. Asus also plans to regularly update the system to boost performance and add new features.

The ROG Xbox Ally X Is More Expensive in Japan

The ROG Ally X handheld gaming device is still available globally, but it’s now more expensive in Japan. The price has increased from 139,800 yen to 169,800 yen (including tax), which is about a $195 difference. This brings the total cost in Japan to around $1,100. While the official US price remains $999, taxes and fees can push the final cost closer to that amount. The less powerful, standard ROG Ally is unaffected by this price change and still costs 89,800 yen with tax included.

The recent increase in prices for PC components, like RAM and SSDs, is mainly due to a shortage of RAM impacting the tech and gaming industries. Since late 2025, prices have risen by hundreds of dollars because companies like OpenAI and Google are buying large quantities of RAM for their data centers used in artificial intelligence. Also, some RAM manufacturers, such as Micron, are now focusing on business customers instead of individual consumers. This situation isn’t expected to improve quickly. Interestingly, the ROG Xbox Ally X hasn’t increased in price in other countries; it’s currently available for $999 at retailers like Best Buy (before taxes and fees). Therefore, buying an ROG Xbox Ally X outside of Japan is currently more affordable.

The RAM Crisis Continues to Dictate Prices

The Xbox ROG Ally X isn’t the only handheld gaming device affected by a shortage of RAM. The Steam Deck is currently sold out in the US, and it’s hard to find in many other countries too. Valve has stated they don’t have enough of the necessary parts to produce enough Steam Decks to keep up with customer demand. This same shortage is also pushing back the release of the Steam Machine, which is now expected to launch sometime in the first half of 2026.

The current shortage of RAM could lead to price increases for other Xbox products as well. There’s been talk that the Xbox Series X/S might become more expensive in 2026, even after already seeing price hikes in 2025 due to the global economy. The ROG Xbox Ally X is already costing more in Japan, and it remains to be seen if these higher prices will spread to other countries.

Sources: Automaton, Pure Xbox

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2026-02-17 23:37