Best Buy has dropped the open box Asus ROG Xbox Ally X to $869.99, putting the most powerful Windows gaming handheld on the market within reach for $130 less than its standard $1,000 asking price.
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What you're actually getting for $870
The open box units listed at Best Buy are graded "excellent condition" by the Geek Squad, meaning they've been verified both functionally and cosmetically. These aren't mystery boxes. Most are either new units with dented packaging or 30-day customer returns, which typically means the previous owner had buyer's remorse rather than a hardware problem. Typical "excellent condition" pricing for this unit runs between $920 and $950, so the current $869.99 listing with free delivery is a meaningful step below that range.
Because many of these units were barely used before being returned, some still carry most or all of the original manufacturer warranty. That's a genuinely useful safety net on a $1,000 piece of hardware.
The hardware behind the price tag
The Xbox Ally X ships with the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB SSD, all packed into a 7-inch 120Hz handheld form factor. It runs Windows 11, but the Xbox integration is the part that actually changes the day-to-day experience. The device boots straight into the Xbox Full Screen Experience, which loads the Xbox app without pulling up Explorer or the usual background Windows clutter.
Here's the thing: that Xbox integration is essentially Microsoft's answer to SteamOS. The Steam Deck set a high bar for frictionless handheld PC gaming when it launched in 2022, and the Xbox Ally X is the first Windows handheld that seriously challenges that ease of use.
The key here is that this is less a new Xbox console and more a direct evolution of the Asus ROG Ally X from the previous generation. The Xbox branding reflects the software partnership with Microsoft, not a fundamental change in what the device is.
How it stacks up against the competition
For context on whether $1,000 (or $870 open box) is reasonable, here's where the Xbox Ally X sits among its direct rivals:
All three run the same Z2 Extreme chip, which makes the Xbox Ally X the most affordable of the three at full retail. The open box pricing pushes the gap wider.
The alternative route through AliExpress
For buyers who want a new unit rather than a refurbished one, Lucky Tech Store on AliExpress currently has an imported Xbox Ally X for $895 after applying coupon code USAFF60 at checkout (a $60 discount). The retailer ships from a US warehouse, with most orders arriving within a week, so there are no tariff concerns or extended wait times. This is reportedly the lowest price seen on a new listing since the device launched in October 2025.
The tradeoff is that import models may have different warranty terms than units purchased directly from US retailers. Worth factoring in before committing.
For anyone who's been sitting on the fence about the handheld PC market, check out the latest reviews to see how the Xbox Ally X compares to other portable gaming options before pulling the trigger. If you want broader context on getting the most out of handheld gaming hardware, browse more guides for setup tips and game recommendations tailored to the format.
