A Pricey Surprise for Aussie Gamers: The ROG Xbox Ally X Gets a $200 Hike!
Imagine walking into your favorite store, only to find your dream gaming device is now out of reach, price-wise. That's the reality for many Australian gamers as the ROG Xbox Ally X suddenly becomes $200 more expensive. But here's where it gets controversial: this price hike isn't just a local issue.
Spotted by Press Start Australia, the ROG Xbox Ally X's price has jumped to $1,799, a significant 12.5% increase from its original launch price of $1,599. And this is the part most people miss: the Australian Xbox website still displays the old price, leaving many unaware of the change.
Japan is also affected, with the high-end version now costing ¥169,800, an increase of almost $275 in Australian dollars. So, what's behind this global price hike?
Neither Xbox nor Asus has provided an official explanation. However, given the current economic climate, including global memory shortages driven by AI datacenters, price increases are a common strategy for tech companies. It's a tough pill to swallow, especially when you consider the ROG Xbox Ally X's Australian launch price was already $200 more than its non-Xbox-branded counterpart in the US.
The ROG Xbox Ally X offers improved comfort and performance, but its Windows 11 integration leaves much to be desired. Despite these mixed feelings, the recent price increase seems to be a move to align with overseas pricing, leaving Aussie gamers with a tough decision: pay up or wait for a potential price drop.
What do you think about this price hike? Is it a fair move by Xbox and Asus, or are they taking advantage of the current economic situation? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's discuss!
