Amazon France Accidentally Ships ROG Xbox Ally X Weeks Early

Some lucky gamers in France just got their hands on the ROG Xbox Ally X weeks before its official launch, thanks to a surprising shipping blunder by Amazon France. While the device is supposed to hit shelves globally on October 16, 2025, photos and early impressions began circulating online after a few customers received their handheld PCs nearly half a month early.

The original Reddit posts may have vanished, but images shared by journalists like Tom Warren and outlets such as The Shortcut confirm that at least a handful of units slipped out ahead of schedule.

This early leak is both a headache and a blessing for ASUS and Xbox. On one hand, it disrupts the carefully orchestrated marketing and launch calendar, and on the other, it fuels excitement around the console-like handheld at a critical time. One French buyer, posting under the name Technical_Fun77, managed to upload a review before their content was removed, praising the machine’s performance and detailing its early benchmarks. Another buyer, reported by TheGamer, also confirmed receiving theirs before the official date, suggesting Amazon France shipped more than just a single rogue order.

For prospective buyers elsewhere, the story is a mix of envy and curiosity. In the US, pre-orders are still wide open through major retailers like Best Buy, and in many cases shipments are scheduled right on or just before release day. In the UK, however, the situation is more complicated – ASUS’s store currently lists December delivery dates, leaving British customers frustrated. Some point to lingering supply chain challenges and post-Brexit complications for delays, while others shrug it off as standard regional rollout disparity.

The global reaction has been predictably divided. Some gamers call the $599 and $999 price points an unjustifiable luxury, dismissing the Ally X as an overpriced gimmick when gaming laptops offer more power. Others are intrigued by the concept of a Windows-based handheld that could rival Steam Deck or even traditional consoles, especially once real-world benchmarks and battery endurance tests start rolling in. Whether the Ally X becomes a niche toy or a mainstream hit will depend heavily on how ASUS manages supply and how players respond once the handheld officially hits shelves.

For now, Amazon France’s mistake has turned a quiet pre-launch period into an unplanned marketing boost, sparking debates across forums about pricing, availability, and whether early adopters really got the better end of the deal – or just a buggy unit before day-one patches roll out.