Gaming has evolved far beyond desktops and consoles. Today’s players ask for nothing but power, flexibility, and portability—and Asus hasn’t wasted any time to respond. Following on from the phenomenal success of the original ROG Ally, Asus has now teamed up with Microsoft to create something even more ambitious: the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.
It’s a luxury handheld gaming PC that really does blur the line between a console and a full Windows laptop, thanks to the leading-edge AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, 120 Hz display, and huge 80 Wh battery within its comfortable, ergonomic shell that echoes an Xbox controller.
OK, let’s get down to details about this game-changing machine: Does the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X truly earn its title as the ultimate Windows gaming handheld?
Design and Build of Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: A Familiar Yet Refined Look
At first glance, the ROG Xbox Ally X seems familiar. It has kept the sleek, all-white aesthetic and those bold RGB-lit analog sticks that made the original Ally such a head-turner. However, the Ally X brings subtle yet crucial improvements in both comfort and durability.
The grips are slightly deeper, echoing the design of Xbox controllers for improved ergonomics during long sessions. Asus has refined the weight distribution, making the device more balanced even though it’s a bit heavier—roughly 715 grams. The additional heft comes from the 80 Wh battery, which is nearly double the capacity of the original Ally’s 40 Wh cell.
Buttons, triggers, and joysticks feel solid and responsive. The rear paddles are now better positioned for accessibility, and the D-pad is improved for precision. It also feels less like a gadget and more like a proper console in terms of overall build quality.
Display of Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: A Portable Visual Powerhouse
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X boasts a 7-inch Full HD (1920 × 1080) IPS touchscreen capable of a 120 Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness. That’s more than enough to make games pop with clarity, even under bright lighting.
What really makes a difference, though, is the FreeSync Premium for surprisingly smooth gameplay with reduced screen tearing. Asus has also applied Corning Gorilla Glass Victus and DXC Anti-Reflection coating, reducing glare by up to 25%.
Whether you’re running around the Windows 11 interface, streaming, or right in the middle of AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 or Elden Ring, this screen remains vibrant and responsive.
The Ally X doesn’t use OLED tech in comparison to other handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED, but its high refresh rate and better resolution balance things out beautifully.
Performance: Ryzen Z2 Extreme Brings Desktop Power
At the heart of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X lies AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor. Built on advanced 4 nm architecture, this APU packs 8 cores and 16 threads, capable of clock speeds up to 5.1 GHz. Paired with the RDNA 3 integrated GPU, it delivers performance comparable to entry-level discrete GPUs.
Asus complements this chip with 24 GB of LPDDR5X-8000 RAM—a significant bump from the earlier model—and a 1 TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD. These specs allow for lightning-fast load times and smooth multitasking.
In real-world gaming, the Ally X impresses. You can expect:
- Forza Horizon 5: ~70 fps on Medium at 1080p
- Cyberpunk 2077: ~55–60 fps on Balanced mode
- Valorant and CS 2: well over 100 fps on High settings
ASUS has also worked on thermals: redesigned the dual-fan cooling system for better airflow and quieter operation, keeping temperatures stable under load.
While it’s still no match for a high-end desktop GPU, it’s remarkable how much power Asus has managed to fit into a device that fits in your backpack.
Windows 11: Flexibility Meets Freedom
Unlike handhelds running on custom OS versions, the ROG Xbox Ally X runs Windows 11 Home, meaning you have unlimited access to PC gaming platforms. Be it Steam, Xbox Game Pass, the Epic Games Store, or Battle.net, everything works natively here.
Microsoft’s partnership with Asus adds polish to the software side. With the Xbox Full-Screen Experience, controller input will let you navigate through your library almost effortlessly, like a console but without sacrificing the freedom of a PC.
Still, it is not all smooth sailing: Windows can feel a bit clunky on handhelds sometimes, especially when one is updating or when certain apps aren’t optimized for touch input. However, Asus’s Armoury Crate SE overlay mostly bridges that gap, allowing quick access to performance modes, lighting, and game libraries.
For many, though, that flexibility outweighs the minor inconveniences. You can game, stream, browse, or even edit videos on the go—something no traditional console can match.
Battery Life of Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: A Big Leap Forward
Battery life has long been the Achilles’ heel of gaming handhelds. The original ROG Ally struggled to last beyond 2 hours in demanding games. Asus listened—and doubled the battery to a massive 80 Wh in the Ally X.
This means, during testing, approximately:
- 3-4 hours of heavy AAA gaming (Performance mode)
- 6–8 hours of indie or cloud gaming
- 10 hours+ of media playback or light use
The internal layout and new battery design also help reduce heat buildup, further increasing comfort during long plays.
While it still can’t beat the stamina of less powerful handhelds like the Nintendo Switch, this improvement makes the Ally X far more practical for travel and long commutes.
Connectivity and Ports of Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Small Device, Big Options
One of the notable upgrades involves connectivity. The proprietary XG Mobile port has been replaced by a standard USB4 (Thunderbolt 4 compatible) port—a much-welcomed change that largely adds versatility.
You can attach external GPUs, displays, or docks without any compatibility issues. The device also features:
- MicroSD UHS-II slot (for expandable storage)
- 3.5 mm audio jack
- Wi-Fi 7 + Bluetooth 5.4,
- USB-C DisplayPort 2.1 output
This means you can easily hook the Ally X up with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse to turn it into a mini desktop PC. It’s clear that Asus intends this device to be an all-in-one gaming solution: portable when you need it and powerful enough for serious work when docked.
Audio and Haptics of Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Immersive and Refined
More often than not, the audio in handhelds is an afterthought, but not so in Asus’ renditAI-noise-cancellationing speakers with Dolby Atmos, which produce crisp, spatial sound, while AI-Noise-Cancellation microphones provide clear voice chat.
It also offers improved haptic feedback, with subtle vibrations that enhance immersion in racing and shooting games. Plug in a good pair of headphones, and the Ally X becomes an immersive portable gaming theater.
Software Enhancements: Xbox Integration and Armoury Crate SE
This isn’t just another handheld PC, given the collaboration of Asus and Microsoft. It’s the very first officially branded Xbox handheld, optimized for Game Pass Ultimate users.
The new full-screen interface on Xbox launches players directly into games, just like on a console, while Armoury Crate SE 2.0 handles system monitoring, fan curves, and game profiles and is easily accessed via touchscreen.
Asus also provides frequent firmware updates, improving both performance and compatibility over time. The integration feels natural; it feels like carrying around a mini-Xbox that can run your entire PC game library.
Comparison: Ally X vs Steam Deck OLED vs Original Ally
| Feature | Asus ROG Xbox Ally X | Steam Deck OLED | ROG Ally (Z1 Extreme) |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme | AMD Aerith (Zen 2) | AMD Z1 Extreme |
| RAM | 24 GB LPDDR5X-8000 | 16 GB LPDDR5 | 16 GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 1 TB SSD (M.2 2280) | 512 GB SSD | 512 GB SSD |
| Display | 7” 120 Hz IPS | 7.4” OLED 90 Hz | 7” 120 Hz IPS |
| Battery | 80 Wh | 50 Wh | 40 Wh |
| Weight | 715 g | 640 g | 608 g |
| OS | Windows 11 | Steam OS | Windows 11 |
| Price (India) | ₹114,990 | ~₹55,000 (import) | ₹69,990 |
In short, the ROG Xbox Ally X is the most powerful and feature-packed of the three. However, it’s also the most expensive. The Steam Deck OLED remains unbeatable for value, while the Ally X dominates for flexibility and raw horsepower.
Real-World Experience: What Gamers Are Saying
Early adopters and reviewers alike say this drastically improves over the first-gen model in many ways. Many like the ergonomic upgrades, the huge battery, and the standardized port setup.
One such Reddit user wrote, “The Xbox Full Screen Experience is actually quite smooth. It finally feels like a true portable Xbox.”
Others note that setting up still takes some time; there are still Windows updates and driver installations that need to be done. But once everything is configured, the Ally X can deliver what few handhelds can: a full desktop-class gaming experience on the go.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Powerful AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor
- 24 GB RAM and 1 TB SSD provide future-proof performance
- Gorgeous Hz display with anti-glare coating
- Excellent Xbox controller ergonomics
- Windows 11 gives complete gaming freedom
- USB4 port for external GPU and accessories
- Huge 80 Wh battery with improved efficiency
Cons
- High price (₹114,990 in India)
- Heavier than most handhelds
- Windows still needs optimization for small screens
- Battery life still falls a bit short for those all-day AAA gaming marathons
Verdict: The Best Windows Gaming Handheld Yet
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is not an incremental upgrade but a statement in itself: Asus has refined almost every aspect of its design, improved endurance, and deepened the integration with Xbox’s gaming ecosystem.
If you’re looking for a handheld that can take the place of your gaming laptop, this is the one. It’s not cheap; it’s not feather-light—but the power, polish, and portability make it worth what it costs.
The combination of Asus and Microsoft on the Ally X redefined what a handheld gaming PC could be: not just fun sidekicks, but genuine portable powerhouses.
