ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X Review—A Powerhouse of Portable Gaming

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The ROG Xbox Ally X is an impressive handheld gaming device with top-of-the-line specs, and it comes at a premium price – further solidifying ASUS’s position as a leader in the handheld gaming market. After extensive testing, I can confidently say it delivers everything I look for in a portable gaming experience.

Having used both the original ROG Ally and the Ally X, I knew I’d want the new Xbox Ally X. But I was surprised by just how much better it is! This handheld gaming device is a perfect fit for me, and in this review, I’ll explain why I think it’s worth the investment.

Is The ROG Xbox Ally X Different from the Original ROG Ally X?

It might look like the main change is simply adding ‘Xbox’ to the name, but the ROG Xbox Ally X is actually a significant upgrade over the original Ally X.

The main upgrade in the ROG Xbox Ally X is its processor: it now uses the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, a step up from the original Ally’s AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme. This means noticeably faster performance, smoother gaming, and better handling of multiple tasks at once.

The laptop also features identical specs in other areas, including 24GB of memory, 1TB of storage, a 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and an 80Whr battery.

I really love the major design improvements on the ROG Xbox Ally X. While the new exterior might seem a little unusual at first, it’s actually much more comfortable to hold and feels more practical than the original design.

The controller has a better grip built right into its design, and it features larger buttons for shoulders and triggers, making it comfortable for anyone to use. This improved grip makes playing fast-paced games, like first-person shooters, much easier. I tested it with Battlefield 6 on the ROG Xbox Ally X and found my performance was nearly as good as when using a standard controller.

Beyond the measurable improvements, I also observed that the device runs cooler, even when working hard, has noticeably quieter fans, and seems to produce better sound quality.

How Does the ROG Xbox Ally X Perform?

As I mentioned before, the ROG Xbox Ally X completely met my expectations. I tested it with a variety of games, both older titles and new releases, and I was consistently impressed. I played everything from Fallout 4, released in 2015, to the newer Battlefield 6, coming out in 2025.

I really got into PowerWash Simulator, and like I did with my last ROG Ally X, I also installed Escape from Tarkov. I used the Armory Crate software to customize the controls so I could play it comfortably with a controller.

I was consistently impressed with the Xbox Ally X. The 80Wh battery provides several hours of gaming, though the exact playtime depends on the game and your chosen performance settings (Silent, Performance, or Turbo). It’s well-designed with conveniently placed charging and audio ports, comfortable, full-sized buttons, and a weight that doesn’t cause hand fatigue.

I was curious about how Xbox features would be included, and I’m happy to say they’ve been implemented well. They’re useful and really make the device feel like a dedicated gaming handheld, rather than just a smaller Windows 11 computer.

My biggest issue with this device is that ASUS rearranged the buttons – pause, select, Armory Crate, and the library – from how they were on the Ally X. I constantly found myself pressing the wrong one when trying to pause a game.

With just a button press, you can access the Xbox Game Bar, which you can personalize with helpful widgets. Another press takes you to a central library that brings all your games together, no matter where you bought them. The Xbox interface is much easier to use than navigating Windows 11, and it’s been improved even further.

I used to find typing on the Ally X difficult – the keyboard often felt awkward and annoying to use. However, the Xbox Ally X has improved this significantly, and the software adjustments really make a difference.

This handheld device is amazing, and when combined with Xbox, it unlocks incredible possibilities for playing games remotely (on Xbox Series consoles) and through cloud gaming.

This device charges rapidly and offers expandable storage. Its powerful processor delivers incredibly fast performance, and it looks fantastic when displayed. The customizable RGB lighting is a nice touch, and it’s proven surprisingly durable in initial drop tests. Plus, there’s a wide range of accessories available to personalize your ROG Xbox Ally X.

It’s definitely expensive at $999 (or £799), but I believe the ASUS ROG Ally X is worth the cost. If you travel frequently, enjoy mobile gaming, or just want a compact device for relaxing at home, especially during colder months, this is a great investment.

To me, this is the best gaming handheld on the market, bar none.

Let me know on the TopMob Discord server if you plan on buying an Xbox ROG Ally X.

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2025-10-15 16:22