ASUS ROG Ally X Review: Not a Sequel, But a Meaningful Upgrade.
So, you’ve heard the whispers.
The original ASUS ROG Ally was a bold challenger to the Steam Deck throne, a
powerful Windows handheld that captured the imagination of PC gamers on the go.
But it wasn't perfect. Now, enter the ASUS ROG Ally X.
Is this a simple refresh? A minor
spec bump? Far from it. After spending significant time with the device, it's
clear that ASUS wasn't just listening to feedback—they were taking meticulous
notes. The ROG Ally X is a targeted, thoughtful revision that addresses the very
specific pain points of its predecessor. It’s less about raw power and more
about crafting a better, more complete handheld gaming experience.
Let's dive in and see if the Ally
X is the device hardcore portable gamers have been waiting for.
First Impressions: What’s Actually New with the ROG
Ally X?
When you first unbox the Ally X, it might look deceptively similar to the original. The core identity is the same: it’s a white, sleek gaming handheld centered around that brilliant 7-inch, 1080p 120Hz VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) display. And yes, that screen is just as gorgeous as ever, making everything from fast-paced shooters to cinematic RPGs look buttery smooth.
But the changes, while sometimes
subtle, are profoundly impactful where it counts.
·
A New
Black Option: It now comes in a stealthy "Blackout" color, a nod
to the community's desire for a less conspicuous look.
·
Slightly
Heavier, Much Better Balanced: It’s about 70g heavier, but the weight
distribution is completely reworked. It feels more substantial and less
top-heavy, reducing wrist fatigue during long sessions.
·
Redesigned
Grips: The back grips are more pronounced and ergonomic, molding to your
palms in a way the original simply didn't. This immediately makes it more
comfortable to hold.
The message is clear:
this is an iteration on a proven formula, refined for real-world use.
The Big Three: Battery, Storage, and RAM
If you only remember three things about the ROG Ally X, it should be these. ASUS went straight for the jugular of the original's biggest criticisms.
1. The Battery Life
Savior
The original Ally's 40Wh battery
was its Achilles' heel. You'd be lucky to get 90 minutes in a demanding AAA
title. The Ally X fixes this, and it’s the headliner of the show.
·
The
Upgrade: A massive 80Wh battery—double the capacity.
·
Real-World
Impact: This is a game-changer. Literally. Where you once scrambled for a
power outlet, you can now enjoy a proper gaming session. In my testing, playing
a title like Cyberpunk 2077 at 15W TDP yielded around 2 hours. Lighter games
like Hades or emulated classics could push 4-5 hours or more. This transforms
the device from a "couch-with-a-cable" machine to a true portable
companion for flights, long trips, or just lounging in the backyard.
2. No More Storage
Anxiety
The soldered SSD in the original
Ally made storage upgrades a nerve-wracking process for many. The Ally X
eliminates this hassle entirely.
·
The
Upgrade: It now features a standard M.2 2280 SSD slot.
·
Real-World
Impact: This is huge for tinkerers and storage-hungry gamers. Not only does
it come with a spacious 1TB drive out of the box, but you can easily and
cheaply upgrade it to a 2TB or even 4TB drive using widely available,
standard-sized SSDs. Your entire PC game library can now fit in your hands.
3. Future-Proofed
Memory
This was a quieter upgrade but a
significant one for performance.
·
The
Upgrade: RAM has been doubled from 16GB to 24GB LPDDR5X.
·
Real-World
Impact: More RAM allows you to allocate more VRAM to the GPU directly from
the Armoury Crate software. While 8GB was often sufficient, having the headroom
to assign 8GB, or even 12GB, to the GPU can provide a tangible performance
boost in modern games that are increasingly VRAM-hungry. It future-proofs the
device, ensuring the AMD Z1 Extreme APU has the resources it needs to perform
at its best.
Design Refinements: It’s All in the Details
Beyond the big-ticket items, ASUS sprinkled a host of quality-of-life improvements across the entire device.
·
The
Thumbsticks and D-Pad: The thumbsticks are now slightly taller with a grippier
texture, offering more precise control. The D-pad has been subtly tweaked for
better feedback in fighting games and platformers.
·
Rear
Buttons: The often-criticized "M1/M2" rear buttons on the
original have been completely redesigned. They are larger, more textured, and
placed in a way that's harder to press accidentally. This is a massive win for
ergonomics.
· The New Port: Goodbye, proprietary XG Mobile port. Hello, universal USB4 port. This single change is a masterstroke. It means you can now use a vast ecosystem of standard USB-C docks and eGPUs (external Graphics Processing Units), breaking free from ASUS's expensive proprietary ecosystem. You also get a second USB-C port on the top, making charging while using headphones or a dock a breeze.
Software: The Familiar, Quirky Windows Experience
Let's be honest: the software
experience on Windows handhelds remains their biggest hurdle compared to the
console-like simplicity of the Steam Deck. The Ally X runs the same Windows 11
with ASUS's Armoury Crate SE overlay.
The good news? Armoury Crate is a capable and relatively intuitive
command center. You can tweak TDP (power draw), refresh rate, GPU VRAM
allocation, and controller profiles on the fly. It’s powerful and generally
stable.
The bad news? You’re still occasionally bumping into Windows
itself. A random update, a touchscreen keyboard not popping up, or a game
launcher needing a mouse click—these are the moments that remind you you're
using a PC. It’s not a deal-breaker for the PC-savvy, but it’s a barrier to
pure plug-and-play convenience.
ROG Ally X vs. The Competition: Where Does It Stand?
·
vs.
Original ROG Ally: The X is a straight-up upgrade in almost every
meaningful way. If you value battery life, storage flexibility, and better
ergonomics, the X is worth the price of admission. The original remains a good
device, but the X solves its core frustrations.
·
vs. Steam
Deck (OLED): This is the eternal debate. The Steam Deck OLED offers an
incredible, polished, and integrated software experience with a gorgeous OLED
screen and fantastic battery life. Its weakness is raw power. The ROG Ally X is
the performance king in this segment, with its Z1 Extreme chip, 120Hz VRR
screen, and Windows compatibility (which is both a pro and a con). Your choice
boils down to: Do you prioritize a console-like experience (Deck) or raw PC
performance and flexibility (Ally X)?
·
vs.
Legion Go: The Lenovo Legion Go is a beast with its detachable controllers
and massive 8.8-inch screen. It’s a more versatile "all-in-one"
device but is also larger and heavier. The Ally X wins on portability,
ergonomics, and its superior VRR screen, which makes gameplay feel smoother.
The Verdict: Who Is The ROG Ally X For?
The ASUS ROG Ally X is a triumph of focused engineering. It’s the handheld that the original should have been, learning from its mistakes and delivering a profoundly more mature product.
You should buy the
ROG Ally X if:
·
You are a power user who craves the best
possible handheld performance.
·
Battery life was a deal-breaker for you with the
original.
·
You want the flexibility to easily upgrade
storage and use standard docks/eGPUs.
·
You are deeply invested in the PC Game Pass
ecosystem.
You might want to
look elsewhere if:
·
You value a simple, console-like experience
above all else (consider the Steam Deck OLED).
·
Your budget is tight, and the original Ally at a
discount is more appealing.
· The quirks of Windows on a handheld feel like too big a compromise.
Final Word
The ASUS ROG Ally X isn't a
revolution; it's an evolution. But it's an evolution that matters. By doubling
the battery, modernizing the ports, refining the controls, and future-proofing
the memory, ASUS hasn't just released a new model—they've cemented the ROG
Ally's position as a serious, long-term platform in the PC gaming landscape.
It’s the most capable, no-compromise Windows handheld you can buy today, and
for the right gamer, it will be an absolute dream machine.