Why you possibly can belief TechSwitch
We spend hours testing each services or products we overview, so that you may be positive you are shopping for the most effective. Find out more about how we test.
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Two-minute review
When the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (and its less powerful, slightly more affordable ROG Xbox Ally) handhelds were announced earlier this year, it got here as a little bit of a shock.
For years, there had been rumors that Microsoft was engaged on an Xbox-focused handheld games console. The success of Nintendo’s handheld/dwelling console hybrid Switch (and its follow-up, the Switch 2), plus the emergence of PC gaming handhelds just like the Steam Deck, made these rumors appear much more seemingly.
However, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X was a surprise because, despite the name, this is not a handheld Xbox console. It’s, in fact, yet another PC gaming handheld with Xbox branding and a few choice upgrades. This is not a bespoke bit of hardware built from the ground up with a dedicated gaming operating system that lastly brings the ease-of-use of video games consoles to PC gaming handhelds. Instead, its {hardware} is similar to the present Asus ROG Ally X, a robust gaming handheld I reviewed final yr, nevertheless it nonetheless makes use of that awkward mixture of Windows 11 (an working system designed for conventional PCs and laptops) with a console-like interface positioned over it to make launching video games utilizing the hand held’s controls simpler.
Where to purchase the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds
If you are on the lookout for the most recent data and retailer hyperlinks for where to buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, then our full information has you lined.
In truth, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X truly makes it a bit extra awkward because it provides two interface overlays on prime of Windows 11 – Asus’ Armoury Crate software program, like its Ally and Ally X predecessors, which can be utilized to launch video games, in addition to the brand new Xbox Full Screen Experience, which provides a console-like interface to Windows 11. All of those further layers, whereas important for making Windows 11 usable on a handheld system, imply that the slick expertise of utilizing a console is once more lacking from the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, particularly once you begin needing to replace completely different bits of software program at completely different occasions.
Maybe much more stunning is that this collaboration comes at a time when the Xbox model is arguably at its lowest ebb. Poor sales of the Xbox Series S/X consoles, no true unique video games, a spate of studio closures and layoffs, and huge price increases to Xbox Game Pass have led to some followers and critics questioning simply how a lot of a future Xbox has (despite Microsoft denying it was exiting the console business).
It virtually looks as if the Xbox model may hinder the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X greater than assist it. Not simply due to the negativity across the model for the time being, however as a result of, like different PC gaming handhelds, your enjoyment of this system will rely rather a lot in your expectations, and I fear that the Xbox connection may result in folks entering into with the unsuitable expectations.
So, this isn’t a handheld console with video games and software program designed to maximise efficiency on a set {hardware} configuration, and offered at a loss to maintain costs down and improve adoption.
Instead, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X could be very a lot a premium PC gaming handheld, with all the professionals and cons that brings.
For present followers of PC gaming handhelds, like myself, meaning an enormous quantity of flexibility, particularly for those who’re snug with leaving the console-like interface and digging into Windows 11 for some good old school tweaking. So, you possibly can set up different sport launchers, video games from numerous sources, and because the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is working the complete model of Windows 11, you possibly can even set up desktop purposes similar to Microsoft Office.
Hook it as much as a USB-C dock, together with Asus’ personal ROG Bulwark Dock, and also you’ll be capable to connect any peripheral (together with screens and TVs) that works with Windows PCs, reasonably than having to depend on formally licensed (and subsequently costly) equipment. You may even uninstall Windows 11 and set up a rival working system, such because the Linux-based SteamOS. These are all stuff you’d by no means be capable to do with the Switch 2, or (I’m pretty positive) any future official Xbox handheld console.
On the cons aspect of issues, being a PC gaming handheld means coping with an working system that also isn’t absolutely designed for use with a handheld system, and this could imply menus and dialogue bins opening with textual content that’s too small to learn on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X’s 7-inch display, and a few components of the interface which might be tough to navigate through contact or controller. Usual PC annoyances, like numerous replace requests and the occasional crash, are additionally current, and whereas PC players will little question roll their eyes and boot the sport again up, console-only players in all probability gained’t be as forgiving.
For instance, whereas taking part in Cyberpunk 2077 on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (which initially concerned me going by the Xbox app to launch Steam in Big Picture Mode – one other interface – to then launch the sport), Windows 11’s command immediate window opened up and a great deal of textual content appeared on the display, earlier than disappearing. As somebody used to PC gaming, I wasn’t too irritated. Obviously, some app was updating within the background, nevertheless it did imply that I may now not management the sport till I had made Windows 11 focus again on the sport’s window. During that point, I used to be killed by enemies (in-game, I ought to add).
For a PC gamer, this can be a frustration, however nothing too out of the atypical. For a console gamer used to how issues work with Nintendo or Sony consoles, this might be a very baffling ordeal that makes them not need to decide up the system once more.
It additionally signifies that to get the most effective gaming efficiency from the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, you’re going to should do some tweaking to a sport’s graphical settings. For seasoned PC players, this isn’t an issue – and for some, it’s even a part of the enjoyable. For folks used to consoles, the place video games are made to a restricted variety of {hardware} specs, builders can set these choices so the sport launches with the most effective mixture of graphical settings and efficiency. If you purchase the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X understanding that this can be a handheld gaming PC, you may not be disillusioned, however as I discussed earlier, the usage of the Xbox model may imply folks aren’t getting what they anticipated.
Graphically demanding open-world video games like Cyberpunk 2077 proved to be an excessive amount of for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, until you severely drop a number of the graphical settings. However, video games like Forza Horizon 5 run brilliantly with out too many compromises made to graphics settings, and fewer graphically demanding (but nonetheless great-looking) video games similar to Hades II and Hollow Knight actually shine.
However, maybe the most important stumbling block for folks anticipating a handheld console, reasonably than a handheld gaming PC, is that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X comes with an extremely excessive price ticket – $999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599. Even the extra inexpensive ROG Xbox Ally nonetheless comes with a $599.99 / £499.99 / AU$999 price ticket.
In comparability, the Nintendo Switch 2 begins at $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95, whereas the Xbox Series X (a way more highly effective system) launched at $499 / £449 / AU$749.
In the context of handheld gaming PCs (and PC gaming generally), nevertheless, the value isn’t fairly as a lot of a shock (although that doesn’t make it any higher worth). The ROG Ally X launched at $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599, whereas the MSI Claw 8 AI+ prices $999, and neither of those aren’t fairly as highly effective because the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. You’d even be hard-pressed to discover a gaming laptop computer or gaming PC for beneath $1,000 as of late.
While it is in all probability the most effective premium handheld system in the marketplace, due to the excessive value and the sensation that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X nonetheless fails to supply a very console-like expertise, this can be a area of interest product in an more and more aggressive house, and the Xbox tie-in gained’t be fairly sufficient to make it stand out.
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Price & availability
- How much does it cost? Starts at $999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599
- When is it available? Goes on sale October 15, 2025
- Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X goes on sale on October 15, 2025, for $999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599. This is an incredibly high price tag for a console, though it’s becoming increasingly common for handheld gaming PCs.
The Nintendo Switch 2, for example, starts at around half the price at $449.99 / £395.99 / AU$699.95. Even premium consoles like the PS5 Pro are available in rather a lot cheaper at $699.99 / £699.99 / AU$1,199.
While the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is extra highly effective than the Switch 2, gives portability that the PS5 Pro lacks, and options the flexibility of a gaming PC (you’re not tied to a single storefront, can set up full Windows 11 purposes and even new working methods) that consoles lack, it means for folks count on console-like costs for a gaming system branded with the Xbox brand, the precise value will come as a shock.
To soften the blow considerably, there’s additionally the lower-powered ROG Xbox Ally, which prices $599.99 / £499.99 / AU$999 and places it nearer to the Nintendo Switch.
In the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X’s favor, PC video games are often cheaper than console editions, and since you’re not tied to a single retailer, you possibly can store round for the most effective offers. Valve’s Steam, for instance, usually has big gross sales, whereas the Epic Games Store offers away free video games each week. Over the years, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X may find yourself costing you lower than a Nintendo Switch.
Due to the Xbox branding, it’s no shock that the Xbox app that acts as the principle interface pushes Microsoft’s Xbox retailer, and makes an enormous deal of Game Pass, Microsoft’s sport subscription service, which was as soon as dubbed ‘the best deal in gaming.’
‘Once’ is the operative phrase right here, as Microsoft’s recent price hikes of Game Pass couldn’t actually have come at a worse time, because it now not seems like the massive deal it as soon as was. Game Pass for PC now prices $16.49 / £13.49 / AU$19.45 per thirty days, and whereas there are cheaper Game Pass tiers that embody PC video games, it seems like this can be a service that can proceed to supply much less worth.
Meanwhile, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X appears a bit extra competitively priced in comparison with PC gaming handhelds – although it’s nonetheless some of the costly you should buy. The ROG Ally X launched at $799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599, whereas the a lot lower-powered Steam Deck OLED prices $549 / £479 / AU$899.
As with different gaming PC handhelds, for those who’ve already bought a considerable library on Steam or Epic Games Store, for instance, you’ll be capable to set up and play them on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X with out having to purchase them once more, which, once more, may assist decrease the general value of the ROG Xbox Ally X over its lifespan. Xbox homeowners also needs to be capable to play their video games with out having to rebuy them, and for those who’re already subscribed to Game Pass, now you can use that subscription for each consoles and PC (even the most cost effective ‘Essential’ tier).
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X Specs
There are two versions available: the high-end ROG Xbox Ally X and the more affordable ROG Xbox Ally.
|
Component |
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X |
Asus ROG Xbox Ally |
|---|---|---|
|
Display |
7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz refresh rate AMD FreeSync Premium (Variable Refresh Rate) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection |
7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz refresh rate AMD FreeSync Premium (Variable Refresh Rate) Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection |
|
CPU |
Octa-core AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor |
Quad-core AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor |
|
Graphics |
AMD Radeon Graphics |
AMD Radeon Graphics |
|
RAM |
24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
16GB LPDDR5-6400 |
|
Storage |
1TB M.2 SSD |
512GB M.2 SSD |
|
Port selection |
1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt 4 compatible, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC; UHS-I with DDR200 mode), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
|
Weight |
715g |
670g |
|
Dimensions |
290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm (WxDxH) |
290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm |
|
Battery |
80Wh |
60Wh |
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Design
- Similar design to Asus ROG Ally X
- Grips make a big difference to comfort
- microSD slot makes adding more capacity easy
Despite the branding, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is first and foremost clearly an ROG Ally device, and that means it share a lot of the design with the ROG Ally X. This includes the non-symmetrical analogue thumb sticks on either side of the screen (with LED rings around each one), left-hand D-pad, face buttons (X, Y, B and A, all in the same location, though not colored, unlike the ROG Ally X), front-facing speaker grilles, top USB-C ports, microSD port, volume controls and a power button that includes a fingerprint reader.
Triggers and bumpers are all in the same place, as are the Command Center, View, Library, and Menu buttons, so if you’re used to playing on a ROG Ally, you’ll find the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X very familiar. Asus’ ROG branding is still present on the body and on the bezel beneath the screen.
One of the biggest changes to the design is the addition of the Xbox button to the left of the Command Center and View buttons. While the Command Center button opens up Asus’ Armoury Crate interface to launch games, the Xbox button opens up Windows 11’s Xbox Game Bar, which lets you change settings and launch games from there. A long press of the button brings up the Task View, which lets you swap between open apps and games using the controls, which is handy.
Other than that, the Xbox button does a very similar job to the Command Center button – it just opens a different overlay.
The biggest difference in design, however, is with the two grips on either side of the ROG Xbox Ally X (and the non-X version), rather than the curved 90 degree angled corners of the Ally X. These make the ROG Xbox Ally X look and feel more like a game controller, and while I’m pretty used to the more boxy design of the standard ROG Ally X (which is similar to most PC gaming handhelds, including the Steam Deck), the grips make a big difference to how comfortable the ROG Xbox Ally X is.
Playing Sonic Generations (thanks to its mashup of classic 2D platforming and modern 3D, it’s a great game for playing on these powerful handhelds, especially for those of us who always dreamed of a follow-up to the Sega Game Gear handheld) felt comfortable and intuitive on the ROG Xbox Ally X, with the responsive-feeling buttons in easy-to-reach locations. I also found that the grips helped with overall comfort when playing, as it meant the corners of the device weren’t resting in my palms, as with the Ally X. The grips also meant it didn’t feel like my palms were taking the brunt of the weight of the ROG Xbox Ally X – instead the weight felt much better distributed, reducing fatigue during long play sessions.
When it comes to the 7-inch screen, it’s not the best you’re going to find on a handheld, but games look good.
The 1080p resolution hits the sweet spot between graphical fidelity without stressing out the hardware. Its 120Hz refresh rate and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) imply fast-paced video games appear and feel snappy and responsive, and through my time, I noticed no signal of display tearing within the video games I performed.
However, the IPS panel pales compared to the OLED panels discovered within the likes of the Steam Deck OLED. This means colours aren’t as vibrant, and distinction ranges aren’t as placing. Viewing angles are additionally diminished, with the colours getting a bit extra washed out once you’re not wanting on the display instantly from the entrance. Of course, as this can be a handheld system, that’s not a lot of a difficulty, as you’ll be holding and viewing the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X instantly in entrance of your self, however anybody hoping for a premium show to go alongside the opposite high-end elements within the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, in addition to its very excessive value, could also be disillusioned.
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Performance
- Better performance than ROG Ally X
- Best suited to less graphically-intensive games
- Xbox Fullscreen Experience doesn’t fix my main issues with Windows 11 on gaming handhelds
Benchmarks
Here is how the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark Port Royal: 2,006; Fire Strike: 9,141; Time Spy: 4,033
GeekBench 6.5: 2,788 (single-core); 12,883 (multi-core)
F1 23 1080p (Ultra) 14fps
Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p (Ultra) 8.49fps
Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 7:53:15 hours
PCMark 10 Battery Life (Gaming): 2:56 hours
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is noteworthy for being one of many first handhelds (together with the MSI Claw A8), which options AMD’s newest Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, which has been constructed from the bottom up for handheld PCs (the Xbox Ally comes with the lower-powered AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor).
The Z2 Extreme goals to supply a tempting mixture of excessive efficiency and excessive effectivity, so fashionable video games ought to run nicely with out the battery depleting too quick. The 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM is actually very beneficiant (it’s greater than loads of gaming laptops include), which retains Windows 11 and all the assorted completely different launchers and interfaces feeling fairly spritely. It even means a number of video games may be open without delay, making it fast to change between them, although this has large repercussions for the efficiency and battery lifetime of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.
The Z2 Extreme isn’t only a processor; it additionally has an built-in graphics processor. As far as built-in GPUs go, the Z2 Extreme is spectacular, powered by AMD’s RDNA 3.5 know-how, which once more has been designed for gaming handhelds.
While this has thrilling implications for the gaming efficiency of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (and different handhelds powered by the Z2 Extreme chip), it’s additionally vital to maintain expectations in examine. If you’re a PC gamer, you’ll know that an built-in GPU won’t present as a lot efficiency as a discrete (devoted) graphics card, and whereas it’s apparent that Asus was by no means going to have the ability to match a desktop-class GPU into a conveyable handheld, laptop computer GPUs have come an enormous method lately, permitting the most effective gaming laptops to rival gaming PCs on the subject of sport efficiency.
The purpose I convey this up is once more to set expectations accurately. With its built-in graphics, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X merely can’t supply the identical form of gaming efficiency {that a} gaming laptop computer across the identical value (don’t overlook, this factor retails for round $1,000) can obtain when taking part in demanding triple-A video games.
For instance, I loaded up Cyberpunk 2077, and on the default graphics settings, the sport felt sluggish and unresponsive. Changing the graphical settings to the ‘Steam Deck’ preset, which was added to the sport to make it run on a a lot much less highly effective handheld, bought higher outcomes, with the sport hitting a median of 30fps, which is playable, although not distinctive.
When in comparison with the Acer Nitro V 15, a budget gaming laptop that’s removed from essentially the most highly effective laptop computer, and prices across the identical value, you’re round 230fps, with larger high quality graphics settings.
Of course, it’s undeniably spectacular {that a} sport like Cyberpunk 2077 can run in any respect on a tool you could maintain in your palms, nevertheless it’s additionally clear that in order for you pure gaming efficiency on your cash, you’re higher off getting a gaming laptop computer.
A whole lot of the premium price ticket is due to the hand held issue, and whereas it’s actually a extra moveable and handy method of taking part in PC video games than a gaming laptop computer, you’ll should weigh up if that’s sufficient to sacrifice gaming efficiency. When the Steam Deck launched in 2022, this sacrifice was a lot simpler to make, as the hand held value $399 / £349 for the mannequin with the least quantity of space for storing, whereas the high-end mannequin value $649 / £569. The lesser efficiency was far simpler to swallow as there merely was no competitors – not simply because PC gaming handhelds had been of their infancy, however as a result of there have been no gaming PCs or laptops at that value level.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has a a lot more durable job of justifying its value – there are extra handhelds to select from, for a begin, with Asus’ important rivals similar to Acer, Lenovo, and MSI all having their very own handhelds in the marketplace, to not point out the latest Nintendo Switch 2.
The $999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599 price ticket additionally signifies that there are gaming laptops which might be viable alternate options.
In our benchmark exams, working Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p at Ultra settings, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X managed a really spotty 8.49fps. The older ROG Ally X managed 4.94fps in the identical check. Now, you can say that’s a close to doubling of efficiency, however when the outcomes are nonetheless that low, that’s not saying a lot. F1 2023 confirmed related outcomes, with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X hitting 14fps at 1080p and the best settings, whereas the Ally X scored 7fps.
While working these video games at such excessive settings is completed for stress testing the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, in actuality, you shouldn’t be attempting to play these video games with every little thing set to max, and with a little bit of tweaking, these video games can run significantly better, however at the price of graphical high quality. These benchmarks do present, nevertheless, that the Z2 Extreme chip gives a lift to efficiency over the Z1 Extreme within the ROG Ally X, a minimum of. The efficiency distinction isn’t sufficient, nevertheless, for ROG Ally X homeowners to really feel like they should improve.
The comparatively disappointing AAA efficiency shouldn’t come as a lot of a shock to anybody keeping track of PC gaming handhelds, however for newcomers who see the Xbox branding, together with the very excessive price ticket, may count on a degree of sport efficiency that can result in disappointment.
Forza Horizon 5 was a significantly better expertise, with the optimized settings of the sport permitting for stable and fluid efficiency while additionally wanting actually good, and is a high-quality showcase for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X excels, as with different gaming handhelds, with much less graphically demanding video games, particularly from indie builders. Hades 2, for instance, appears to be like, performs, and sounds (because of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X’s highly effective audio system) completely improbable, as does Hollow Knight.
Games that concentrate on artwork course reasonably than pushing the envelope on the subject of cutting-edge graphics, together with gameplay that fits the form of decide up and play fashion that loads of us use handhelds for, actually do shine on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, and due to its help for a wide range of shops, together with Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG.com, you could have entry to 1000’s of nice indie video games, a few of which you may need in any other case not performed.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X can be a fantastic system for revisiting older video games, and no different gaming platform has the again catalogue of PC. As I discussed earlier, taking part in Sonic Generations on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X was an excellent expertise with quick, fluid motion and graphics that also look nice on a 7-inch display.
As with many different PC gaming handhelds, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X runs on Windows 11, and as I stated in my ROG Ally X overview, Microsoft’s working system simply isn’t appropriate for gaming handhelds.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X makes an attempt to repair that with the ‘Xbox full screen experience’ – an interface just like the one discovered on Xbox consoles, and subsequently significantly better suited to gamepad controllers (reasonably than a mouse and keyboard). Because the standard Windows 11 expertise is so poor on gaming handhelds, this was essentially the most thrilling a part of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X for me.
However, whereas it’s a transfer in the suitable course, the Xbox full-screen expertise doesn’t go far sufficient and finally ends up being a disappointment.
This is as a result of, reasonably than a bespoke model of Windows 11 designed for handhelds, which many people have been wanting, the Xbox full-screen expertise nonetheless runs on the usual Windows 11 working system, and the Xbox full-screen expertise is solely a full-screen app that opens on startup. If you keep throughout the Xbox full-screen expertise, utilizing it to purchase video games and launch video games you’ve purchased from the Microsoft Store, the expertise isn’t unhealthy in any respect.
However, there are nonetheless occasions when Windows 11 makes its presence recognized, often when there’s a brand new replace or the working system encounters an issue. You’re then left attempting to work with an interface designed for bigger screens, and a mouse and keyboard combo, by jabbing the touchscreen.
There are some good options of the Xbox Full Screen Experience – I significantly appreciated the concept behind the Handheld Compatibility Program, which highlights video games within the Xbox Store which might be optimized for gaming handhelds, and by loading them up, their settings ought to be configured so you may get taking part in with out having to tweak.
It’s just like what Valve does with its SteamOS working system, with Steam Deck Verified video games, and it’s an effective way to convey a console-like simplicity to working video games. Meanwhile, ‘Windows Performance Fit’ is designed to present you an concept of how nicely a sport will play in your system (on this case, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X) with out having to look into specs and minimal necessities (one thing us PC players are high-quality with).
The purpose why I say I like the concept behind these options, reasonably than liking the options themselves, is that whereas reviewing the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, most video games I checked out within the Xbox Store didn’t have a ranking for the Handheld Compatibility Program. This is one thing that can in all probability come later because the Xbox crew works to validate video games. To be honest, that’s the identical factor that occurred with Valve – it took fairly just a few months earlier than sufficient video games got a Steam Deck Verified standing for the characteristic to be helpful.
Another situation is that this solely appears to work with video games on sale from the Xbox Store. Microsoft has, to its credit score, allowed you to launch video games that you just’ve purchased from rival shops, nevertheless it does really feel such as you’re not getting the complete expertise. None of the video games from different shops seem like a part of the Handheld Compatibility Program, and icons are very fundamental; there’s no extra details about the video games. For video games purchased from the Xbox Store, you get a lot nicer-looking icons, and the sport pages that open once you launch the sport are full of data.
Essentially, you are feeling such as you’re being punished barely for purchasing a sport from anyplace apart from the Xbox Store.
Buying from one other retailer additionally means opening a brand new app, generally one which’s not designed for a handheld. Steam, a minimum of, has its Big Picture Mode, however meaning you could have one more, completely different interface working.
Asus’ personal Armoury Crate SE interface, discovered within the common ROG Ally handhelds, can be current and proper, and for some duties, you have to use that. It can all get a bit complicated, and it’s a far cry from the unified expertise that consoles supply. Valve, with its customized SteamOS working system, comes closest to this, however you’re restricted to Steam video games until you begin tweaking.
Because I’ve been taking part in on my ROG Ally X for fairly some time, I’ve come to understand Armoury Crate SE. It’s not the best-looking interface, nevertheless it works with a controller and allows you to run video games from numerous sources, which implies the Xbox Fullscreen Experience feels a bit superfluous, including one more interface on prime of others.
It’s comprehensible that the Xbox interface pushes you to purchase by the Xbox retailer, however be ready to additionally get different Microsoft providers pressured onto you. Unsurprisingly, Game Pass is highlighted all through the interface, and there’s a devoted menu merchandise for it. There’s additionally a Cloud gaming a part of the interface, however that is completely for Xbox Cloud Gaming – which is part of Game Pass. Adverts for video games on the Xbox Store additionally seem on the house display, and there’s a devoted Xbox Store part of the interface as nicely.
This is all high-quality in precept – Valve does related with SteamOS – and in case you are already a part of Microsoft’s Xbox ecosystem and signed as much as the likes of Game Pass, then this interface will seemingly work rather well.
But for those who’ve bought an enormous Steam library, are subscribed to a rival cloud gaming platform like GeForce Now, and have little interest in Game Pass, you then’ll once more really feel such as you’re not getting the entire advantage of the Xbox Fullscreen Experience. You can run all of these, however you’d be higher off utilizing the Armoury Crate SE interface, which kind of undermines a number of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X’s promoting factors.
Overall, the efficiency of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X when gaming is nice however doesn’t blow away the competitors (particularly with demanding video games), and out of doors of gaming, the issues with Windows 11 persist. The new Xbox Full Screen Experience is welcome (and is coming to different handhelds sooner or later), nevertheless it’s one more overlay, reasonably than a brand-new working system, and its usefulness will rely on how invested within the Xbox ecosystem you might be.
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Battery life
- Improved power efficiency
- Lasts just under three hours of intensive gaming
The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip inside the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has been designed to offer a balance between performance and energy efficiency, which means performance when using the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X on battery is better than the Z1 Extreme of the Ally X.
As with the Ally X, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X features different ‘Operating Modes’ which change the amount of power the handheld uses depending on certain situations. For the most part, it uses the ‘Turbo’ setting, which runs the Z2 Extreme at 25W, giving more performance but at the cost of battery life (it automatically switches to this mode when plugged in, as obviously then battery life isn’t an issue). There’s also ‘Performance’ mode and ‘Windows’ mode, which both run at 17W, and ‘Silent’ mode, which offers the longest battery life, but at the cost of performance.
You can switch between these modes by pressing the Command Center button to bring up the Armory Crate interface and selecting the mode you want. This is a pretty easy process, but it does highlight the issue I have with the addition of the Xbox Fullscreen Experience – while you can use that interface for various tasks, you can’t use it to switch power modes, you need to use Armoury Crate, so rather than getting a unified and cohesive interface, you end up having a more disjointed experience as you switch between the various interfaces.
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X comes with an 80Wh battery (the ROG Xbox Ally has a smaller 60Wh battery), and along with Armory Crate’s power profiles, the Xbox full-screen experience has been designed to pause certain processes and tasks, making Windows 11 use less power when you’re playing games.
All of this work to make the battery of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X last as long as possible is great to see, as short battery lives are a common complaint with PC gaming handhelds, and to keep these devices as portable as possible, manufacturers are limited by how big a battery they can include, so maximising power efficiency is key.
In our battery benchmarks, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X lasted just short of eight hours when browsing the web. This sounds pretty impressive, but this isn’t a device you’re going to be doing much web surfing on. In our gaming battery benchmarks, the battery depleted a lot faster, lasting just under three hours, which is about what we expect from a PC gaming handheld. With some tweaking, and depending on what game you play and how demanding they are, you may be able to eke out longer battery times.
If you play games via cloud streaming services like Xbox Cloud or GeForce Now, the battery life should be closer to the web browsing times.
However, it’s clear that while Asus, AMD, and Microsoft’s efforts to maximise efficiency are commendable, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X doesn’t buck the trend of handheld devices that can’t go too long when playing games on battery.
Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally X?
|
Value |
This is an incredibly expensive gaming device, with a price tag that’s hard to justify. |
2 / 5 |
|
Design |
A premium design, plenty of ports and the addition of grips means it’s a good looking (and feeling) device. |
4 / 5 |
|
Performance |
AAA open-world games struggle, but with some tweaking you can get good results, and indie games run fantastically. |
4 / 5 |
|
Battery Life |
Battery life is around what you’d expect from a PC gaming handheld. |
3 / 5 |
|
Total |
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is a capable gaming handheld, but it doesn’t quite offer the console-like experience many of us were hoping for. |
4 / 5 |
Buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Asus ROG Xbox Ally X |
Asus ROG Ally X |
Lenovo Legion Go |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Price |
$999.99 / £799.99 / AU$1,599 |
$799.99 / £799 / AU$1,599 |
$699.99 / £700 / AU$1,299 |
|
Display |
7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9, 120Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium |
7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 120Hz, 500 nits |
8.8-inch QHD+, 144Hz, 500 nits, 97% DCI-P3 color gamut |
|
CPU |
AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor |
AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
|
Graphics |
AMD Radeon Graphics |
AMD Radeon Graphics |
AMD Radeon Graphics |
|
RAM |
24GB LPDDR5X-8000 |
24GB LPDDR5X-7500 |
16GB LPDDR5X (7500Mhz) |
|
Storage |
1TB M.2 SSD |
1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
Up to 1TB M.2 2242 SSD |
|
Port selection |
1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt 4 compatible, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC; UHS-I with DDR200 mode), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack |
2x USB Type-C ports, 1x combo jack, 1x SD card reader slot |
2x USB Type-C ports, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD slot |
|
Weight |
715g |
678g |
854g |
|
Dimensions |
90.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm (WxDxH) |
280.2 x 114 x 36.9mm (WxDxH) |
298.83 x 131 x 40.7mm (WxDxH) |
How I tested the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X
- Tested for around a week
- Pushed it as hard as possible, gaming-wise
- Explored various settings
I played various games on the ROG Xbox Ally X every day before writing this review. The games ranged from lightweight indies like Hades 2 to more visually-intensive games like Forza Horizon 5, Sonic Generations, and AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077.
I also ran various benchmark tests to stress the hardware, including game benchmarks with the highest graphical settings and upscaling tech disabled. When gaming, I tweaked the graphics settings and enabled upscaling to get the best possible performance – this often meant dropping the graphics to their lowest settings.
We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, giving attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained, regardless of when a device was released – if you can still buy it, it’s on our radar.
- First reviewed October 2025