Asus ROG Ally X review

Trade in Asus ROG Ally X

(Image credit: Future)

I’m striving to resist the temptation to include numerous DMX references while discussing the $799 Asus ROG Ally X, as phrases like “X gon’ give it to ya” will undoubtedly become a staple in many reviews. So, let’s get straight to the point — yes, Asus has enhanced the battery life, boosted the speed, and improved the ergonomics (despite the added weight). This is the premier Windows gaming handheld.

Where others stumble, the X excels. Doubling the battery capacity to 80Wh gives it remarkable endurance, making you less anxious about power when on the go. Additionally, the inclusion of a second USB-C port allows for charging while using AR glasses like the Viture Pro. This clearly places it ahead of the Lenovo Legion Go and the original Ally.

Retaining the same chip and display as last year’s model, the performance improvements are minor but noticeable, thanks to the full-size SSD and doubled RAM, which enhance loading speeds and framerate smoothness.

With slight increases in size and thickness, Asus has also improved the ergonomics — shoulder triggers have excellent travel, face buttons are more tactile, and the joysticks are significantly better.

But how does it fare against the formidable Steam Deck OLED? This is where it gets complicated, as it highlights the core issue with all Windows gaming handhelds: Windows 11 itself.

Asus has made commendable efforts to mitigate this with Armoury Crate, but using this OS on a small display is still necessary for game setup and…well…it’s not great. SteamOS offers a much better handheld console experience, and for pure gaming, the exceptional controls and stunning display make it a close contest between the two.

So, at $799, it’s a substantial investment, but despite Windows’ shortcomings, you’re getting the best in its class. If you already own the Ally, the Legion Go, or the Steam Deck, this upgrade may not be justified.

However, if you’re in the market for a gaming handheld and don’t want to be “confined” to Steam (though let’s be honest, most of you probably use Steam primarily), then the ROG Ally X is the one to get.

ASUS ROG ALLY X: CHEAT SHEET

• What is it? This is a Windows gaming handheld — an upgraded version of the original Asus ROG Ally.
• Who is it for? This is for gaming enthusiasts who want to take their PC library with them, without the need for a chunky gaming laptop.
• What does it cost? You can pick one up for $799.
• What do we like? Asus has listened and fixed a lot of the issues we had with the original Ally. Battery life is much better, it feels much more comfortable to play games on, and performance has been improved a little too.
• What don’t we like? In the face of the Steam Deck OLED, I’m a little sad that the Ally X didn’t get the OLED treatment. And unfortunately, there seems to be no way of getting away from the plight that is trying to use Windows 11 on a tiny display.

ASUS ROG ALLY X: SPECS

ASUS ROG ALLY X: THE UPS

I’ll summarize the strengths of this system in three words — Asus has listened. We had our grievances with the original ROG Ally, and although this isn’t a next-generation model, this enhanced edition addresses (mostly) all of our issues.

Stamina champ

(Image credit: Future)

Asus appears to have taken our battery life complaints to heart, as the ROG Ally X now features a massive 80Wh battery, significantly increasing capacity without adding much weight to the system (more on that later).

Although doubling the battery size doesn’t equate to doubling the longevity, it provides enough power to ease concerns about longer journeys.

This is a significant improvement, allowing me to travel from Nottingham to London on a two-hour train ride while playing “Red Dead Redemption 2,” with the battery draining to only around 20%. Such endurance is unprecedented in gaming handhelds.

Moreover, for longer trips, the inclusion of a second USB-C port lets you use accessories like AR glasses while still charging and playing. Pretty neat!

Much more performant

(Image credit: Future)

So yes, this device still uses the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, so gaming performance changes are minimal. However, three key factors contribute to improved performance.

• Improved cooling helps with better sustained performance
• Upping the RAM to 24GB helps a little with framerate smoothness
• Having a full-size SSD in here (rather than the half-size of the ROG Ally) has dramatically sped up loading times

(Image credit: Future)

See for yourself:

As you can see, there’s a slight increase in CPU performance, but the significant boost in disk speed is much more aligned with the Legion Go! This improvement will greatly assist in loading dense maps, such as those in “Cyberpunk 2077.”

Using the same testing standards we apply to laptops, these frame rates may initially appear alarming (and DiRT 5 is a notable exception). However, it’s about channeling your inner PC gaming enthusiast and optimizing settings for the best experience. For instance, setting Cyberpunk 2077 to medium and activating FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) yielded a stable 40 FPS for me.

Moreover, the enhanced cooling system ensures that frame rates remain consistent regardless of how long you play. For example, “Forza Horizon 5” on medium settings at 1080p with FSR runs at 50 FPS, but on the original Ally, it would drop to 30 FPS after an hour. With the X, that drop doesn’t occur at all.

In short, the upgrades have resulted in a notable improvement.

The controller tweaks hit hard

(Image credit: Future)

I’m just going to present the table here without any context because you might be expecting this device to be much chunkier and heavier with its doubled-up battery. Well, you’re wrong.

It’s truly surprising how comfortable it still feels to hold and play without any noticeable wrist strain. Kudos to the designers for achieving this!

(Image credit: Future)

With the increased thickness, Asus has also tackled some of my previous issues with the Ally. The grips are more pronounced, and the back buttons are smaller, reducing the risk of accidental presses. The triggers now feel smoother and offer more depth, while the face buttons and D-Pad have a much improved tactile feel. Additionally, the joysticks are smoother and feel more durable.

The black finish is also quite stylish and won’t suffer from discoloration like the white finish on the original. Overall, I’m impressed.

ASUS ROG ALLY X: THE DOWNS

One of these issues seems to be an oversight on Asus’ part, while the other is beyond the company’s control. For Windows gaming handhelds to truly excel, we need a more optimized gaming version of Windows.

“No, I don’t want Office 365 on a damn handheld!”

(Image credit: Future)

I could spend ages discussing how cumbersome it is to navigate Windows on a small touch screen, using the analog stick to move the mouse cursor or accidentally opening the wrong app with your finger. These issues have plagued every handheld device running Redmond’s desktop OS.

To give Asus credit, the company is making a real effort to mitigate this frustration. Armoury Crate launches on start-up, providing a sleek, console-like interface that displays your entire game library and offers substantial system customizability. However, you’re still frequently pulled back into the clunky Windows environment, especially when installing games.

Microsoft urgently needs to develop a gaming handheld-specific version of Windows 11. Whether it’s called “Windows 11: Gamer Edition” or “XboxOS,” we need it now, as this current setup isn’t adequate.

The problem becomes glaringly apparent when you go through Windows 11 startup and are bombarded with a free Office 365 subscription offer… Who wants Office on a handheld? If this is indicative of what we might expect from the rumored Xbox Gaming Handheld, we’re in for a rough ride. Microsoft should have addressed this a year ago, and my patience is running very thin.

Gimme some OLED

(Image credit: Future)

The 7-inch FHD IPS display is decent, but it’s not “OLED” level of impressive. For $800, you’d expect that the company, which includes stunning OLED panels in many of its laptop models (even those less expensive than the ROG Ally X), could have delivered on this.

While the display is fully capable for gaming, offering good brightness for outdoor conditions and vibrant colors that surpass its Windows competitors, it’s still a missed opportunity. An OLED screen would have extended battery life (by not needing to light every pixel), made the device lighter, and provided a more vivid gaming experience. This was an easy win that Asus missed.

When it comes to PC gaming handhelds, the Steam Deck OLED stands out with superior display quality, and it comes at a significantly lower price.

ASUS ROG ALLY X: VERDICT

(Image credit: Future)

After successfully avoiding any DMX references, it’s fair to say that considering all factors, the ROG Ally X is the top Windows gaming handheld. Microsoft made a valiant effort to undermine this with a lackluster OS experience, but Asus has managed to overcome it.

This is a tale of heeding player feedback and making direct improvements — doubling the battery capacity, increasing RAM for better performance, refining ergonomics, and enhancing the aesthetic with a sleek black finish.

As mentioned, if you already own a Windows gaming handheld or a Steam Deck, it might be worth waiting for the next generation to see more substantial internal upgrades. However, whether I was on a plane, a train, or tuning out distractions at a bar with my games, this mini marvel kept up and kept me entertained.

The truth is, the ROG Ally X is a gem for those who truly get to experience it…damn it, I couldn’t resist!

Source: Tom’s Guide