The ASUS ROG Ally X Review

The ASUS ROG Ally X is a powerful handheld gaming device released in July 2024, designed to deliver a premium portable gaming experience. It builds on the original ROG Ally, incorporating user feedback to enhance performance, battery life, and ergonomics.

Key Specifications

Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU (8 cores, 16 threads, Zen 4 architecture, RDNA 3 graphics with 12 compute units, up to 8.6 TFLOPS).
Memory: 24GB LPDDR5X RAM (7500 MHz), an upgrade from the original Ally’s 16GB, allowing better allocation for both system and GPU tasks.
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD (M.2 2280 form factor), doubled from the original 512GB, with the option to upgrade.
Display: 7-inch Full HD (1920×1080) IPS touchscreen, 120Hz refresh rate, 500 nits brightness, FreeSync Premium support.
Battery: 80Wh, a significant jump from the original 40Wh, offering 2-3 hours for AAA titles and up to 4-5 hours for lighter games, depending on settings.
Operating System: Windows 11 Home with ASUS’s Armoury Crate SE overlay for game management and performance tuning.
Weight: 678g (about 70g heavier than the original due to the larger battery).
Connectivity: Dual USB-C ports (one USB 3.2 Gen 2, one Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 1.4 and Power Delivery 3.0), 3.5mm audio jack, UHS-II microSD card reader.
Cooling: Upgraded Zero Gravity thermal system with dual fans (23% smaller, 50% thinner blades), a third exhaust vent, and 24% improved airflow to keep the device cool under load.

Design and Ergonomics

The ROG Ally X sports a redesigned black chassis (compared to the original’s white) with rounded grips for better comfort during long sessions. The joysticks are stiffer and more durable, the D-pad is refined for precision, and the face buttons are more tactile. Triggers now use Hall effect sensors for improved sensitivity, and the smaller rear macro keys reduce accidental presses. Despite the larger battery, the device remains relatively portable, though slightly thicker (36.9mm vs. 32.4mm).

Performance

Powered by the same Z1 Extreme processor as the top-tier original Ally, the ROG Ally X doesn’t introduce a new chip but benefits from faster RAM and a slight TDP bump (e.g., Performance mode now runs at 17W instead of 15W). This results in better frame rates for demanding games, often outperforming the original Ally and the Steam Deck in benchmarks. It supports three modes: Silent (10W), Performance (17W), and Turbo (25W, or 30W when plugged in). Technologies like AMD Fluid Motion Frames and Radeon Super Resolution further boost performance in supported games.

Strengths

Battery Life: The 80Wh battery is a standout feature, addressing one of the biggest criticisms of the original Ally.
Versatility: Runs Windows 11, offering compatibility with Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic, GOG, and more, without the compatibility layers required by SteamOS.
Upgrades: More RAM, storage, and improved cooling make it a robust choice for AAA gaming on the go.

Weaknesses

Windows 11: While flexible, the OS isn’t optimized for handheld use, leading to occasional UI frustrations (e.g., tiny touch targets, intrusive pop-ups).
Price: At $799, it’s significantly more expensive than the Steam Deck OLED (starting at $549) and even the original Ally (often discounted below $600).
No OLED: Unlike the Steam Deck OLED, it sticks with an IPS display, missing out on deeper blacks and HDR.

Recent Updates

As of April 4, 2025, ASUS released BIOS 310 for the ROG Ally X, focusing on system performance optimization and bug fixes, indicating ongoing support for the device.