The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X represents an exciting evolution for handheld PC gaming. It merges the technical muscle of ASUS’s Republic of Gamers (ROG) line with Microsoft’s Xbox ecosystem. It’s a collaboration that brings the best of both worlds together in PC flexibility and console simplicity on one device. Following my reviews of the original ROG Ally and its refined successor, the ROG Ally X, this latest version feels like a culmination of everything ASUS has learned and more.
Best Buy Canada is the exclusive retail partner for the Xbox Ally X, which aims to deliver the most complete handheld gaming experience yet. The new Xbox Ally X raises the bar yet again, refining nearly every aspect of its design and performance. From smarter ergonomics to more powerful hardware and a smoother Xbox-integrated interface, it pushes handheld gaming further than ever before. Let’s dive into my full review of the ROG Xbox Ally X.
Unboxing and setup of the ROG Xbox Ally X
As part of the early review program, my first experience with the ROG Xbox Ally X involved a fair number of updates before I could dive in. That’s expected with pre-release software testing, but ASUS assured me that day-one retail models will offer a far smoother experience. That said, once those initial updates were installed, it became clear how refined the user interface was.
Xbox full-screen experience on the ROG Xbox Ally X
Following setup, the Xbox full-screen experience immediately gives the ROG Xbox Ally X a console-like functionality. As part of ASUS’s new collaboration with Microsoft, the Windows onboarding process has been redesigned. Elements of setup and the actual Operating System have been optimized for joystick and button navigation. Even tasks like PIN creation can now be done entirely from the gamepad. Another nice touch from the Ally X is the power button doubles as a fingerprint sensor for quick, secure login.
Exploring the new Xbox full-screen interface
Once inside the new Xbox interface, the device looks and behaves like an Xbox console’s dashboard. You can browse the store, install PC or Xbox Play Anywhere titles, or stream directly from Xbox Cloud Gaming. The UI also minimizes background tasks to keep resources dedicated to gameplay, helping to ensure titles run more smoothly. I was especially impressed with the new Game Bar overlay. It’s accessible with the Xbox button, providing quick access to your library, friends list, and the integrated ROG Command Center.
All your games on one device
If you prefer to branch out outside the Xbox ecosystem, there are quite a few options. Third-party storefronts like Steam, Epic Games and more are just a tap away. Once installed, their games automatically populate in your Xbox library for unified access.
Opening the Command Center reveals an elegant evolution of ASUS’s Armoury Crate SE. It’s designed to put essential controls right at your fingertips. From here, you can quickly adjust volume, brightness, real-time performance stats, Radeon Super Resolution, and frame rate limits.
The ROG Xbox Ally offers four primary performance modes: Windows, Silent, Performance, and Turbo, plus an advanced Manual mode. Windows plus Silent mode prioritizes battery life and quiet operation for lighter titles or media use. In contrast, Turbo mode unlocks maximum power for demanding games. This delivers the highest frame rates, albeit at the expense of increased heat and battery consumption. Performance mode sits comfortably in the middle, striking an excellent balance between speed and efficiency. Together, these tools make it easy to tailor the Ally’s performance to your needs, whether you’re optimizing for endurance, silence, or pure power.
Customize your ROG Xbox Ally X experience
If you are like me and personalize your setup, the full Armoury Crate SE app offers deeper control. This includes custom profiles, joystick calibration, RGB lighting, and battery care options. On the operational side, I found navigation to be faster and more consistent, and it is now fully possible to make changes with just bumpers and face buttons on your controller. It underscores how this hybrid handheld is becoming as controller-friendly as a console. I found that I was moving between different apps far less often and could do everything gaming-related I needed within the new Xbox full-screen experience.
ROG Xbox Ally X design and build quality
The ROG Xbox Ally X is a solid piece of hardware that feels great to hold, even for long play sessions. It weighs 715 grams, slightly more than the original Ally, but ergonomic refinements make that weight feel better distributed in my hands. The matte-black chassis and new sculpted Xbox-style grips give it a more familiar and firmer handhold. ASUS has also made numerous engineering refinements, notably shifting the components internally for improved balance.
I found this really helped to reduce hand strain over long play sessions and felt better overall. The device still features the signature ROG angles and venting, but now in a subtler, stealthier package. The design feels like what you’d expect from a premium console: polished, cohesive, and solidly built.
Performance and specifications of the ROG Xbox Ally X
Beneath the sleek frame, the ROG Xbox Ally X is driven by AMD’s new Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, a powerful APU that blends high-performance cores with an integrated NPU for AI acceleration. Paired with 24GB of LPDDR5X-8000 RAM and a fast 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, the system is lightning quick.
Load times are short, multitasking feels fluid, and demanding games benefit from stable frame rates. Titles like Forza Horizon 5 play smoothly even at higher detail settings. I also found that there was greater power efficiency compared to the original Ally, with quieter fans and more stable, sustained output.
ROG Xbox Ally X adds NPU to help with future proofing
Looking to the future, AMD has included an exciting piece of tech with the integrated NPU. This addition helps set the stage for AI-enhanced gaming and productivity with future updates. While it doesn’t yet play a major role in most titles currently, this built-in AI engine will enable upcoming Windows features and game optimizations that take advantage of on-device intelligence. In terms of the differences you could see, the “AI boost” could help extend performance and battery life even further as software support expands.
ROG Xbox Ally X display quality
The 7-inch Full HD IPS display is sharp and responsive, carrying forward the 120Hz refresh rate and FreeSync Premium support from the previous generation. The panel’s updated DXC anti-reflective coating makes outdoor or brightly lit play more viable, while the Gorilla Glass Victus surface adds durability. Although OLED rivals like the Steam Deck have deeper blacks, the Ally X’s screen strikes a solid balance between clarity, brightness, and energy efficiency.
Real-world use: a hybrid between console and PC
In everyday use, the ROG Xbox Ally X truly stands apart. It’s powerful enough to handle top-tier PC titles but also fluid and intuitive enough for casual gaming sessions. During testing, heavy games like DOOM and Forza Horizon 5, it ran impressively well in Performance Mode without excessive fan noise or heat buildup. Battery life has been meaningfully improved thanks to the 80Wh battery and smarter power management. While demanding titles still push it into the two-to-three-hour range, lighter games or cloud streaming can extend playtime up to five hours or more. For travel or short bursts of gaming, it’s competent and far more efficient than its predecessor.
ROG Xbox Ally X connectivity and expansion: built for flexibility
The Xbox Ally X offers plenty of connectivity options for interfacing, accessories or even expanding the devices hardware capabilities.
The hardware itself features Dual USB-C ports that support power delivery, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt-compatible devices, making docking and charging straightforward. With support for the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard and Bluetooth 5.4, pairing accessories or streaming from other devices is seamless. This flexibility allows the handheld to slip easily into multiple roles: it’s a gaming laptop replacement, a living room console, or a travel companion—all in one package.
Comparing ROG Xbox Ally X to its competitors
The handheld gaming scene has never offered more options, and the ROG Xbox Ally X comes ready to lead the pack. Compared to the Steam Deck OLED, ASUS’s latest handheld packs noticeably more power, faster load times, and the unbeatable flexibility of the Windows ecosystem, along with Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and more, all at your fingertips.
It’s also a major leap forward from the original ROG Ally, boasting improved comfort, a bigger battery, and a smoother, more console-like experience thanks to its deep Xbox integration.
While the Steam Deck OLED remains a great option for players, the ROG Xbox Ally X is the clear choice for gamers who demand top-tier performance and flexibility. Whether you’re playing blockbuster titles on the go or connecting it to a monitor for full PC power, this handheld proves that true portable gaming has arrived.
Final verdict on the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X: simplicity meets PC power
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X succeeds because it feels like more than a spec bump, but a significant overhaul to the approach of the hardware and software. It’s a genuine rethinking of what a handheld PC can be, guided by lessons from its predecessors and shaped by Xbox’s user-first design philosophy. It combines performance, versatility, and polish in a way that few competitors can match. While the weight and IPS screen are minor drawbacks, they’re overshadowed by the strides in efficiency, ergonomics, and interface integration.
In the end, ASUS and Microsoft have created a handheld that bridges two worlds, console simplicity and PC freedom.
Best Buy Canada is the exclusive retail partner for ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, which will be available from October 16th, but you can pre-order now.
Awesome comparisons and review here. Dang I want one of these so bad! Hopefully price point gets more attractive over time. Very exciting to see these advances though in handheld gaming!