The handheld gaming market has grown rapidly over the past few years, with more brands pushing into the space once dominated by the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck. Among the most ambitious entries is the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X, a collaborative evolution between ASUS ROG and Microsoft’s Xbox division. Positioned as a premium handheld Windows gaming PC, the Ally X aims to deliver desktop-class performance in a portable form factor, complete with a refined build, upgraded battery, and more console-like usability.
But does it live up to its premium price tag and expectations? After thorough analysis of its design, features, performance, ergonomics, and overall experience, here’s a complete deep dive into ASUS’s latest handheld flagship.
Design and Build Quality – More Refined, More Premium
At first glance, the ROG Xbox Ally X signals its premium positioning. ASUS trades the original white shell for a sleek matte black body, giving the device a more “pro-grade” identity. The darker aesthetic not only looks more serious, but also hides smudges and wear better.
Ergonomics are another strong point. The curves and contours of the handheld have been subtly refined to give a firmer, more comfortable grip during long sessions, moreover it feels natural when playing with it, striking a balance between weight and usability. While it’s not the lightest handheld, it avoids feeling bulky or unbalanced at 678 grams.
Button layout and stick placement remain familiar, though that the newly redesigned face buttons can sound “clickier,” which some may not like it. However, the overall feel remains responsive and solid, with upgrades to durability and longevity in internal components compared to previous generations.
The cooling design has also been enhanced. Larger heat sinks and improved airflow help maintain stability even under heavy load, though the device can still get noticeably warm especially in Turbo mode.
Display – Smooth, Sharp, and Ready for Fast Action
One of the Ally X’s biggest attractions is its 7-inch Full HD display. It uses a 1080p 120 Hz IPS panel with VRR support, making it ideal for fast-paced shooters, action titles, and racing games. Compared to OLED screens, IPS isn’t as punchy in contrast, but it performs better in terms of brightness and clarity.
The 120 Hz refresh rate truly stands out during gameplay. When running lighter or well-optimized games, the experience feels extremely smooth, almost console-level. VRR helps eliminate tearing and stuttering, giving players more consistent visuals without needing to lock framerates.
Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus, the screen also resists scratches and impact well that is equally important for a device meant to travel frequently.
Performance – A Handheld Beast with Serious Power
Performance is where the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X truly earns its premium identity. It’s powered by AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, paired with RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics and a generous 24GB of LPDDR5X memory. This combination results in one of the strongest performance profiles in any handheld gaming PC today.
Across benchmarks and real-world tests, the Ally X handles modern AAA titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Forza Horizon 5 at medium settings with surprisingly smooth results. You will expect Lighter eSports games like Valorant, CS2, and Apex Legends achieve even higher framerates, especially when using Performance or Turbo modes.
The device offers three useful power profiles:
- Silent Mode — Best for indie titles or cloud gaming, with near-silent operation.
- Performance Mode — Balanced option for most games, offering a middle ground between framerate and temperature.
- Turbo Mode — Pushes the hardware to its limits; yields excellent framerates but drains battery quickly and raises temperatures significantly.
Thermal performance, while improved, is still subject to heat buildup during extended sessions based on the above selection mode. Even so, stability remains strong due to enhanced cooling and efficient memory bandwidth from upgraded RAM.
One standout feature is its upgradeable M.2 2280 SSD, giving users flexibility to expand storage significantly up to 8TB.
Software Experience – One of The Best Windows Handheld So Far
Windows 11 on a handheld has often been the biggest complaint among users, but ASUS and Xbox aim to fix this with new UI improvements and a more console-like experience.
The biggest addition is the Full Screen Experience (FSE) mode. This interface overlays Windows with a streamlined, Xbox-inspired dashboard that simplifies game launching, library browsing, and settings adjustment. It supports Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and other gaming platforms, creating a unified interface across ecosystems.
Armoury Crate SE still acts as the central control hub for performance profiles, key mapping, RGB options, and system monitoring. It’s more stable than before, though occasional bugs and inconsistencies may still appear.
The overall software experience, while improved, is still not as seamless as a native console OS. Navigating Windows occasionally requires keyboard inputs or small UI clicks that don’t always feel handheld-friendly. However, compared to earlier Windows handhelds, the Ally X offers one of the best attempts yet at bridging PC flexibility with console simplicity.
Battery Life – A Major Leap Forward
One of the most important upgrades in the Ally X is its massive 80 Wh battery which is double the original ROG Ally’s capacity. This change dramatically boosts its portability and usability.
In a typical scenario one would approximately expects :
- Light or indie games can last 5 to 7 hours
- Mid-tier games at medium settings last around 3 to 4 hours
- AAA titles in Performance Mode offer about 2.5 to 3 hours
- Turbo Mode can drain the battery in under 2 hours
These results place the Ally X among the longest-lasting Windows handhelds thanks to intelligent power management and the larger battery pack.
Fast charging via USB-C is also supported, making it quick to top up between sessions or even extend it to another display, as a portable PC or connect it to an external GPU.
Gaming Experience – Console Meets PC in a Portable Package
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X delivers one of the most flexible gaming experiences available. Because it’s essentially a portable Windows PC with Xbox layering known as FSE, you can access everything from the Full Screen Experience as below :
- Xbox Game Pass
- Steam
- Epic Games Store
- GOG
- EA App
- Ubisoft Connect
- Cloud gaming services
- Streaming services
The sticks, triggers, and haptics feel responsive and precise, adding to the enjoyment of modern titles. VRR support ensures minimal tearing, keeping gameplay visually clean.
While Windows may add occasional friction, the device’s versatility far surpasses that of closed ecosystems like Nintendo or PlayStation handhelds.
Price & Value – Premium Power at a Premium Price
In Malaysia, the ROG Xbox Ally X is priced at RM4,299 with 2 years of international warranty, firmly placing it in high-end territory. Compared to the Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go, it carries a higher price but also delivers more powerful hardware, more RAM, a larger battery, and a cleaner UI experience.
For gamers who want:
- Strong performance
- Console-level controls
- Windows flexibility
- Huge battery improvement
- Access to all major game libraries
If that matches your needs, the Ally X is worth the price. But for casual gamers or those on a tighter budget, this may feel like an expensive luxury.
Pros
- Exceptional performance for a handheld
- Large 80 Wh battery significantly improves playtime
- Excellent 120 Hz display with VRR
- Comfortable, premium design
- Upgradeable storage with M.2 2280 SSD
- Better UI thanks to FSE mode
- Quiet operation in Silent and Performance modes
Cons
- Premium price may deter many buyers
- Windows still brings occasional usability issues
- Turbo mode causes heat and fast battery drain
- Some reports of “clacky” or sticky face buttons
- Heavier than some competitors
Conclusion – The Best Windows Handheld Yet, but Not for Everyone
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X represents a major step forward for handheld gaming PCs. It’s powerful, flexible, well-built, and equipped with the best battery life ASUS has ever offered in this form factor. The collaboration with Xbox adds a layer of polish many Windows handhelds lack, and the improved UI makes everyday use much smoother than before.
For gamers who want a truly portable PC capable of handling modern AAA games, indie gems, retro emulation, and cloud gaming all in one device, the Ally X stands as one of the best options today.
However, its high price and occasional Windows quirks make it more suitable for enthusiasts and power users rather than casual gamers.
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