Portable gaming has officially leveled up — and the ROG Ally X, the latest evolution of ASUS’s handheld gaming PC, proves it. Combining the power of Windows gaming, Xbox integration, and next-gen AMD hardware, this device is built to dominate the handheld gaming scene in 2025.
If you loved the original ROG Ally, this version fixes nearly every complaint: better battery, smoother controls, enhanced cooling, and more storage — all packed in a sleeker, gamer-first design. Let’s dive into how the ROG Ally X stacks up against the original and whether it’s the best handheld gaming PC of the year.
⚙️ Design & Build: Refined Power in Your Hands
At first glance, the ROG Ally X looks similar to its predecessor, but a closer look reveals significant ergonomic improvements. The grip design is now deeper and more rounded, giving you a comfortable hold even during long gaming sessions.
It’s slightly heavier than the original (around 678g vs. 608g), but that’s because ASUS packed in a larger 80Wh battery — nearly double the previous model’s 40Wh capacity. The extra weight feels justified once you experience the 6–8 hours of battery life, compared to the 2–3 hours on the original Ally.
The button layout has been fine-tuned with improved D-pad accuracy, larger analog sticks, and tactile triggers, making it feel more premium and precise than ever.
Even better, the black matte finish on the Ally X replaces the white shell of the original, making it both stylish and resistant to fingerprints.
💻 Hardware & Performance: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Still Rules
The ROG Ally X continues to use the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip — an 8-core, 16-thread APU with RDNA 3 graphics. While some gamers hoped for a new processor, ASUS opted to refine everything around it for more consistent performance.
With 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM (up from 16GB) and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, the Ally X delivers smoother multitasking and faster load times across the board.
Benchmarks show it easily running titles like:
- 🧟 Cyberpunk 2077 at 60+ FPS (1080p, Medium Settings)
- 🏎️ Forza Horizon 5 at 75 FPS (High Settings)
- ⚔️ Elden Ring at 70 FPS (Balanced Mode)
The performance gain isn’t from raw CPU upgrades, but from optimized cooling, better memory bandwidth, and revised power delivery — meaning you get more stability at lower noise levels.
🔊 Cooling & Sound: Cooler, Quieter, Smarter
ASUS listened to its fans and overhauled the cooling system in the Ally X. The new dual-fan architecture uses thinner fans with 10% more airflow and less noise. Even in “Turbo Mode,” it stays whisper-quiet compared to handheld rivals like the Steam Deck OLED.
Audio has also seen an upgrade. The front-facing Dolby Atmos speakers now deliver louder, crisper sound with improved bass response — a noticeable difference during cinematic or FPS gameplay.
🕹️ Xbox Integration & Game Library Access
One of the biggest selling points of the ROG Ally X is its native Xbox ecosystem integration. Running on Windows 11, it supports:
- Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (included for 3 months)
- Steam, Epic Games, EA Play, GOG, and Battle.net
- Cloud gaming via Xbox Cloud Gaming and NVIDIA GeForce NOW
The experience feels seamless — your Xbox Game Pass library syncs instantly, and you can continue your console progress on the Ally X via the cloud.
ASUS even partnered with Microsoft to fine-tune firmware for DirectStorage and Auto HDR, giving console-like loading speeds and vivid color profiles.
This synergy between PC flexibility and Xbox simplicity makes the Ally X a powerhouse for gamers who want it all — console comfort and PC power in one device.
🔋 Battery Life: The Real Game-Changer
Battery life was the original Ally’s Achilles heel, but ASUS finally nailed it. The 80Wh battery practically doubles playtime, offering:
- 🔋 Up to 8 hours in Silent Mode (indie or 2D games)
- ⚡ Around 5–6 hours in Performance Mode (AAA titles)
- ⚔️ 2.5–3 hours in Turbo Mode
Charging is faster too, with 100W USB-C PD charging, and the dual USB-C ports now let you charge and connect accessories simultaneously — a small but crucial improvement for serious gamers.
🧠 Software Experience: Armoury Crate SE 2.0
The updated Armoury Crate SE 2.0 software is more intuitive and customizable than ever. You can switch between profiles, tweak fan curves, remap buttons, and optimize graphics per game.
It also includes Xbox Game Bar shortcuts and new “Quick Access Widgets” for frame rate, temperatures, and battery monitoring — without interrupting gameplay.
The user interface feels snappier and less buggy than the original launch version, showing how much ASUS has polished the experience.
🎮 ROG Ally X vs ROG Ally: Key Differences
Without using tables, here’s the breakdown:
The ROG Ally X offers a longer battery life, better ergonomics, more RAM, improved cooling, and a new black design. The performance uplift isn’t massive in raw power, but it’s noticeably smoother and more efficient, especially under sustained loads.
If you already own the original Ally, you’ll still see huge quality-of-life gains — especially for portability and endurance.
💰 Price & Availability
The ROG Ally X retails around $799 USD, compared to the $699 launch price of the original Ally. Given the upgrades — battery, RAM, and storage — the price bump feels justified.
It’s available through:
- 🛒 ASUS Official Store
- 🕹️ Xbox Store
- 🏬 Retailers like Best Buy and Amazon
Gamers can also opt for an ROG Care+ Subscription for $5.99/month, offering:
- Extended warranty and accidental damage protection
- Cloud save management for Windows gaming
- Priority firmware and beta updates
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
Pros:
- Dramatically improved battery life
- Better ergonomics and controls
- Seamless Xbox + PC integration
- Quieter cooling and better performance stability
- Expanded RAM and storage
Cons:
- Slightly heavier
- No major CPU upgrade
- Still pricier than Steam Deck OLED
🏁 Final Verdict: The Best Handheld Gaming PC of 2025
The ROG Ally X is not a minor refresh — it’s a refined masterpiece. ASUS fixed the flaws of the original and built a handheld gaming PC that feels powerful, comfortable, and future-ready.
If you want a device that merges the freedom of PC gaming with the ease of Xbox Game Pass, this is the one to beat.
⭐ Rating: 9.7/10
💬 Stronger, smarter, and longer-lasting — the ROG Ally X sets a new gold standard for handheld gaming.
📦 Explore & Subscribe:
👉 Buy ROG Ally X on ASUS Store
👉 Try Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
👉 Get ROG Care+ Protection Plan
