ROG Xbox Ally X – Review

The most powerful handheld is here, but at what price?

In recent years, the portable gaming device market has become one of the most dynamic segments of the gaming industry. After the success of the Steam Deck (which I still see as the king of balance) and the wave of hybrid devices that followed it, the competition for the crown of “most powerful handheld” has become a race for details. In this context, the arrival of the ROG Xbox Ally X marks an ambitious collaboration between ASUS and Microsoft, promising to deliver a complete portable Windows gaming experience, optimised for the Xbox ecosystem. I can’t honestly say that this device feels more like an Xbox than its older siblings, the Ally and Ally X, but I can say that the new device represents an evolution in the series.

I had the console for testing for a week (thanks, Asus Romania!) and I can say that the ROG Xbox Ally X is, without a doubt, one of the most capable portable devices released so far. Its raw performance, the freedom to run any game from Steam, Game Pass, or Epic libraries, and the overall quality of the software experience place it in a league of its own. However, once the initial excitement fades, the nuances appear. For its high price, the Xbox Ally X brings top performance, but it fails to deliver the premium finish you’d expect from a product costing around $1000 (5000 RON here).

Design and Build

The ROG Xbox Ally X has a solid, yet paradoxically light presence. Its matte black plastic casing is designed to combine durability with low weight. Aesthetically, it looks excellent. The lines are clean, the buttons are large, and the subtle backlighting of the thumbsticks adds an elegant touch. However, when you hold it, the sensation is slightly different from holding its smaller, poorer sibling, the Ally Z1 Extreme. The plastic used doesn't convey the same rigidity that, for example, aluminium or a quality composite would.

If you tap the casing lightly, you hear a hollow echo, as if the interior is more fragile than it seems. With minor exceptions, at least in my experience, ASUS has often had problems with the quality of materials used in its low- or mid-range devices, but here we’re talking about a premium-class device. In fact, from my point of view, that’s where the problem lies. A premium device cannot have the same weaknesses, by comparison, as a mid-range ROG laptop with a budget RTX 3050 graphics card, because the two, if we’re comparing apples to apples, aren't even in the same price bracket within their own categories.

However, in terms of ergonomics, the console is very good. The grips are well-contoured, and the weight distribution is balanced. I felt like I was holding a screen attached to two halves of an Xbox Series controller. Not bad! You can play for hours without major discomfort, and the button placement is intuitive. Fingers rest naturally, and the mechanical feedback of the buttons is satisfying. The only aspect that might bother a demanding user is the slightly noisy feel of the front buttons. They produce a small mechanical click with each press, which, while not affecting functionality, reduces the overall impression of refinement. Now, tastes are not to be debated. It didn't bother me, but I return to my plea above about premium vs. cheap feeling.

The console is bulkier than it appears in images, yet paradoxically lighter than you'd expect for such hardware power. This is a real advantage, especially for long gaming sessions. However, the materials used remain a vulnerable point. In a product positioned in the premium segment, you expect a denser, more solid construction that inspires long-term confidence.

The Screen – Clarity and Fluidity on the Brink of Excellence

One of the strong points of the ROG Xbox Ally X is its screen. The 7-inch Full HD display with a 120 Hz refresh rate offers a fluid and clear image, ideal for modern gaming. Brightness reaches approximately 500 nits, sufficient for playing in almost any lighting condition. Colours are well-calibrated, and the response time is excellent.

However, the lack of an OLED screen is a notable disappointment. In a world where more and more portable devices are adopting OLED technology, which offers perfect blacks and superior contrast, choosing an LCD panel seems conservative, not to mention cheap again. The image is clear, but it lacks the depth and intensity of colours that an OLED offers. For a product that costs as much as a medium-high-end gaming laptop, such a component would have been justified. Psst, you know what, the Steam Deck has an OLED variant. I don't even think you need anything else, and the price is considerably lower.

In games like Forza Horizon 5 or Cyberpunk 2077, the image remains spectacular, and the 120 Hz fluidity makes a real difference. Every movement seems natural, without stuttering, and the visual experience is one of the best you can have on a Windows handheld right now, and yes, I said Windows, not Xbox, because I don't want to lie to ourselves. My Windows gaming laptop is just as much an Xbox as the ROG Xbox Ally X is, minus the name, of course.

Performance and In-Game Behaviour

The ROG Xbox Ally X is, technically, a complete mini-PC. Under the hood lies the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, a hybrid architecture based on Zen 5 cores, with integrated RDNA 3 graphics. The processor has a dynamic TDP, varying between 15 and 35 watts, depending on the selected performance mode. In Turbo mode, plugged in, the console becomes a true little performance monster.

I tested demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, and Alan Wake 2, and the results were impressive for a device the size of a Nintendo Switch. In Turbo mode, I averaged 60 frames per second at 1080p and medium settings, with FSR enabled. In battery mode, performance visibly drops, going down to 35-40 fps under the same conditions. It's not a problem in itself, but it clearly shows that this device reaches its maximum potential only when plugged in.

In lighter games or titles optimised for Game Pass, the Xbox Ally X flies. Games like Party Animals, Backseat Driver or Pao Pao run without hesitation, with a constant frame rate and moderate temperatures. It's clear that the device was designed to offer versatile performance, from big titles to casual experiences.

Beyond the numbers, what matters is the user experience. The ROG Xbox Ally X responds quickly to commands, runs Windows 11 without lag, and allows for real multitasking. You can switch between a game, browser, and the Xbox app without downtime. In this sense, the console feels more like a high-end pocket laptop than a traditional console.

Software Experience – Total Freedom, But Not Without Obstacles

One of the biggest strengths of the ROG Xbox Ally X is the freedom offered by Windows 11. You can install anything: Steam, Xbox App, Epic Games Launcher, GOG Galaxy, or even productivity applications. For an advanced user, this is a dream come true.

However, the same freedom can quickly become a source of frustration for those who expect a “console-like” experience. Initial setup requires patience. Windows updates, drivers, and the Armoury Crate SE application, which controls performance and lighting, can seem complicated. You need to understand power modes, fan profiles, and thermal limits to achieve optimal performance.

Once everything is set up, the experience is excellent. Armoury Crate SE becomes the device's command centre, allowing quick switching between modes, button mapping, and instant access to games. The interface is fluid, but sometimes the “classic” Windows makes its presence felt. Overlapping windows, unnecessary notifications, system pop-ups – all remind you that beneath the gaming interface lies a complete operating system, with all its advantages and disadvantages.

Yes, I know, Full Screen Experience. I hear you shouting, but even with that, in the end, you still occasionally have to break away from it to do the traditional updates and driver configurations, so even here I can't honestly say that the experience is radically changed regarding Windows on handhelds. I could at most say that there is a noticeable difference that can also be seen in the performance of the games run, but guess what… Steam Deck remains the king.

For a gamer who wants total control, the Xbox Ally X is a technological gem. For someone looking for the simplicity of a traditional console, it can be a tiring device in the first few days.

Battery Life, Temperature, and Sound

Battery life is where the ROG Xbox Ally X most clearly reveals its limitations. The 80 Wh battery is one of the largest in the segment, but the hardware power consumes a lot of energy. In intense sessions, battery life doesn't exceed two and a half hours. In more economical modes or during streaming, it can reach five hours, but this scenario doesn't reflect the real use of a gaming handheld. Compared to previous generations of ROG Allys, let's be clear, there's a big difference. I'd know this especially because my old Ally Z1 Extreme spends more time plugged in than on its own battery.

Charging is fast, and the included USB-C adapter also allows for dock functionality, transforming the console into a mini-desktop PC. Plus, you get an extra Type-C port for anything else you want to connect to the console. If you hook it up to an external monitor and connect a controller, the ROG Xbox Ally X becomes a complete system, capable of replacing a gaming laptop.

Regarding cooling, Asus has done an excellent job. The fans are efficient and surprisingly quiet. In Quiet mode, they are barely audible, and in Turbo mode, the sound is present but not bothersome. External temperatures remain moderate, even during long sessions.

The sound reproduced by the front-facing stereo speakers is clear and balanced, with sufficient volume, although bass is almost completely absent. With headphones, however, the audio quality is excellent, depending on the customer's material, and the Bluetooth 5.3 connection is stable, with no perceptible lag.

Price and Positioning

At a price approaching 5000 lei in Romania, the ROG Xbox Ally X is an expensive device. There's no doubt it offers extraordinary performance, but the cost places it in an area where users will inevitably be more demanding. Competition with the Steam Deck or Lenovo Legion Go is tight, and price differences can no longer be justified by performance alone.

For gamers who want the most powerful portable Windows solution on the market, the Xbox Ally X is hard to beat. But for those looking for a robust, simple, and intuitive device, the price and complexity brought to the table by Windows can become barriers.

Conclusion

After a week of testing, I can say that the ROG Xbox Ally X is the most capable gaming handheld I've used so far. It's a rare combination of power, versatility, and portability, a mini-PC that transforms into a console and vice versa. Performance is excellent, the screen is decent, and the freedom of Windows 11 software offers unlimited possibilities, if you're a Windows fan.

However, this freedom comes at a cost. The materials are not at the level of a premium product, the battery life is pretty much what you'd expect, and the setup experience isn't easily digestible. It's a device for those who want total control, who know how to adjust their settings, and who are willing to accept that portable perfection has not yet been achieved.

The ROG Xbox Ally X is, without a doubt, a demonstration of technological prowess. ASUS offers us a device that redefines what a gaming handheld can be, but it comes at a high price, in money and patience. For some, it will be the ideal console. For others, it will just be a reminder that between performance and refinement there is still a fine line that even the biggest players in the industry sometimes tread with hesitation.

Thanks to ASUS Romania for the opportunity to test the ROG Xbox Ally X!

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