The long-awaited collaboration between Xbox and ASUS has finally arrived with the release of the ROG Xbox Ally X.

While the previous ROG Ally X was a stellar gaming experience, this team-up between two gaming juggernauts significantly improves the already great handheld console by enhancing the ergonomics and creating a new user interface that's so good at getting you into your games sooner.

There's a lot of overlap between the two models. You can read our in-depth review of the ROG Xbox Ally right here, which covers a lot of the physical and software changes (we won't repeat those in this article).

If gaming is your passion. And if you're flush with cash, then the ROG Xbox Ally X already delivers an amazing experience – and the upcoming enhancements will make you happy you upgraded to the top-tier model.

ROG Xbox Ally X One Paraphgraph Review

Let's cut to the chase: Playing games on this thing is awesome. It's got more processing power and memory than anything this small has a right to have, all while improving the user experience, thanks to a dedicated Xbox interface. To get this, you'll have to shell out a lot of cash and trust that some of the early hurdles (game optimization, docked experience, and more) will improve over time. Having said that, at launch, this console is coming out of the gate strong, while targeting the elite gamer who is willing to pay for the best experience possible.

Xbox and Handheld PCs The Current Landscape

The gaming space has become a complicated, tiered industry full of choice in hardware and software platforms. If you are not paying attention to it for a few months, the landscape shifts, and there are new hardware and software offerings, pushing past the previous iteration's fidelity, options, and access.

In the current market, Xbox has had a bit of a rough ride through a combination of price increases, layoffs, and explaining their new multi-platform strategy to their die-hard Xbox fanbase.

To their credit, the Xbox team has created an environment in which you can find and play Xbox games on more hardware and services than ever before.

This is a huge advantage to the consumer who owns a Sony or Nintendo console, or even just a smartphone with a Bluetooth controller. In Microsoft's words, "This is an Xbox," we as gamers can now realize the advantages of this strategy in our everyday gaming practices.

This is where the new ASUS and Xbox hardware collaboration enters the market.

The ASUS-produced ROG XBOX Ally and ROG XBOX Ally X are essentially handheld PCs, but they bury the Windows operating system under a much more appealing Xbox user interface, putting your games front and centre.

They mostly succeed in their efforts with the Xbox Ally and Ally X, providing a familiar Xbox experience with a ton of new gaming options. So, now that we have the backstory, let's dig into what makes the Ally X so special.

Xbox Ally X Features and Impressions

The Xbox Ally X maximizes the specs by stuffing this machine with as much battery, an advanced AMD AI processor, and as much memory as can be squeezed into a device small enough to slide into your backpack.

Here's a quick breakdown of what you're getting with the ROG Xbox Ally X:

• Processor: AMD RyzenAI Z2 Extreme Processor
• Memory: 24GB LPDDR5X-8000
• Storage: 1TB M.2 2280 SSD
• Display: 7" FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9 120Hz refresh rate
  • AMD FreeSync Premium (Variable Refresh Rate)
  • Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection
• Battery: 80Wh
• Ports:
  • 1x USB4 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0, Thunderbolt 4 compatible
  • 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 2.1 / Power Delivery 3.0
  • 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC; UHS-I with DDR200 mode)
  • 1x3.5mmCombo Audio Jack

Of the two models, the X edition is the one designed for performance. But the user experience will look the same on both, thanks to possibly the most important innovation with this specific console, the clumsily named but sleek to navigate Xbox Full Window Mode.

Xbox Mode on the ROG Xbox Ally X

The new Xbox-centric user interface on the Ally X is possibly enough for some people to justify trading in their old Ally or other handheld gaming PC.

In "Xbox Full Window Mode," users boot up into a home console-like interface. It makes it so easy to browse through Xbox games, view recent titles (across libraries), shop, and more. This is all happening while Windows 11 is running in the background but is deliberately suppressed to keep the games at the forefront, both visually and resource-wise.

Gamers control the user interface of this handheld PC with the built-in controller inputs. Rather than having to use the touch screen to select options in tiny text or enter passwords/pins on a cumbersome onscreen keyboard, we can now use the built-in controller to provide the input, assisting in simple navigation.

This is a huge advantage over the existing Windows based handheld control schemes and puts the gamer one step closer to a console experience on a PC.

Yes, these devices run on the Windows 11 operating system. Your first reaction to this might be to stop reading or leave the room because you are not a PC gamer.

The Xbox and ASUS teams have considered this barrier to entry and created what is essentially a bridge device between the traditional game console and PC gaming.

One of the primary innovations leading to the simple navigation of the user interface is the redesigned Windows 11 full screen mode. For the Xbox Ally devices, Microsoft ensures that Windows 11 focuses on gaming, so more system resources are reserved for gaming, and the player can use the built-in controller to move through Windows and Xbox menus.

This makes the Xbox Ally experience feel more like a game console and less like a PC. One example of this innovation is the ability to log in to the device with your Windows pin using the onboard controller, eliminating the need for touchscreen input. You can also unlock the device with the fingerprint reader on the power button.

ROG Xbox Ally X Games and Titles (and the ease of finding 'em)

Since the Xbox Ally device is essentially a PC, you can install all your favorite gaming platforms. Whether you want to play games on Steam, Epic, GOG, or Xbox Gamepass, the Xbox Ally devices allow you to access these game catalogues and your gaming libraries.

The new Xbox full screen UI is intuitive and inclusive. If Steam is installed on your device, you can see your Steam and Xbox games from your game library in the Xbox app menu. You can launch a Steam game from your game library, and if you are logged into Steam and have set the game's launcher not to display every time you access the game, a few seconds later, your Steam game is presented, and you are ready to play.

This likely won't be a consistent experience across all third-party gaming platforms and games, but it seemed to work for the most part during testing. It is likely that Microsoft will refine this experience as time goes on.

The multiple layers of user interfaces can be confusing if you are not familiar with the different game service platforms (Steam, Epic, GOG), Windows, and the ASUS Armory Crate software.

It is a requirement to understand these different platforms at least on a basic level. PC gamers should be used to this, but if you are coming from a console and have no prior experience, the barrier to entry may be slightly daunting.

However, Microsoft has made some decent progress with their new UI, and the simpler experience is a step in the right direction.

ROG Xbox Ally X Ergonomics and Display in the Real World

In terms of ergonomics, the Xbox Ally is great. It feels remarkably lightweight and comfortable to hold, allowing for extended gaming sessions without discomfort. I felt as if I was holding an actual Xbox controller.

The device display is bright and clear in normal room lighting, but it suffers a bit in direct sunlight on maximum brightness. It is a good display but is not a comparison for the Steam Deck's OLED panel, which offers richer colours and deeper black tones.

The device audio is quite good. It is certainly loud enough to hear even in a busy room and provides enough fullness for quality experiences. I found the onboard speakers even helped with the gaming experience in games like Doom: The Dark Ages, where music is such an integral part of the gaming experience.

The button placement is mostly positive, but the Xbox pause button is oddly located below the button that returns you to the Xbox full screen desktop. Several times, I tried to pause a game but accidentally opened the Xbox app instead. I wish these buttons were reversed, but maybe there is some software customization that can be adjusted to logically flip them.

Using the familiar Xbox button to the left of the display allows you to switch between open applications, close applications and games, and enter the full Windows desktop, if you want to use the device as a computer or require the full Windows desktop experience.

Task Switcher allows you to quickly flip between a running game and anything else you might want to have on-the-go (Discord, a browser with a walkthrough, whatever) and works very smoothly by sliding your finger up from the bottom of the screen and then using the console's buttons to switch between windows.

This device lacks the Xbox quick resume features enjoyed on the Xbox Series consoles. It offers a low-power sleep mode, allowing you to continue a game where you left off by pressing the power button. However, resuming games is unreliable; games often become unresponsive, requiring a restart. These issues may improve with future updates, or maybe it's just because I've been using this device pre-release, but currently, this is a frustrating part of the experience.

ROG Xbox Ally X Gameplay Testing and Performance

I installed and tested the performance of a few AAA games. I chose Doom: The Dark Ages and Sony's Spider-Man Miles Morales for extended play sessions. I also ran performance tests with CD Project Red's Cyberpunk 2077.

One of the key advantages to pushing visual fidelity on these types of handheld devices is the existence of low-power modes and options. With low-power profile options, we get better battery life. However, to push game visual fidelity, these devices require the use of Machine Learning and Frame Generation technologies to scale the games visuals dynamically in low-power modes.

The use of AMD's FSR 3 Machine Learning and Frame Generation provide smoother experiences, in terms of average frame rates and aids the retention of visual quality. It's basically a constant trade-off between power and image quality.

It is important to note that the games I tested are all considered AAA experiences that require a certain level of power to achieve higher levels of visual fidelity. While playing indie games and smaller AA titles, you can expect longer battery life and have the capability to push high graphics settings without trading performance.

If you are not used to configuring graphics settings and are moving from a traditional console to a handheld PC, like the XBOX Ally X, most games will default to visual settings that provide a quality gaming experience on your device without having to play around in the menus. However, if you have experience with graphics settings and options, you can spend a considerable amount of time setting up each game exactly to your preference and devices capabilities.

The Xbox Ally X allows you to easily select your desired power profile mode in the pop-up menu of the ASUS Armory Crate software, which is always accessible from a dedicated button to the left of the display. The top power mode outputs 25 watts, but at the sacrifice of battery life.

For the purposes of my testing, I opted to use the "Performance" power mode at 17 watts. I found that even when playing Doom: The Dark Ages in this power mode on low visual settings with FSR and frame generation enabled, I was still maintaining approximately 70 frames per second, which is more than enough to produce a quality gaming experience. The achievable frame rate at this video configuration seemed to be almost the same at 25 watts, give or take a few frames.

At these power settings, Doom: The Dark Ages displayed clear and detailed environments and game objects at a native resolution of 1080p. Doom: The Dark Ages is not an easy game to push higher fidelity, especially on a handheld device. As you move up in the graphics options, the lower your frame rate will be, and the game environment will render and stream at lower resolutions and clarity.

Essentially, you will experience a lesser visual quality the higher you try to go in the graphics settings and power options. The fact that Doom plays as well as it does on the Xbox Ally X is a testament to the scalability of modern AAA game design.

When comparing the Xbox Ally X to the older model of Ally X (non-Xbox version), I found that at the same visual settings, Doom: The Dark Ages was averaging 62 to 65 frames per second. This would occasionally drop into the 50-fps range. Doom still ran smoothly on the older Ally X, but you could tell that the Xbox Ally X has a more competent APU to process additional game fidelity.

Starting from a full charge on the battery, I was able to play Doom: The Dark Ages for approximately 2.5 hours before the battery was depleted and required charging.

Next, I booted up Sony's Spider-Man Miles Morales from my Xbox game library. I would like to highlight that having the ability to launch a Sony published Playstation game from an Xbox branded console is remarkable. It feels a bit odd doing this the first time, and I had to laugh at this loophole that the Xbox team has provided to us. In this situation, the slogan, "This is an Xbox" takes on new meaning.

I was pleasantly surprised by the visual quality Mile Morales defaulted to in the settings and at the smoothness of its gameplay. The game was set to 1080p resolution, with most visual options set at "high". FSR and Frame Generation were also enabled. I also took the time to enable raytracing features at medium settings for shadows and high settings for reflections. These settings resulted in a mostly steady 60fps, except in cutscenes where the frame rate occasionally dropped into the 30s.

The Xbox Ally X handled Miles Morales easily, and it was a highly enjoyable experience. From a full battery, playing Miles Morales allowed for 2.5 hours of gameplay before the battery died.

I also ran the Cyberpunk 2077 game through performance testing. I changed the power profile in the Armory Crate pop-up menu to 25 watts to push more power to the device. I ran the test at 1080p resolution, in medium to high settings, with medium texture quality, low crowd density, FSR 3 (balanced) and Frame generation enabled.

Without Raytracing enabled, I was able to get a 75fps average. With Raytraced lighting enabled, the cost of performance took the frame rate to 45fps on average. When taking the texture quality to high, disabling Raytracing, and setting the crowd density to medium, I achieved an average framerate of 74.5. At these framerates and visual settings Cyberpunk 2077 is a highly playable experience.

The Bottom Line Is the ROG Xbox Ally X Worth It?

The ROG Xbox Ally X is a competent gaming device, feels comfortable to play, while offering the ability to play AAA and Indie games with satisfying performance and visual fidelity.

The biggest change compared to previous Ally consoles is the new Xbox user interface. Which may sound like a small thing, but, honestly, it just makes the whole experience of sitting down to game more inviting since you feel like there's a little less tinkering (even though you can tinker all you want in Armoury). Admittedly, there are fewer titles that seem to be perfectly optimized at launch, but many are set up to run well, and I assume this will improve over time.

ROG Xbox Ally X

The ROG Xbox Ally X comes in at a premium price, but it also delivers a premium gaming experience. It does an excellent job of removing barriers and friction points of mobile gaming on a Windows-powered device to make the user feel like they have a dedicated gaming handheld. At launch, there are many great features, but based on upcoming software updates in 2026, the console looks like it will continue to improve from an already strong starting position.

• From $1299 at ASUS Store

And on that "over time" note, Xbox has detailed some helpful and practical changes that will be coming in the following months.

Automatic Super Resolution sounds like a big one, which will leverage the Neural Processing Unit (only available on the processor in the X model, not the base model) to upscale games running at lower resolution.

You'll be able to pull up AI-captured and created highlight reels from key moments of game play. The docking experience is also supposed to be improved, so you don't have to deal with the current fiddling around to optimize for an external monitor that's a different resolution and aspect ratio than the built-in one on the Ally X (they say "seamless" but we'll see).

Further improvements will be coming related to saved games and managing games on SD cards.

For the first time, we are able to access Playstation games published to PC stores from an Xbox-branded device, and it feels great to have platform restrictions removed through a unifying device like the Xbox Ally and Ally X.

Not everything is as optimized as it should be, and there are certainly some improvements to be made, in terms of user interface navigation and application/game stability.

Because of the high price point, this isn't likely a device you'll see every single video game enthusiast using. But, for those who want a slick experience to launch and browse their game library, the very best specs coming together in a console that feels so great in your hands, or the Xbox console enthusiast who felt like there were too many barriers between them and PC gaming handhelds, this is the console that could change all that.

The ROG Xbox Ally X shows the very best of what can happen when companies listen to feedback from their community and use it to reimagine a better software and hardware experience for all.

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