Asus ROG Xbox Ally X doesn't fix Windows 11 on handhelds, but it's a step in the right direction

Date:
Wed, 15 Oct 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X isnt the long-rumored handheld Xbox console people have been waiting for (despite the name), but it is a solid evolution of one of the best PC gaming handhelds.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Asus
ROG Xbox Ally X: Two-minute review

When the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (and its less powerful, slightly more
affordable ROG Xbox Ally) handhelds were announced earlier this year , it
came as a bit of a surprise.

For years, there had been rumors that Microsoft was working on an
Xbox-focused handheld games console . The success of Nintendos handheld/home console hybrid Switch (and its follow-up, the Switch 2 ), plus the emergence of PC gaming handhelds like the Steam Deck , made those rumors seem even more likely.

However, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X was a surprise because, despite the name, this is not a handheld Xbox console. Its, in fact, yet another PC gaming handheld with Xbox branding and a few choice upgrades. This is not a bespoke bit of hardware built from the ground up with a dedicated gaming operating system that finally brings the ease-of-use of games consoles to PC gaming handhelds. Instead, its hardware is very similar to the existing Asus ROG
Ally X , a powerful gaming handheld I reviewed last year, but it still uses that awkward combination of Windows 11 (an operating system designed for traditional PCs and laptops) with a console-like interface placed over it to make launching games using the handheld's controls easier. Where to buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds (Image credit: Xbox/Microsoft/Asus) If you're looking for the latest information and retailer links for where to buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handhelds, then our full guide has you covered.

In fact, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X actually makes it a bit more awkward as it adds two interface overlays on top of Windows 11 Asus Armoury Crate
software, like its Ally and Ally X predecessors, which can be used to launch games, as well as the new Xbox Full Screen Experience, which adds a console-like interface to Windows 11. All of these extra layers, while essential for making Windows 11 usable on a handheld device, mean that the slick experience of using a console is again missing from the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, especially when you start needing to update different bits of
software at different times. (Image credit: Future)

Maybe even more surprising is that this collaboration comes at a time when
the Xbox brand is arguably at its lowest ebb. Poor sales of the Xbox Series S/X consoles , no true exclusive games, a spate of studio closures and
layoffs , and huge price increases to Xbox Game Pass have led to some fans
and critics wondering just how much of a future Xbox has ( despite Microsoft denying it was exiting the console business ).

It almost seems like the Xbox brand could hinder the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X
more than help it. Not just because of the negativity around the brand at the moment, but because, like other PC gaming handhelds, your enjoyment of this device will depend a lot on your expectations, and I worry that the Xbox connection could lead to people going in with the wrong expectations.

So, this isnt a handheld console with games and software designed to maximise performance on a set hardware configuration, and sold at a loss to keep
prices down and increase adoption.

Instead, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is very much a premium PC gaming handheld, with all the pros and cons that brings.

For existing fans of PC gaming handhelds, like myself, that means a huge amount of flexibility, especially if youre comfortable with leaving the console-like interface and digging into Windows 11 for some good
old-fashioned tweaking. So, you can install other game launchers, games from various sources, and as the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is running the full version of Windows 11, you can even install desktop applications such as Microsoft Office.

Hook it up to a USB-C dock, including Asus own ROG Bulwark Dock, and youll be able to attach any peripheral (including monitors and TVs) that works with Windows PCs, rather than having to rely on officially licensed (and therefore expensive) accessories. You can even uninstall Windows 11 and install a rival operating system, such as the Linux-based SteamOS. These are all things youd never be able to do with the Switch 2, or (Im fairly sure) any future
official Xbox handheld console.

On the cons side of things, being a PC gaming handheld means dealing with an operating system that still isnt fully designed to be used with a handheld device, and this can mean menus and dialogue boxes opening with text thats
too small to read on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally Xs 7-inch screen, and some parts of the interface that are tricky to navigate via touch or controller. Usual
PC annoyances, like various update requests and the occasional crash, are
also present, and while PC gamers will no doubt roll their eyes and boot the game back up, console-only gamers probably wont be as forgiving. (Image credit: Future)

For example, while playing Cyberpunk 2077 on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (which initially involved me going through the Xbox app to launch Steam in Big Picture Mode another interface to then launch the game), Windows 11s
command prompt window opened up and loads of text appeared on the screen, before disappearing. As someone used to PC gaming, I wasnt too annoyed. Obviously, some app was updating in the background, but it did mean that I could no longer control the game until I had made Windows 11 focus back on
the games window. During that time, I was killed by enemies (in-game, I
should add).

For a PC gamer, this is a frustration, but nothing too out of the ordinary. For a console gamer used to how things work with Nintendo or Sony consoles, this could be a truly baffling ordeal that makes them not want to pick up the device again.

It also means that to get the best gaming performance from the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, youre going to have to do some tweaking to a games graphical
settings. For seasoned PC gamers, this isnt a problem and for some, its even part of the fun. For people used to consoles, where games are made to a limited number of hardware specifications, developers can set these options
so the game launches with the best combination of graphical settings and performance. If you buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X knowing that this is a handheld gaming PC, you might not be disappointed, but as I mentioned
earlier, the use of the Xbox brand might mean people arent getting what they expected.

Graphically demanding open-world games like Cyberpunk 2077 proved to be too much for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, unless you seriously drop some of the graphical settings. However, games like Forza Horizon 5 run brilliantly without too many compromises made to graphics settings, and less graphically demanding (yet still great-looking) games such as Hades II and Hollow Knight really shine.

However, perhaps the biggest stumbling block for people expecting a handheld console, rather than a handheld gaming PC, is that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X comes with an incredibly high price tag - $999.99 / 799.99 / AU$1,599. Even the more affordable ROG Xbox Ally still comes with a $599.99 / 499.99 /
AU$999 price tag.

In comparison, the Nintendo Switch 2 starts at $449.99 / 395.99 / AU$699.95, while the Xbox Series X (a much more powerful device) launched at $499 / 449
/ AU$749.

In the context of handheld gaming PCs (and PC gaming in general), however,
the price isnt quite as much of a shock (though that doesnt make it any
better value). The ROG Ally X launched at $799.99 / 799 / AU$1,599, while the MSI Claw 8 AI+ costs $999, and neither of these arent quite as powerful as
the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. Youd also be hard-pressed to find a gaming laptop
or gaming PC for under $1,000 these days.

While it's probably the best premium handheld device on the market, because
of the high price and the feeling that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X still fails
to offer a truly console-like experience, this is a niche product in an increasingly competitive space, and the Xbox tie-in wont be quite enough to make it stand out. Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Price & availability How much does
it cost? Starts at $999.99 / 799.99 / AU$1,599 When is it available? Goes on sale October 15, 2025 Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X goes on sale on October 15, 2025, for $999.99 / 799.99 / AU$1,599. This is an incredibly high price tag for a console, though its becoming increasingly common for handheld gaming PCs.

The Nintendo Switch 2, for example, starts at around half the price at
$449.99 / 395.99 / AU$699.95. Even premium consoles like the PS5 Pro come in
a lot cheaper at $699.99 / 699.99 / AU$1,199.

While the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is more powerful than the Switch 2, offers portability that the PS5 Pro lacks, and features the versatility of a gaming PC (youre not tied to a single storefront, can install full Windows 11 applications and even new operating systems) that consoles lack, it means for people expect console-like prices for a gaming device branded with the Xbox logo, the actual price will come as a shock.

To soften the blow somewhat, theres also the lower-powered ROG Xbox Ally, which costs $599.99 / 499.99 / AU$999 and puts it closer to the Nintendo Switch.

In the Asus ROG Xbox Ally Xs favor, PC games are usually cheaper than console editions, and because youre not tied to a single store, you can shop around for the best deals. Valves Steam, for example, often has huge sales, while
the Epic Games Store gives away free games every week. Over the years, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X could end up costing you less than a Nintendo Switch. (Image credit: Future)

Due to the Xbox branding, its no surprise that the Xbox app that acts as the main interface pushes Microsofts Xbox store, and makes a big deal of Game Pass, Microsofts game subscription service, which was once dubbed the best deal in gaming.

Once is the operative word here, as Microsofts recent price hikes of Game
Pass couldnt really have come at a worse time, as it no longer feels like the huge deal it once was. Game Pass for PC now costs $16.49 / 13.49 / AU$19.45 per month, and while there are cheaper Game Pass tiers that include PC games, it feels like this is a service that will continue to offer less value.

Meanwhile, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X seems a bit more competitively priced compared to PC gaming handhelds though its still one of the most expensive you can buy. The ROG Ally X launched at $799.99 / 799 / AU$1,599, while the much lower-powered Steam Deck OLED costs $549 / 479 / AU$899.

As with other gaming PC handhelds, if youve already got a substantial library on Steam or Epic Games Store, for example, youll be able to install and play them on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X without having to buy them again, which, again, could help lower the overall cost of the ROG Xbox Ally X over its lifespan. Xbox owners should also be able to play their games without having to rebuy them, and if youre already subscribed to Game Pass, you can now use that subscription for both consoles and PC (even the cheapest Essential
tier). Value: 2 / 5 Asus ROG Xbox Ally X Specs

There are two versions available: the high-end ROG Xbox Ally X and the more affordable ROG Xbox Ally. Asus ROG Ally X specs

Component

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X

Asus ROG Xbox Ally

Display

7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9

120Hz refresh rate

AMD FreeSync Premium (Variable Refresh Rate)

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection

7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9

120Hz refresh rate

AMD FreeSync Premium (Variable Refresh Rate)

Corning Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC Anti-Reflection

CPU

Octa-core AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor

Quad-core AMD Ryzen Z2 A Processor

Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

RAM

24GB LPDDR5X-8000

16GB LPDDR5-6400

Storage

1TB M.2 SSD

512GB M.2 SSD

Port selection

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), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack

2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C with DisplayPort 1.4 / Power Delivery 3.0, 1x UHS-II microSD card reader (supports SD, SDXC and SDHC), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack

Weight

715g

670g

Dimensions

290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm (WxDxH)

290.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm

Battery

80Wh

60Wh Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Design Similar design to Asus ROG Ally X Grips
make a big difference to comfort microSD slot makes adding more capacity easy

Despite the branding, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is first and foremost clearly an ROG Ally device, and that means it share a lot of the design with the ROG Ally X. This includes the non-symmetrical analogue thumb sticks on either
side of the screen (with LED rings around each one), left-hand D-pad, face buttons (X, Y, B and A, all in the same location, though not colored, unlike the ROG Ally X), front-facing speaker grilles, top USB-C ports, microSD port, volume controls and a power button that includes a fingerprint reader.

Triggers and bumpers are all in the same place, as are the Command Center, View, Library, and Menu buttons, so if youre used to playing on a ROG Ally, youll find the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X very familiar. Asus ROG branding is still present on the body and on the bezel beneath the screen.

One of the biggest changes to the design is the addition of the Xbox button
to the left of the Command Center and View buttons. While the Command Center button opens up Asus Armoury Crate interface to launch games, the Xbox button opens up Windows 11s Xbox Game Bar, which lets you change settings and launch games from there. A long press of the button brings up the Task View, which lets you swap between open apps and games using the controls, which is handy. (Image credit: Future)

Other than that, the Xbox button does a very similar job to the Command
Center button it just opens a different overlay.

The biggest difference in design, however, is with the two grips on either side of the ROG Xbox Ally X (and the non-X version), rather than the curved
90 degree angled corners of the Ally X. These make the ROG Xbox Ally X look and feel more like a game controller, and while Im pretty used to the more boxy design of the standard ROG Ally X (which is similar to most PC gaming handhelds, including the Steam Deck), the grips make a big difference to how comfortable the ROG Xbox Ally X is.

Playing Sonic Generations (thanks to its mashup of classic 2D platforming and modern 3D, its a great game for playing on these powerful handhelds, especially for those of us who always dreamed of a follow-up to the Sega Game Gear handheld) felt comfortable and intuitive on the ROG Xbox Ally X, with
the responsive-feeling buttons in easy-to-reach locations. I also found that the grips helped with overall comfort when playing, as it meant the corners
of the device werent resting in my palms, as with the Ally X. The grips also meant it didnt feel like my palms were taking the brunt of the weight of the ROG Xbox Ally X instead the weight felt much better distributed, reducing fatigue during long play sessions. (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to the 7-inch screen, its not the best youre going to find on a handheld, but games look good.

The 1080p resolution hits the sweet spot between graphical fidelity without stressing out the hardware. Its 120Hz refresh rate and support for AMD FreeSync Premium Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) mean fast-paced games look and feel snappy and responsive, and during my time, I saw no sign of screen tearing in the games I played.

However, the IPS panel pales in comparison to the OLED panels found in the likes of the Steam Deck OLED. This means colors arent as vibrant, and
contrast levels arent as striking. Viewing angles are also diminished, with the colors getting a bit more washed out when youre not looking at the screen directly from the front. Of course, as this is a handheld device, thats not much of an issue, as youll be holding and viewing the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X directly in front of yourself, but anyone hoping for a premium display to go alongside the other high-end components in the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, as well as its very high price, may be disappointed. Design: 4 / 5 Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Performance Better performance than ROG Ally X Best suited to less graphically-intensive games Xbox Fullscreen Experience doesnt fix my main issues with Windows 11 on gaming handhelds Benchmarks Here is how the Asus
ROG Xbox Ally X performed in our suite of benchmark tests : 3DMark Port
Royal: 2,006; Fire Strike: 9,141; Time Spy: 4,033
GeekBench 6.5: 2,788 (single-core) ; 12,883 (multi-core)
F1 23 1080p (Ultra) 14fps
Cyberpunk 2077: 1080p (Ultra) 8.49fps
Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 7:53:15 hours
PCMark 10 Battery Life (Gaming): 2:56 hours

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is noteworthy for being one of the first handhelds (along with the MSI Claw A8 ), which features AMDs latest Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, which has been built from the ground up for handheld PCs (the Xbox Ally comes with the lower-powered AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor).

The Z2 Extreme aims to offer a tempting mix of high performance and high efficiency, so modern games should run well without the battery depleting too fast. The 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM is certainly very generous (its more than a lot of gaming laptops come with), which keeps Windows 11 and all the various different launchers and interfaces feeling reasonably spritely. It even means multiple games can be open at once, making it quick to switch between them, though this has big repercussions for the performance and battery life of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X. (Image credit: Future)

The Z2 Extreme isnt just a processor; it also has an integrated graphics processor. As far as integrated GPUs go, the Z2 Extreme is impressive,
powered by AMDs RDNA 3.5 technology, which again has been designed for gaming handhelds.

While this has exciting implications for the gaming performance of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X (and other handhelds powered by the Z2 Extreme chip), its
also important to keep expectations in check. If youre a PC gamer, youll know that an integrated GPU will not provide as much performance as a discrete (dedicated) graphics card, and while its obvious that Asus was never going to be able to fit a desktop-class GPU into a portable handheld, laptop GPUs have come a huge way in recent years, allowing the best gaming laptops to rival gaming PCs when it comes to game performance. (Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

The reason I bring this up is again to set expectations correctly. With its integrated graphics, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X simply cant offer the same kind of gaming performance that a gaming laptop around the same price (dont
forget, this thing retails for around $1,000) can achieve when playing demanding triple-A games.

For example, I loaded up Cyberpunk 2077 , and on the default graphics settings, the game felt sluggish and unresponsive. Changing the graphical settings to the Steam Deck preset, which was added to the game to make it run on a much less powerful handheld, got better results, with the game hitting
an average of 30fps, which is playable, though not exceptional.

When compared to the Acer Nitro V 15 , a budget gaming laptop thats far from the most powerful laptop, and costs around the same price, youre looking at around 230fps, with higher quality graphics settings.

Of course, its undeniably impressive that a game like Cyberpunk 2077 can run at all on a device that you can hold in your hands, but its also clear that
if you want pure gaming performance for your money, youre better off getting
a gaming laptop.

A lot of the premium price tag is because of the handheld factor, and while its certainly a more portable and convenient way of playing PC games than a gaming laptop, youll have to weigh up if thats enough to sacrifice gaming performance. When the Steam Deck launched in 2022, this sacrifice was much easier to make, as the handheld cost $399 / 349 for the model with the least amount of storage space, while the high-end model cost $649 / 569. The lesser performance was far easier to swallow as there simply was no competition not just because PC gaming handhelds were in their infancy, but because there
were no gaming PCs or laptops at that price point.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has a much harder job of justifying its price there are more handhelds to choose from, for a start, with Asus main rivals such as Acer, Lenovo, and MSI all having their own handhelds on the market, not to mention the recent Nintendo Switch 2.

The $999.99 / 799.99 / AU$1,599 price tag also means that there are gaming laptops that are viable alternatives.

In our benchmark tests, running Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p at Ultra settings,
the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X managed a very spotty 8.49fps. The older ROG Ally X managed 4.94fps in the same test. Now, you could say thats a near doubling of performance, but when the results are still that low, thats not saying much. F1 2023 showed similar results, with the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X hitting 14fps
at 1080p and the highest settings, while the Ally X scored 7fps.

While running these games at such high settings is done for stress testing
the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, in reality, you shouldnt be trying to play these games with everything set to max, and with a bit of tweaking, these games can run much better, but at the cost of graphical quality. These benchmarks do show, however, that the Z2 Extreme chip offers a boost to performance over
the Z1 Extreme in the ROG Ally X, at least. The performance difference isnt enough, however, for ROG Ally X owners to feel like they need to upgrade.

The relatively disappointing AAA performance shouldnt come as much of a surprise to anyone keeping an eye on PC gaming handhelds, but for newcomers who see the Xbox branding, along with the very high price tag, might expect a level of game performance that will lead to disappointment.

Forza Horizon 5 was a much better experience, with the optimized settings of the game allowing for solid and fluid performance whilst also looking really good, and is a fine showcase for the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X excels, as with other gaming handhelds, with less graphically demanding games, especially from indie developers. Hades 2 , for example, looks, plays, and sounds (thanks to the Asus ROG Xbox Ally Xs powerful speakers) utterly fantastic, as does Hollow Knight.

Games that focus on art direction rather than pushing the envelope when it comes to cutting-edge graphics, along with gameplay that suits the kind of pick up and play style that a lot of us use handhelds for, really do shine on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, and thanks to its support for a large range of stores, including Steam, Epic Games Store and GOG.com, you have access to thousands of great indie games, some of which you might have otherwise not played.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is also a great device for revisiting older games, and no other gaming platform has the back catalogue of PC. As I mentioned earlier, playing Sonic Generations on the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X was a
brilliant experience with fast, fluid action and graphics that still look great on a 7-inch screen.

As with many other PC gaming handhelds, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X runs on Windows 11, and as I said in my ROG Ally X review, Microsofts operating
system just isnt suitable for gaming handhelds. (Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X attempts to fix that with the Xbox full screen experience an interface similar to the one found on Xbox consoles, and therefore much better suited to gamepad controllers (rather than a mouse and keyboard). Because the usual Windows 11 experience is so poor on gaming handhelds, this was the most exciting part of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X for
me.

However, while its a move in the right direction, the Xbox full-screen experience doesnt go far enough and ends up being a disappointment.

This is because, rather than a bespoke version of Windows 11 designed for handhelds, which many of us have been wanting, the Xbox full-screen
experience still runs on the standard Windows 11 operating system, and the Xbox full-screen experience is simply a full-screen app that opens on
startup. If you stay within the Xbox full-screen experience, using it to buy games and launch games youve bought from the Microsoft Store, the experience isnt bad at all. (Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

However, there are still times when Windows 11 makes its presence known, usually when theres a new update or the operating system encounters a
problem. Youre then left trying to work with an interface designed for larger screens, and a mouse and keyboard combo, by jabbing the touchscreen.

There are some nice features of the Xbox Full Screen Experience I particularly liked the idea behind the Handheld Compatibility Program, which highlights games in the Xbox Store that are optimized for gaming handhelds, and by loading them up, their settings should be configured so you can get playing without having to tweak.

Its similar to what Valve does with its SteamOS operating system, with Steam Deck Verified games, and its a great way to bring a console-like simplicity
to running games. Meanwhile, Windows Performance Fit is designed to give you an idea of how well a game will play on your device (in this case, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X) without having to look into specifications and minimum requirements (something us PC gamers are fine with). (Image credit: Future / Microsoft)

The reason why I say I like the idea behind these features, rather than
liking the features themselves, is that while reviewing the Asus ROG Xbox
Ally X, most games I checked out in the Xbox Store didnt have a rating for
the Handheld Compatibility Program. This is something that will probably come later as the Xbox team works to validate games. To be fair, thats the same thing that happened with Valve it took quite a few months before enough
games were given a Steam Deck Verified status for the feature to be useful.

Another issue is that this only seems to work with games on sale from the
Xbox Store. Microsoft has, to its credit, allowed you to launch games that youve bought from rival stores, but it does feel like youre not getting the full experience. None of the games from other stores appear to be part of the Handheld Compatibility Program, and icons are very basic; theres no
additional information about the games. For games bought from the Xbox Store, you get much nicer-looking icons, and the game pages that open when you
launch the game are full of information.

Essentially, you feel like youre being punished slightly for buying a game from anywhere other than the Xbox Store.

Buying from another store also means opening a new app, sometimes one thats not designed for a handheld. Steam, at least, has its Big Picture Mode, but that means you have yet another, different interface running.

Asus own Armoury Crate SE interface, found in the regular ROG Ally handhelds, is also present and correct, and for some tasks, you need to use that. It can all get a bit confusing, and it is a far cry from the unified experience that consoles offer. Valve, with its custom SteamOS operating system, comes
closest to this, but youre limited to Steam games unless you start tweaking.

Because Ive been playing on my ROG Ally X for quite a while, Ive come to appreciate Armoury Crate SE. Its not the best-looking interface, but it works with a controller and lets you run games from various sources, which means
the Xbox Fullscreen Experience feels a bit superfluous, adding yet another interface on top of others.

Its understandable that the Xbox interface pushes you to buy through the Xbox store, but be prepared to also get other Microsoft services forced onto you. Unsurprisingly, Game Pass is highlighted throughout the interface, and theres a dedicated menu item for it. Theres also a Cloud gaming part of the interface, but this is exclusively for Xbox Cloud Gaming which is a part of Game Pass. Adverts for games on the Xbox Store also appear on the home
screen, and theres a dedicated Xbox Store section of the interface as well.

This is all fine in principle Valve does similar with SteamOS and if you
are already part of Microsofts Xbox ecosystem and signed up to the likes of Game Pass, then this interface will likely work really well.

But if youve got a big Steam library, are subscribed to a rival cloud gaming platform like GeForce Now, and have no interest in Game Pass, then youll
again feel like youre not getting the whole benefit of the Xbox Fullscreen Experience. You can run all of those, but youd be better off using the
Armoury Crate SE interface, which sort of undermines some of the Asus ROG
Xbox Ally Xs selling points.

Overall, the performance of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X when gaming is good but doesnt blow away the competition (especially with demanding games), and outside of gaming, the problems with Windows 11 persist. The new Xbox Full Screen Experience is welcome (and is coming to other handhelds in the
future), but its yet another overlay, rather than a brand-new operating system, and its usefulness will depend on how invested in the Xbox ecosystem you are. Performance: 4 / 5 (Image credit: Future) Asus ROG Xbox Ally X: Battery life Improved power efficiency Lasts just under three hours of intensive gaming

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip inside the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has been designed to offer a balance between performance and energy efficiency, which means performance when using the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X on battery is better than the Z1 Extreme of the Ally X.

As with the Ally X, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X features different Operating Modes which change the amount of power the handheld uses depending on certain situations. For the most part, it uses the Turbo setting, which runs the Z2 Extreme at 25W, giving more performance but at the cost of battery life (it automatically switches to this mode when plugged in, as obviously then
battery life isnt an issue). Theres also Performance mode and Windows mode, which both run at 17W, and Silent mode, which offers the longest battery
life, but at the cost of performance.

You can switch between these modes by pressing the Command Center button to bring up the Armory Crate interface and selecting the mode you want. This is
a pretty easy process, but it does highlight the issue I have with the addition of the Xbox Fullscreen Experience while you can use that interface for various tasks, you cant use it to switch power modes, you need to use Armoury Crate, so rather than getting a unified and cohesive interface, you end up having a more disjointed experience as you switch between the various interfaces.

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X comes with an 80Wh battery (the ROG Xbox Ally has a smaller 60Wh battery), and along with Armory Crates power profiles, the Xbox full-screen experience has been designed to pause certain processes and
tasks, making Windows 11 use less power when youre playing games.

All of this work to make the battery of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X last as long as possible is great to see, as short battery lives are a common complaint with PC gaming handhelds, and to keep these devices as portable as possible, manufacturers are limited by how big a battery they can include, so
maximising power efficiency is key.

In our battery benchmarks, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X lasted just short of
eight hours when browsing the web. This sounds pretty impressive, but this isnt a device youre going to be doing much web surfing on. In our gaming battery benchmarks, the battery depleted a lot faster, lasting just under three hours, which is about what we expect from a PC gaming handheld. With some tweaking, and depending on what game you play and how demanding they
are, you may be able to eke out longer battery times.

If you play games via cloud streaming services like Xbox Cloud or GeForce
Now, the battery life should be closer to the web browsing times.

However, its clear that while Asus, AMD, and Microsofts efforts to maximise efficiency are commendable, the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X doesnt buck the trend of handheld devices that cant go too long when playing games on battery. Battery Life: 3 / 5 Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally X? Asus ROG Xbox Ally X
scorecard

Value

This is an incredibly expensive gaming device, with a price tag that's hard
to justify.

2 / 5

Design

A premium design, plenty of ports and the addition of grips means it's a good looking (and feeling) device.

4 / 5

Performance

AAA open-world games struggle, but with some tweaking you can get good results, and indie games run fantastically.

4 / 5

Battery Life

Battery life is around what you'd expect from a PC gaming handheld.

3 / 5

Total

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is a capable gaming handheld, but it doesn't quite offer the console-like experience many of us were hoping for.

4 / 5 Buy the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X if...

Youre already in the Xbox ecosystem
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X really excels if you already have a games library bought through the Microsoft or Xbox stores, and if youre signed up to Game Pass.

You want a powerful gaming handheld
The Z2 Extreme is an impressive chip, which makes the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X
one of the most powerful gaming handhelds on the market and its certainly more powerful than the Nintendo Switch 2.

You want a secondary device to play your games when traveling
Asus ROG Xbox Ally Xs performance might disappoint people who use it as their primary gaming device, but as a portable alternative that gives you access to your game library while youre travelling, its a great (if expensive) choice. Don't buy it if...

Youre on a budget
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is incredibly expensive, making it hard to justify for most people. The less-powerful Asus ROG Xbox Ally is a more affordable option that, while still expensive, might be a better choice.

You want pure performance
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is powerful by handheld standards, but it cant compete with gaming laptops. If you want the best performance for your money, then this isnt the device for you.

You want a console-like experience
The new Xbox Fullscreen Experience is certainly a step in the right
direction, especially if you stick with buying games from the Xbox Store, but Windows 11 remains an inelegant operating system for handhelds. Also consider

Asus ROG Xbox Ally X

Asus ROG Ally X

Lenovo Legion Go

Price

$999.99 / 799.99 / AU$1,599

$799.99 / 799 / AU$1,599

$699.99 / 700 / AU$1,299

Display

7-inch FHD (1080p) IPS, 500 nits, 16:9, 120Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium

7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 120Hz, 500 nits

8.8-inch QHD+, 144Hz, 500 nits, 97% DCI-P3 color gamut

CPU

AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor

AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme

AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme

Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

AMD Radeon Graphics

RAM

24GB LPDDR5X-8000

24GB LPDDR5X-7500

16GB LPDDR5X (7500Mhz)

Storage

1TB M.2 SSD

1TB M.2 2280 SSD

Up to 1TB M.2 2242 SSD

Port selection

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), 1x 3.5mm Combo Audio Jack

2x USB Type-C ports, 1x combo jack, 1x SD card reader slot

2x USB Type-C ports, 3.5mm headphone jack, microSD slot

Weight

715g

678g

854g

Dimensions

90.8 x 121.5 x 50.7mm (WxDxH)

280.2 x 114 x 36.9mm (WxDxH)

298.83 x 131 x 40.7mm (WxDxH)

Lenovo Legion Go
The Lenovo Legion Go comes with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. and a larger, higher-resolution, and faster 8.8-inch screen, and costs quite a bit less. It doesn't offer the same amount of RAM or SSD storage space, however.

Read our full Lenovo Legion Go review

Asus ROG Ally X
The original ROG Ally X remains on sale, and is cheaper than the Xbox model. It features the older AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, which still offers good performance for indie games, and the Z2 Extreme doesn't offer a big enough upgrade to make this model feel outdated.

Read our full Asus ROG Ally X review How I tested the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X Tested for around a week Pushed it as hard as possible, gaming-wise Explored various settings

I played various games on the ROG Xbox Ally X every day before writing this review. The games ranged from lightweight indies like Hades 2 to more visually-intensive games like Forza Horizon 5 , Sonic Generations, and AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 .

I also ran various benchmark tests to stress the hardware, including game benchmarks with the highest graphical settings and upscaling tech disabled. When gaming, I tweaked the graphics settings and enabled upscaling to get the best possible performance this often meant dropping the graphics to their lowest settings.

We pride ourselves on our independence and our rigorous review-testing process, giving attention to the products we review and making sure our reviews are updated and maintained, regardless of when a device was released if you can still buy it, it's on our radar.

Read more about how we test First reviewed October 2025



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/computing/gaming-computers/asus-rog-xbox-ally-x-revi ew


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