ROG Xbox Ally X Review – Handheld Perfection?

The handheld gaming market is booming with new devices like the Steam Deck OLED, Lenovo Legion Go, last year’s ROG Ally X, the new ASUS ROG Xbox Ally, and the upcoming Switch 2. The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has been particularly eye-catching, though its high price tag has raised some concerns. After spending a significant amount of time with this Xbox-branded handheld from Asus, it’s clear there’s more to it than just the cost. Let’s take a closer look and see if this $1000 device is worth considering over more affordable options.

How It Stacks up to Competitors

The Xbox ROG Ally X feels like a significant upgrade to last year’s ROG Ally X, more of an expansion than a completely new device. Given how powerful the original Ally X already was, that’s impressive – it’s currently the most powerful handheld console available. With a new AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, faster memory, and an AI processor, it’s up to 30% faster while staying cooler and offering the same battery life as the previous model. It generally outperforms both the Steam Deck OLED and the Legion Go. However, those who prioritize screen size might prefer the larger display on the Legion Go, as the Ally X has a 7-inch FHD screen. I was particularly impressed with how well the 1080p 120Hz display handled glare.

What really sets this controller apart is how comfortable it is to use and how much it *feels* like an Xbox – it just has that special something. I especially love the responsive buttons, the realistic vibrations, and the comfortable grips; they feel really well-made. It reminds me of how great the old Duke controller felt! Other handhelds like the Steam Deck or Legion Go don’t quite match that experience. Plus, the software is great – it starts up with an Xbox-style interface, but still gives you all the freedom of Windows 11.

Ergonomics

Let’s move past comparisons – once you start playing with these joysticks, you won’t want to stop. They’re made with high-quality rubber and have a textured grip that feels great in your hands. The sticks move incredibly smoothly, and clicking them feels natural, especially for anyone used to an Xbox controller.

While the wide handles can sometimes cause hand fatigue during extended use, the device is generally comfortable to hold for long periods thanks to its lightweight build and smooth shape. The large handles actually provide a very secure grip – the texture and design keep the console firmly in place, and I’ve never worried about it slipping. Despite its size, it’s surprisingly light and feels very secure to hold.

The Xbox Ally X feels very well-made and durable. It’s built with tough, high-quality plastic, so it feels solid and inspires confidence. You don’t have to worry too much about being extra careful with it, even though it’s the priciest handheld available – it seems like it can take a beating.

It’s worth noting that dust can collect around the edges of the screen and around the base of the joystick sticks. Also, because the joysticks aren’t Hall Effect, they may develop drift over time with extended use.

Because the screen is also a touch screen, you’ll find yourself constantly wiping off fingerprints. The buttons are positioned so close to the screen that it’s easy to accidentally touch the screen while trying to use them, which can mess up the menus or controls. I’ve repeatedly tapped the wrong thing or stopped what I was doing simply because the buttons are too close to the screen.

The controller’s button presses are quite distinct. The face buttons are louder than those on PlayStation or Nintendo controllers, and the D-pad has a sharp, noticeable click. The triggers and shoulder buttons are much quieter, offering soft clicks and nearly silent presses. Overall, this controller feels like a modern take on classic Xbox designs, blending familiar comfort with a more premium build quality.

Setup and Onboarding

The device keeps the familiar Xbox style with its look and feel. I enjoyed the smooth startup animation, and I even smiled when the colorful lights lit up the thumbsticks – you can easily change those colors, too! I skipped the instructions (I rarely bother with QR codes) and just started playing. If this is your first time using a handheld gaming device that runs Windows, it might be a little confusing at first, as the initial setup guide isn’t very detailed.

You manage updates and controller settings either directly through Windows 11 or using Armoury Crate, which is ASUS’s central hub for the ROG Ally. Switching between applications and game launchers is straightforward – just use the Xbox button or your cursor, just like on a regular PC. Because it combines Windows and Xbox, customizing controls is easy, and you can fully map them in either console or desktop mode using Armoury Crate.

It would be more convenient to switch between modes with just one button, rather than having to go through the game bar menu every time. However, you can still control Windows using either a stick as a mouse or the touchscreen, and then easily switch back to console mode when you want to play.

The touchscreen keyboard is a good size for most people, but if you type a lot, a separate keyboard is a better choice. The basic controls are easy to use for everyday users and children – you can do most things just with the Xbox menu button. However, some people might find the way the controls work a little complicated or confusing.

Performance With Game Tests

I put the Xbox Rog through a rigorous test using six demanding games: *Forza Motorsport*, *Microsoft Flight Simulator*, *Gears Reloaded*, *GTA 5*, *Resident Evil 2 Remake*, and *Ghost Recon Breakpoint*. They were all excellent for evaluating the system’s performance. While *Forza Motorsport* seemed to struggle the most to maintain both high visual quality and smooth gameplay, none of the games actually performed poorly. I was able to achieve framerates of 60 and higher in *Forza Motorsport*, but only by reducing details like reflections, track quality, and car detail. Running the game on balanced high settings provides a smooth experience if the Ally X is set to Performance or Turbo mode. If you’d rather have a quieter, fanless experience, you’ll need to compromise on visual fidelity and framerate – a trade-off that applied to most of the games, but was most apparent in *Forza*.

Games like *Resident Evil 2* and *GTA 5* ran incredibly smoothly, with very few frame rate drops or stutters, even with the graphics settings turned up high. Unlike racing games, small imperfections in the details aren’t as noticeable—a zombie lacking perfect skin texture is much less distracting than a super-detailed car driving on a plain, simple track.

Turning all the graphics settings to their highest will slightly increase loading times, but the Xbox ROG isn’t really designed for that. It’s a $1000 device with the most powerful graphics chip currently available in a handheld. Despite this, it can still run most new games well with high settings and without needing to sacrifice too much visual quality.

The fan is generally quiet, but it gets noticeably louder when the computer is working hard in Turbo Mode – it’s not deafening, but about as loud as a small leaf blower. I wasn’t comfortable playing demanding games in Silent Mode unless I lowered the graphics settings or accepted some performance dips. However, Silent Mode works great for simpler or less intensive games.

Battery Life & Heat

The biggest problem with playing demanding games on handheld devices is battery life. Even with a large 80Wh battery, you’ll find yourself needing to charge frequently when playing with high graphics settings. For example, I recently saw the battery drop from 90% to 10% in just one hour while playing *Forza Motorsport* with fairly high settings. This was with the device’s Turbo mode enabled, meaning the fans were running at their maximum speed.

Fortunately, the Ally X doesn’t take long to charge – about 50 minutes from empty to full. A quick 30-minute charge can even give you around 2 hours of gaming time if you’re playing with medium graphics. Battery life during normal use varies depending on what you’re doing. You can expect about 6 and a half hours with lighter apps or indie games, but demanding AAA games will drain the battery in around 2 hours.

I was really happy with how cool the new Ryzen chip stayed, even during intense gaming with maxed-out graphics. The vents got warm, but never painfully hot. If you use the silent mode, it doesn’t produce any noticeable heat, which is great if you live in a warmer area. Overall, besides my Switch 2 and 3DS, this Xbox ROG is the quietest and coolest gaming device I’ve ever used, and I’ve tested a lot of them.

User Interface

You can manage graphics settings, fan speeds, and more through the Armoury Crate software. It’s simple to switch between performance levels using the Command Center, with four presets available. Armoury Crate offers detailed customization options, letting you fine-tune everything from individual fan speeds based on temperature to other performance and cooling settings. Plus, you can customize controls separately for gaming (Gamepad mode) and everyday use (Desktop mode).

What makes this handheld stand out is its blend of Windows and Xbox designs, but that’s also where it can get tricky. While I was testing it and recording video, I noticed some slowdown when switching between the two modes. Sometimes the screen wouldn’t respond to the mouse cursor, and I had to repeatedly click until it worked. To be clear, this happened mostly when recording, which demands a lot from the device. However, even with regular use, the transitions between the Windows and Xbox interfaces can occasionally be a little glitchy.

Armoury Crate doesn’t allow you to use a mouse cursor, which is strange considering it’s the program you use to change how your controls work. You also can’t use the cursor to navigate the quick menu when you press the Xbox button, which feels limiting. While the combination of control methods does function, it could be much smoother and easier to use, especially when switching between programs or doing multiple things at once.

The recording features are inconsistent. While you can record gameplay and take screenshots within games or using the Xbox app, the built-in recorder doesn’t work correctly inside the Armoury Crate software. Additionally, it can’t record the home screen, which prevents complete capture of your gaming experience.

Don’t try to run two games at the same time – it really strains your computer’s resources. It can even cause confusing input errors where actions in one game affect the other. I once accidentally switched the language in *Resident Evil 2* while playing *Forza* and crashing a car – a mistake I won’t repeat!

Just a quick note about the software: both the Xbox and Armoury Crate interfaces can feel a little slow to respond right after you start up or wake your computer. However, this usually resolves itself within about ten seconds. You might also experience brief pauses when switching between applications, which has happened to me occasionally.

Game Pass is easy to sign into and manage games with, but playing offline sometimes causes minor issues, like error messages saying your license can’t be verified, which can even interrupt other apps.

I briefly panicked when the device wouldn’t turn on – no lights, and it wouldn’t charge. Luckily, I discovered this is a common issue with the powerful Ryzen processors in the Rog Ally X, and even the upgraded chip in this $1000 device can cause it. The fix involves a few forced restarts, which I won’t detail here, but if it completely powers down and stops responding, searching online for solutions is a good first step – unless there’s a truly serious problem.

Controls, Haptics & Audio

I still remember the frustration of a $1000 handheld device failing to power on, so let’s move on to something more reliable: Xbox controllers. The Xbox-style analog sticks are great because they offer a wide range of sensitivity, letting me control my movements with accuracy – whether I’m racing in *Forza* or battling enemies in *Gears of War*.

The controller uses vibrations to enhance gameplay, thanks to built-in haptic motors. While not as strong or detailed as the vibrations on a PlayStation 5’s DualSense controller, they still add a nice, immersive touch. You can adjust the vibration strength in the Armoury Crate software if needed. The controller even has separate vibration zones on the top and bottom of each side, although the right side felt a little weaker than the left during testing.

The best part of this device is definitely the sound quality. The built-in speakers are incredible, offering a remarkably wide range of volume – it’s the most impressive stereo sound I’ve heard from any of my devices, including my TV, laptop, and Switch 2. It’s not just loud, though; the audio is clear, powerful, and delivers both crisp highs and deep bass – a surprisingly high level of performance for a handheld console.

I love that this console lets me choose how I want to listen. I can plug in my regular headphones for super clear sound, or go wireless with Bluetooth – perfect for when I don’t want any cords getting in the way. Honestly, whether I’m cranking up the volume or playing quietly in bed, the sound quality is really impressive.

Console Storage

If you love high-quality audio like I do, you might be curious about how much game music you can store on this device. But let’s be real, it’ll probably be filled with big-name games! That’s where the extra cost of the Ally X with 1 terabyte of storage becomes worthwhile. After installing the system software, Armoury Crate, the Xbox app, and other pre-installed programs, I had about 830GB of free space. Considering how large modern games are, you can expect to fit around six to eight major titles, plus a few smaller indie games, before you run out of room.

Good news – adding more storage with a microSD card is super easy. But if you want to replace the built-in SSD, it’s a lot more complicated. You’ll definitely need a guide and some confidence working with hardware, because it’s not a simple swap.

What’s Included and What’s Not

Just so you know, a docking station doesn’t come with the device and needs to be bought separately. For the best experience, it’s recommended to get one directly from Asus. On the plus side, the USB-C and USB4 ports can easily connect to a TV or monitor, letting you use it with a standard display setup.

Beyond the device itself, you’ll receive what you’d generally expect. The biggest perk is three months of Xbox Game Pass Premium, giving new users plenty of games to jump into immediately. It also includes a charger and a cardboard stand – yes, cardboard! It’s a very basic, and not particularly stable, stand. The charging cable is good quality though – it’s thick, durable, and a useful length. Just be aware that the power adapter can get quite warm during charging. For a $1000 device, you won’t find extras like a dock or adapter included, only the charger and stand, but it’s the thought that counts, isn’t it?

Who’s This For Anyway?

People interested in this high-end handheld aren’t looking for luxury extras. It’s designed for gamers who want the best possible mobile gaming experience. Xbox Game Pass subscribers who play on the go will love the Rog Ally X, and Windows PC gamers finally get a portable device that feels just like playing on a console.

I doubt very young children will easily understand how this device works, but given its high cost, it’s clearly designed for serious users, not just casual ones.

Final Value Assessment

The Xbox ROG Ally X is a powerful and versatile handheld gaming device. It combines the portability of a handheld console with the capabilities of a Windows PC and the performance of an Xbox Series S. While it’s not without its flaws – the interface can be a bit confusing and it has occasional bugs – the overall experience is impressive. Even without extra accessories, the Ally X delivers exceptional power and can easily handle the latest, demanding games. For serious gamers who want a portable machine that can do it all, the Xbox ROG Ally X is a premium option that’s well worth considering.

2025-10-16 18:47