ROG Xbox Ally X Review: A Sleek Portable Gaming PC With a Branding Problem

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Besides the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, the ROG Xbox Ally X is one of the most hyped gaming devices expected in 2025. This updated version of the ROG Ally features a redesigned look, better performance, and a simpler, more user-friendly interface for downloading and launching games. Despite its high price of $1000, it’s a powerful and worthwhile platform.

The ROG Xbox Ally X is a great portable gaming PC and one of the best ways to play your PC games on the go. However, the inclusion of ‘Xbox’ in its name is strange and potentially confusing, as it doesn’t fully reflect what the device actually is.

Rating: 3.5/5

Pros Cons
Great form factor with haptics and impulse triggers Interface can be sluggish
Games perform and look excellent Heavier than other handhelds
Provides access to all of your PC games in one place Xbox elements aren’t plentiful
High level of customization

ROG Xbox Ally X Is Beefy, Yet Still Comfortable

The ROG Xbox Ally X features a redesigned controller with a more comfortable, ergonomic shape – a significant improvement over the blockier grips of the original ROG Ally. It also includes the responsive impulse triggers found on standard Xbox controllers, delivering a surprisingly high-quality gaming experience.

I really like the overall design of the ROG Xbox Ally X, but it’s quite large. This applies to everything about the handheld – not just its size. The buttons, triggers, and bumpers are all a little bigger than those on a standard Xbox controller. While this isn’t a bad thing, it does take some time to adjust to, and it initially feels a little awkward to hold.

One drawback of the ROG Ally X is its weight. At 1.58 pounds, it’s noticeably heavier than other handheld consoles – almost a pound heavier than the original Nintendo Switch. This extra weight can make it tiring to play for long stretches, as it puts more strain on your hands and arms. While it’s remarkable that ASUS managed to fit so much power into a relatively compact device, it would be even better if it were lighter.

Performance and Visuals of Games on Are Great

After the initial setup, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a pleasure to game on. Its 7-inch Full HD screen consistently delivers clear 1080p graphics. While not as vibrant as an OLED screen, the Ally X achieves 1080p resolution—something many competing handhelds struggle with. Games look fantastic on this portable device, and the improvement is immediately apparent.

The ROG Xbox Ally X delivers excellent and reliable performance. I’ve tested it with a wide variety of games, and haven’t encountered any significant problems. While performance levels change depending on the game and desired settings, I was consistently able to achieve frame rates up to 60fps, even when prioritizing visual quality.

PC gaming can be tricky, so I was concerned the ROG Xbox Ally X might have performance problems when it first came out. While some games might still have minor issues – it’s impossible to test everything – I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well it runs everything I’ve tried, from fast-paced racing games to large, open-world RPGs, without any major hiccups.

Don’t Be Confused About the Xbox Branding

The name ‘ROG Xbox Ally X’ might lead people to believe this is the first portable Xbox, and Microsoft’s marketing hasn’t corrected that impression. In fact, Microsoft has prominently featured the ROG Xbox Ally in its recent promotions, making it a key highlight at Gamescom and a major announcement during its June presentation.

After spending some time with the ROG Xbox Ally X, the Xbox features feel more like a branding element than a core part of the experience. It mainly offers the familiar Xbox app interface found on PCs, and a dedicated Xbox button for quick access to settings and games. While Microsoft collaborated with ASUS to optimize game performance on the device, that’s where the Xbox integration largely ends.

Let me be clear, because even Xbox is trying to get this across: you can’t play *every* Xbox game directly on the ROG Ally X. I’ve been building my digital Xbox library since the 360 days, and I’ve got around 200 games now. Out of those, only about 30 can be downloaded and played right on the Ally X – those are the ‘Play Anywhere’ titles. A lot more *are* playable, but you need an Xbox Game Pass subscription to stream them through the cloud.

Don’t expect the ROG Xbox Ally X to let you play *every* Xbox game on the go. Microsoft needs to add more older titles to its Play Anywhere program, which allows seamless gaming between your Xbox console and the Ally X. The good news is that many recent games *are* Play Anywhere, so this feature will likely become even better as time goes on.

It’s unclear why the Xbox brand is associated with this new device. The ROG Ally X doesn’t offer any significant features unique to Xbox compared to the original ROG Ally. If you already own the older model, there’s no compelling reason to upgrade. And if you’re considering buying a ROG Ally for the first time, it’s important to understand what you’re getting with this Xbox-branded version.

The ROG Xbox Ally X Has All the Same Perks and Drawbacks of a PC

The ROG Xbox Ally X is fundamentally a PC, and that has both advantages and disadvantages. The main benefit is its incredible versatility – you can essentially do anything with it. Plus, it’s very customizable, and that flexibility will only increase over time.

Unfortunately, this device shares some of the frustrating issues common with PCs. I’ve noticed frequent, unexpected slowdowns, even when using simple apps. The Xbox App, in particular, was often sluggish, with inputs sometimes taking a frustrating 10-15 seconds to register. While it wasn’t happening constantly, these delays were frequent enough to be annoying, and I believe Windows 11 is the cause.

I really like how simple and uncluttered the system’s on-screen display is. As I said before, it’s great to be able to quickly access all the important settings on the Ally X without digging through complicated menus. This overlay also ran perfectly smoothly for me, with no lag. It took a little getting used to at first, but once I learned my way around, I found it very easy to use.

A Niche Device at a High Price

I’ve been really impressed with the ROG Xbox Ally X and have had a lot of fun using it. I’ve tried out many handheld gaming devices, but this one has the potential to become my favorite for gaming on the go. I’m excited to continue exploring everything it has to offer in the coming weeks and months.

I wouldn’t recommend this to just anyone. It’s a great option if you don’t already own a similar device like the Steam Deck and you have a lot of PC games. However, if you’re hoping for a secondary handheld gaming device or think this is specifically designed for Xbox, you should carefully consider if it’s the right choice for you.

The ROG Xbox Ally X costs $1,000, making it a pricey device. While its capabilities largely justify the cost, it’s still among the most expensive options available. However, if you do decide to buy one, you likely won’t be disappointed.

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2025-10-15 16:17