Unlock the full power of your Xbox Ally — this system update unlocks more performance

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The ASUS ROG Ally has proven more popular than expected, with demand exceeding initial forecasts. ASUS is now boosting its performance with a new system update starting to roll out on November 18th and 19th, 2025 – you might already be receiving it!

Don’t worry if you have the original ROG Ally and not the new Xbox Ally model – the original is still getting updated, so everyone will continue to receive support.

The Xbox Ally launched on October 16, 2025, and received positive feedback, even being named one of Time magazine’s best inventions. While there are still some problems with the device, people are optimistic that Xbox will improve future versions and continue developing its planned range of Xbox PCs.

Full breakdown of every new feature

The latest update for Armoury Crate SE, version 2.1.15.0, is now available for Xbox Ally, Xbox Ally X, ROG Ally, and ROG Ally X devices.

Xbox Ally X users will soon have more control over their device’s performance thanks to new settings for the CPU’s cores. Found under Performance > More settings, these controls let you customize how the Ally X runs, potentially extending battery life or optimizing performance to your liking.

We’ve added a new button to easily exit Fullscreen mode, so you won’t have to use touch controls anymore – making it much simpler to switch between apps. We’ve also improved Command Center to make update notifications clearer and reduce the need to check for updates yourself.

I’m really excited about the changes to the FPS limiter! They’ve moved away from a simple fixed limit and are now using Radeon Chill. This is a big deal because it dynamically adjusts the frame rate, which should mean lower power consumption and less heat while I’m gaming. Plus, they swapped out the old 45 FPS preset for a 40 FPS option, which is a nice tweak.

You can now easily find Windows power mode options directly within Manual Operating Mode, so you no longer have to search through the Windows settings.

We’ve made improvements to gyro aiming to increase accuracy. ASUS says they’ve reduced drift and made it more responsive. While I don’t personally use this feature, it’s a great update for players who do.

A helpful addition is support for Wi-Fi captive portals, meaning Ally devices can now connect to public Wi-Fi networks at places like hotels and airports.

This update changes the default sleep timer from ‘Never’ to 5 minutes to save battery life. It also disables AMD RSR by default on Xbox Ally devices to prevent unwanted image scaling.

I have a lot more to discuss, so I’ll keep it brief. I believe I’ve already explained the most crucial points.

Xbox Ally

  • New MCU update adds a diagnostic interface for system-level troubleshooting.
  • BIOS update improves Modern Standby power use, improves charger detection, and fixes Cloud Recovery getting stuck on reboot.
  • New AMD GPU driver boosts performance and resolves an audio problem tied to Auto Super Resolution.

Xbox Ally X

  • MCU update upgrades the feel and accuracy of the Impulse Trigger haptics.
  • BIOS update improves how the system handles updates and makes Cloud Recovery more reliable.
  • Touch firmware update improves touchscreen stability.
  • AMD GPU driver update delivers the same performance and audio improvements as the standard Xbox Ally.
  • New AMD chipset drivers offer general system performance improvements.

Overall

  • These updates should improve day to day usability with better tuning options, stronger stability, improved power behaviour, and cleaner input handling.
  • The original ROG Ally also benefits from the broader Armoury Crate SE update, keeping it up to date with important system changes.

Looking ahead at future improvements

It would be fantastic if the Xbox App could display better Steam game thumbnails, like the ones available through SteamGridDB.

FAQ

What devices are getting this update?

This includes all models in the Ally line – the Xbox Ally, Xbox Ally X, ROG Ally, and ROG Ally X. While some features work on every device, others are exclusive to the Xbox Ally or Xbox Ally X.

Does this update actually improve performance?

Performance improvements vary by device. We’re seeing the most significant benefits on systems using the latest AMD drivers and CPU controls. These gains aren’t from simply making the hardware more powerful, but from improvements to the software that controls it – things like better firmware, more efficient power management, and smoother input processing.

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2025-11-19 01:10