The ROG Xbox Ally X is an impressive yet flawed handheld

The dream of a true “portable Xbox” has teased gamers for years. We saw glimpses of it with the original ASUS ROG Ally in 2023, and a refined attempt with the Ally X in 2024. But now, in late 2025, the partnership between Microsoft and ASUS has finally solidified into hardware. The ROG Xbox Ally X is not just a branding exercise. It is a dedicated push to claim the throne of the best gaming handheld 2025 has to offer.

This device promises to bridge the gap between the open nature of a Windows 11 PC and the seamless, curated experience of an Xbox Series console. With the new AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip and a massive 80Wh battery, the specs are undeniably premium. However, a price tag hitting the $1,000 mark and the lingering ghosts of Windows OS suggest that perfection is still just out of reach.

In this deep-dive review, we test the battery life, the new “Xbox Full-Screen” interface, and raw gaming performance to see if this premium handheld is worth your investment.

The Specs: A Generational Leap with Ryzen Z2

The heart of the ROG Xbox Ally X is the silicon. ASUS has moved on from the Z1 Extreme to the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme. This chip is not merely a refresh. It is an architecture designed specifically for low-wattage, high-performance gaming.

• Processor: AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme (8 Cores, 16 Threads, Zen 5 architecture)
• Graphics: RDNA 3.5 integrated graphics (16 Compute Units)
• RAM: 24GB LPDDR5X-7500MHz (Unified Memory)
• Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe SSD (2280 form factor)
• Display: 7-inch 1080p IPS, 120Hz, VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), 500 nits
• Battery: 80Wh
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, USB4 (Thunderbolt compatible)

The jump to 24GB of RAM is the most significant upgrade for power users. In previous generations, the system often struggled to allocate enough memory to the GPU (VRAM) while keeping Windows happy. With 24GB, you can comfortably allocate 8GB or even 10GB strictly to video memory, leaving plenty for the OS and background apps. This seemingly small change virtually eliminates the stuttering seen in memory-hungry titles like Starfield or Returnal.

High-Value Hardware Integration

For enthusiasts looking at the internal engineering, the cooling solution has also seen a rework. The new “Zero Gravity” thermal system uses thinner heatsink fins and fluid-dynamic bearing fans that are noticeably quieter than the 2024 model. If you are comparing gaming laptops vs handhelds, the acoustic comfort here is a major selling point.

Design and Ergonomics: Finally, It Feels Like an Xbox

When you pick up the ROG Xbox Ally X, the first thing you notice is the change in texture. ASUS has ditched the angular, sharp aesthetic of the original Ally for something softer and more convex. The grips are deeper, mimicking the curvature of an official Xbox Wireless Controller. This change is vital for long-term comfort, as the device weighs in at approximately 715 grams.

The Xbox Button and Impulse Triggers

The most visible change is the dedicated Xbox button sitting prominently in the center. It is not just a shortcut. It is a hardware interrupt that summons the new Xbox dashboard overlay instantly, regardless of what launcher you are using.

More impressive are the Impulse Triggers. For years, PC handhelds lacked the localized haptic feedback found in console controllers. The ROG Xbox Ally X solves this. When firing a weapon in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 or braking in Forza Motorsport, you feel the vibration distinctly in your fingertips, not just a general rumble in the chassis. This feature alone makes the device feel like a premium piece of kit rather than a generic PC accessory.

Port Selection and Connectivity

We finally have dual USB-C ports on the top.

1. USB4: Supports 40Gbps transfer speeds, perfect for external GPU (eGPU) docks or high-speed SSD enclosures.
2. USB 3.2 Gen 2: Dedicated for charging or standard peripherals.

The lack of an Oculink port might disappoint the most hardcore modders, but for 99% of users, USB4 provides enough bandwidth for docking stations and external displays.

Software: The “Xbox Full-Screen Experience”

This is where the “Xbox” in the name tries to justify itself. Upon booting, you are not greeted by the standard Windows 11 desktop. Instead, the device launches into the Xbox Full-Screen Experience.

This interface looks nearly identical to the dashboard on an Xbox Series X. It aggregates your installed games from Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and Ubisoft Connect into a single, navigable ribbon.

• Pros: It is clean, controller-friendly, and hides the “PC-ness” of the device effectively.
• Cons: It is still a skin.

Occasionally, you will launch a game, and a launcher window will pop up in the background, requiring you to tap the screen to dismiss a dialogue box. Windows 11 has improved its touch capabilities, but it is still an operating system designed for a mouse and cursor. The illusion of a “console” breaks the moment you need to input a password or troubleshoot a driver update.

For users interested in software optimization, ASUS has updated the Command Center overlay. You can now adjust TDP (Thermal Design Power) on the fly with a slider, ranging from a battery-sipping 9W to a turbo-charged 30W.

Gaming Performance and Benchmarks

We tested the ROG Xbox Ally X at 15W (Performance Mode) and 30W (Turbo Mode) across several demanding titles. The target resolution was 1080p, utilizing FSR 3.1 (FidelityFX Super Resolution) where possible.

1. Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty

• Settings: 1080p, Medium Preset, FSR Balanced.
• Result (30W): The Z2 Extreme shines here, delivering a stable 52 FPS. The 1% lows are much improved over the Z1 chip, thanks to the faster memory.
• Result (15W): A respectable 38 FPS, making it playable on battery without rapid draining.

2. Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

• Settings: 1080p, Recommended Competitive Settings.
• Result (30W): A smooth 85 FPS. This is where the 120Hz VRR screen proves its worth. The responsiveness is snappy, and the impulse triggers add significant immersion.

3. Starfield (2025 Updates)

• Settings: 900p, Low/Medium Mix, FSR 3 Frame Gen On.
• Result (30W): We achieved a surprising 45-50 FPS. The 24GB RAM allows the game to breathe, preventing the crashes that plagued 16GB handhelds in dense cities like New Atlantis.

4. Hades II

• Settings: 1080p, High.
• Result (15W): A locked 120 FPS. For indie titles, this machine is absolute overkill, providing a flawless experience that looks stunning on the high-brightness IPS panel.

Comparisons: Ally X vs. Steam Deck OLED vs. Legion Go S

• Vs. Steam Deck OLED: The Steam Deck still wins on screen contrast and battery efficiency at low wattages (under 10W). However, the Ally X crushes it in raw performance. If you want to play modern AAA games at 1080p, the Steam Deck simply cannot keep up.
• Vs. Lenovo Legion Go S: Lenovo’s 2025 offering is cheaper but lacks the software polish of the Xbox integration. The Ally X also has the advantage of VRR, which the Legion Go S surprisingly omitted in its base model.

Battery Life: The 80Wh Standard

ASUS kept the massive 80Wh battery from the 2024 Ally X, and paired with the more efficient 4nm process of the Ryzen Z2, the results are excellent.

• Heavy Gaming (AAA at 25W): Expect around 2 hours and 15 minutes. This is industry-leading for x86 handhelds.
• Indie Gaming (Dead Cells at 10W): We squeezed out nearly 8 hours of continuous play.
• Media Streaming: Over 12 hours of Netflix playback at 50% brightness.

For travelers, this battery life reduces the “range anxiety” that typically plagues high-performance mobile devices. You can confidently take a flight from New York to London and game for a significant portion of the trip without scrambling for an outlet.

The Flaws: Why It Is Not Perfect

Despite the “Xbox” branding, this is not an Xbox. It is a Windows PC.

1. Windows Sleep Mode: The “Modern Standby” issue in Windows is still present. Occasionally, you will put the device to sleep, put it in your bag, and find it hot and dead an hour later because it woke up to install an update. Hibernate mode is a mandatory workaround, but it slows down the “pick up and play” experience.
2. Weight: At 715g, it is heavy. While the balance is good, your wrists will feel it after an hour of gaming if you are not resting your arms on a surface.
3. Price: At $999, this is a significant investment. It enters the territory of capable gaming laptops like the ASUS TUF or Lenovo LOQ series, which offer discrete RTX 4060 GPUs and larger screens. You are paying a premium for portability.
4. Screen Technology: While the IPS panel is bright (500 nits) and colorful, it is not OLED. Once you have seen the infinite blacks of the Steam Deck OLED, the greyish blacks of the Ally X’s IPS screen are noticeable, especially in dark rooms.

Maintenance and Upgrades

For those interested in the longevity of their electronics, the ROG Xbox Ally X is surprisingly repair-friendly. The back panel is secured with standard Phillips head screws.

• SSD: The M.2 2280 slot is easily accessible, meaning you can upgrade the 1TB drive to a 4TB or 8TB drive relatively cheaply during sales.
• Joysticks: These are on modular daughterboards. If you experience drift (though the Hall Effect sensors make this unlikely), replacing them is a 15-minute job.

Investing in a good screen protector and a robust carrying case is highly recommended, as the screen is exposed and the device is top-heavy.

Conclusion: The King of Windows Handhelds

The ROG Xbox Ally X is the most cohesive Windows handheld released to date. The partnership with Microsoft has yielded a user interface that finally makes sense for a controller-first device. The performance of the Ryzen Z2 Extreme is a generational leap that makes 1080p gaming a reality, not just a marketing bullet point.

However, the high price point makes it a luxury item. If you are a casual gamer who sticks to indie titles, the Steam Deck OLED remains the better value proposition. But if you are a Game Pass Ultimate subscriber who wants to take Starfield, Forza, and Call of Duty on the road without compromise, the ROG Xbox Ally X is the device you have been waiting for.

It is powerful, it is comfortable, and it is the closest we have ever come to a true portable Xbox.

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Quick Specs Recap

Feature	Specification
CPU	AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme
RAM	24GB LPDDR5X
Storage	1TB NVMe SSD (2280)
Screen	7″ 1080p IPS, 120Hz VRR
Battery	80Wh
Price	$999 (MSRP)

Sources:

• ASUS Republic of Gamers Official Site
• Xbox Wire: The Future of Handheld Gaming
• AMD Ryzen Z2 Series Architecture Deep Dive