Back in 2005, Sony’s PSP was the ultimate symbol of cool—every kid wanted one. I wasn’t among them, which perhaps explains my lifelong fascination with portable gaming. When I first tried Asus’ ROG Ally in 2023, that childhood longing finally felt fulfilled. Now, Asus returns with the ROG Xbox Ally X, a handheld that feels even more special.
Built in partnership with Xbox, the Ally X delivers a full gaming experience on the go. Compact, powerful, and designed for gamers who want Xbox performance anywhere, I’ve spent a week using it as my main device—on commutes, lunch breaks, and even while sick. The verdict? I’m completely hooked.
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Design and Display
The ROG Xbox Ally X sports a sleek matte black finish, signature Ally lightning-stripped joysticks, and a back panel featuring the ROG logo crafted from air vents. Compact enough for one-handed use, it may feel slightly bulky for smaller palms during long sessions. Personally, I managed fine, though after about an hour, I preferred resting it on my lap or a pillow.
The device integrates Xbox-style controllers with textured grips, inspired directly by Xbox designs, improving handling and preventing slips. Subtle ROG Xbox branding adds a refined touch, while the back hosts two USB-C ports (one for charging), a 3.5mm headphone jack, and convenient shortcut buttons.
The 7-inch 1080p IPS display immerses you in games with natural, balanced colors—no oversaturation here. It’s bright enough for outdoor play, though reflections can appear under strong light. Dust and fingerprints accumulate easily, and at this price point, an OLED option would have been a welcome upgrade.
Battery and Speakers
The ROG Xbox Ally X delivers satisfactory battery life considering its powerful hardware. During gaming, it lasts around 2–3 hours—Forza Horizon 5, for example, dropped from 57% to 36% in 30 minutes, and hovered near 20% after another 20 minutes. Clearly, it’s designed for intense gaming bursts rather than long unplugged marathons, which makes sense for a handheld running full-fledged PC titles.
For lighter tasks like browsing Windows Edge or streaming YouTube, the battery stretches to 4–5 hours, and in idle mode, it can easily last over a day. This makes it convenient for travel: you can keep it in your backpack and enjoy a short gaming session before a flight without worrying about power.
The speakers, however, are the real highlight. Dual speakers deliver loud, detailed, and immersive sound. From jump scares in Silent Hill to adrenaline-pumping races in Forza Horizon 5, and calming moments in Ori and the Will of the Wisps, the audio experience shines both in offices and at home, easily filling a room with rich sound.
Performance and Gaming Experience
The ROG Xbox Ally X delivers an impressive on-the-go gaming experience. Powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, it handles modern, demanding titles with ease.
In Battlefield 6, I averaged around 50 FPS at 1080p on medium settings during training, with stable 40 FPS in matches. Doom: The Dark Ages ran at roughly 20 FPS at 1200×900 on medium, but enabling frame generation boosted performance to a smooth 60 FPS. Silent Hill f hovered around 20 FPS on high, improving to 30–35 FPS on low settings.
Less demanding games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps reached 140 FPS on balanced settings, while Forza Horizon 5 averaged 100 FPS with high graphics and frame generation enabled, delivering breathtaking landscapes and vehicles. Black Myth: Wukong ran mostly at 50–60 FPS, showcasing smooth gameplay in its detailed world.
Benchmark results reinforce the real-world experience:
- 3DMark Steel Nomad DX12: 601
- 3DMark Time Spy: 4104
- 3DMark Fire Strike: 9063
- Geekbench 6: 2803 (Single-core), 12768 (Multi-core)
- Cinebench 2024: 110 (Single-core), 544 (Multi-core)
Beyond numbers, the device impressed with smooth transitions, fast game boots, and strong multitasking. For example, I could minimize Forza Horizon 5 and browse comfortably on Microsoft Edge without stutters, highlighting its versatility.
Thermals and Software
After hours of gaming, the ROG Xbox Ally X stays warm but never uncomfortably hot, thanks to its efficient cooling system. Air vents continuously expel hot air, keeping the body cool to the touch even during intense sessions.
Running Windows, the device feels familiar to any PC gamer. Touch controls handle navigation well, but the standout feature is the dedicated Xbox mode. With a single button press, the Xbox app launches, letting you access games and control the device entirely via joysticks—no touchscreen interaction required.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ROG Xbox Ally X?
A powerful handheld gaming device by Asus in collaboration with Xbox, designed for PC and Xbox games on the go.
What games can the ROG Xbox Ally X run?
It can run modern PC titles like Forza Horizon 5, Battlefield 6, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, and more.
How long does the battery last on the ROG Xbox Ally X?
Gaming lasts 2–3 hours, lighter tasks 4–5 hours, and idle mode over a day.
Does the ROG Xbox Ally X get hot while gaming?
The device warms up during long sessions, but efficient cooling keeps the body comfortable to touch.
What display does the ROG Xbox Ally X use?
It features a 7-inch 1080p IPS display with natural colors, bright enough for outdoor or on-the-go gaming.
Can I use Xbox features on the Ally X?
Yes, the dedicated Xbox mode lets you launch the Xbox app and control games entirely with joysticks.
How is the performance of the ROG Xbox Ally X?
Powered by AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, it delivers smooth gameplay, high FPS, and seamless multitasking for PC and Xbox games.
Conclusion
The ROG Xbox Ally X is a standout handheld for gamers who want true Xbox and PC performance on the go. Its powerful AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor, immersive 7-inch display, and responsive controls deliver smooth gameplay across demanding titles. While battery life suits short, intense sessions and the device warms under heavy load, the efficient cooling and ergonomic design make it comfortable for extended play.