Xbox faces a critical moment. While the PlayStation 5 and Switch 2 continue to gain traction, repeated price hikes for the Xbox Series S and X have stalled momentum. With major retailers like Costco dropping Microsoft’s consoles, the current-gen Xbox risks fading into obscurity.
Microsoft could either delay the next console and return with a stronger model or pivot to a cross-platform publisher model, similar to Sega after the Dreamcast. A third option fills the gap in the interim: handheld gaming.
Building a new portable device is costly and time-consuming, so Microsoft partnered with ASUS to create the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X Windows 11-based portable gaming PCs infused with Xbox’s ecosystem. While it’s too soon to know if they’ll revitalize Xbox, these handhelds are impressive devices that could reshape portable gaming.
This review focuses on the ROG Xbox Ally X. Both models share the same design, display, button layout, and software, with the main differences in specs and price. The base Xbox Ally has a slower AMD Ryzen Z2 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, a smaller 60WHr battery, is slightly lighter (1.48 lbs vs. 1.58 lbs), and costs $600 compared to $1,000 for the Ally X.
Design and Display: Xbox Goes Portable
At first glance, the ROG Xbox Ally X might look like ASUS simply added larger grips to its previous handheld. In reality, the device was redesigned from the ground up to bring key Xbox features to a portable form. This includes the familiar ABXY button layout, Impulse triggers with generous travel, the Xbox home button, and a 7-inch IPS LCD screen at the center.
The display is a Full HD IPS panel with a 120Hz refresh rate, matching the Ally X. While it lacks OLED-level blacks, contrast is solid, and brightness hits around 500 nits, making it more than sufficient without upgrading to larger OLED alternatives like the Lenovo Legion Go 2’s 8.8-inch panel. For most users, the 7-inch FHD display delivers sharp visuals and smooth gameplay.
On the back, two customizable paddles sit alongside the top edge’s fingerprint reader and connectivity options: two USB-C ports, a microSD slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. One USB-C port is Thunderbolt 4 compliant, enabling external GPU support with ASUS’ XG Mobile graphics dock.
Though it resembles ASUS’ earlier handhelds, the Xbox Ally X feels like a true portable Xbox. Its joysticks are precise, triggers offer substantial travel, and button layouts are familiar. Haptics, however, fall short of the DualSense or Switch 2 Joy-Cons, leaving room for improvement in tactile feedback.
Read More: Apple Vision Pro Review: Redefining Computing and Entertainment
Performance: Flagship Handheld Power
The ROG Xbox Ally X, ASUS and Microsoft’s top-tier handheld, packs an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB of shared memory, and 1TB of storage, expandable via microSD. Microsoft also optimized background processes in Windows 11 for the first time on a handheld, boosting efficiency compared to competitors.
In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with medium settings and FSR on performance, the Ally X reached 62.1 fps on its 35-watt Turbo mode around 7% faster than the Lenovo Legion Go 2 at 57.5 fps. In Returnal, unplugged in the energy-efficient 17-watt Performance Mode, it hit 42 fps, outperforming the Lenovo’s 39 fps.
Performance varies by power mode: the full 35-watt Turbo requires an adapter, while 17-watt Performance and 13-watt Silent modes remain consistent on battery. Users can further tweak settings via ASUS’ Armoury Crate app, as adjustments aren’t available directly in the Xbox interface.
Software: The Tailored Gaming Experience We Needed
Microsoft’s new full-screen Xbox experience on the ROG Xbox Ally X streamlines gaming on a Windows handheld. Gone are the days of navigating the desktop before launching a game startup now brings you directly to the Xbox app, with a clean layout that makes core features easy to access. The Home tab houses installed games, while dedicated sections handle Game Pass downloads, cloud gaming, and the Microsoft Store. For Steam, Epic, GOG, and Ubisoft, shortcuts in the My Apps tab simplify installation without needing a browser.
Swiping up from the bottom activates a task switcher for smooth app transitions, while the Xbox button opens quick settings including performance controls, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth toggles, and your friends list. Additional gestures enhance usability: swipe from the left for the Xbox Game Bar, from the right for notifications, and from the bottom to switch apps or scroll through open programs using the shoulder buttons. You can even access the full Windows desktop when needed.
Microsoft has also added game compatibility tags in the store, helping players know how well titles will run on the handheld. While the system handles 90–95% of gaming tasks smoothly, occasional friction appears when exiting third-party games, requiring touchscreen navigation in Steam or similar apps. Despite minor quirks, the ROG Xbox Ally X represents a strong first step toward a fully portable Xbox experience.
Battery Life: A Solid Jump in Longevity
The ROG Xbox Ally X features an 80WHr battery larger than the base model’s 60WHr paired with an energy-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 chip for impressive battery life, as long as power-hungry settings aren’t maxed.
In testing Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at 1080p, medium settings, and full brightness, the handheld lasted nearly three and a half hours about 30 minutes longer than the Lenovo Legion Go 2, which has a larger screen. Compared to the original Ally X, the new model adds roughly one extra hour of runtime, offering a meaningful boost for long trips or extended play sessions.
All ports, including two USB-C jacks, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a microSD slot, are conveniently placed along the top for easy access while gaming or charging.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ROG Xbox Ally X?
The ROG Xbox Ally X is a high-end handheld gaming device co-developed by ASUS and Microsoft, combining Windows 11 portability with Xbox features like ABXY buttons, Impulse triggers, and the Xbox app ecosystem.
How powerful is the Xbox Ally X?
It features an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB of shared memory, 1TB of storage (expandable via microSD), and multiple power modes, offering flagship-level performance for modern games.
What is the display like?
The handheld sports a 7-inch Full HD IPS screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits brightness, delivering sharp visuals and smooth gameplay, though it lacks OLED-level contrast.
How long does the battery last?
Equipped with an 80WHr battery, the Xbox Ally X delivers around 3.5 hours of gaming at 1080p medium settings and full brightness roughly one hour more than the original Ally X.
Can it run PC and Xbox games?
Yes. The device runs Windows 11, supports Xbox Game Pass titles, cloud gaming, and third-party PC games via Steam, Epic, GOG, and Ubisoft, with optimized compatibility tags for handheld performance.
What connectivity options are available?
It has two USB-C ports (one Thunderbolt 4), a microSD card slot, a 3.5mm audio jack, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and supports external GPUs like the ASUS XG Mobile dock.
How does the software enhance gameplay?
The full-screen Xbox experience simplifies navigation, provides swipe gestures for multitasking, quick access to performance settings, notifications, and friends lists, and reduces reliance on the traditional Windows desktop.
Conclusion
The ROG Xbox Ally X proves that a portable Xbox experience is not just possible it can be compelling. With flagship-level performance, a bright and responsive 7-inch display, improved battery life, and a tailored full-screen Xbox software experience, it delivers a handheld that feels like a true extension of Microsoft’s console ecosystem.