ASUS ROG Ally X Review (2025): The New King of Handheld Gaming PCs | Gadget Bears
The world of handheld gaming has been completely transformed over the past few years. What started with the Nintendo Switch and was supercharged by the Steam Deck has now blossomed into a full-blown market for powerful, portable PC gaming machines. In this fierce arena, ASUS made a huge splash with the original ROG Ally. Now, they're back to claim the throne with the newly launched ASUS ROG Ally X. This isn't just a minor refresh; it's a top-to-bottom redesign based on community feedback, featuring a massive battery, more RAM, and improved ergonomics. Is this the device that finally perfects the handheld PC gaming experience?
The ASUS ROG Ally X addresses key feedback from the original to create a more refined experience.
The "X" Factor: What's New in the ROG Ally X?
ASUS has made it clear that the "X" stands for an "X-treme" upgrade. While it uses the same powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and vibrant 120Hz VRR display as the original, nearly every other aspect of the device has been improved.
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 4nm ) |
|---|---|
| Display | 7-inch FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz IPS with FreeSync Premium |
| Battery | Massive 80Wh Battery (Doubled from the original) |
| RAM | 24GB LPDDR5X (Up from 16GB) |
| Storage | Up to 1TB M.2 NVMe Gen4 SSD |
| Ports | 2x USB-C (one is Thunderbolt 4 compatible) |
The two most significant changes are the battery and the RAM. The battery has been doubled from 40Wh to a massive 80Wh, directly addressing the biggest complaint about the original Ally's endurance. The upgrade to 24GB of faster LPDDR5X RAM allows for better performance in modern games that are increasingly memory-hungry and provides more memory for the integrated RDNA 3 graphics.
Design and Ergonomics: A More Comfortable Gaming Session
While the ROG Ally X looks similar to its predecessor, it features a new, more ergonomic black chassis. The grips are deeper and more rounded, making the device much more comfortable to hold for long gaming sessions. The joysticks have been upgraded for better durability, and the D-pad has been improved for more precise inputs in fighting games and retro titles.
ASUS has also redesigned the thermal system. The new fans are smaller but more efficient, moving more air while producing less noise. This improved cooling allows the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor to maintain its peak performance for longer without thermal throttling, a crucial factor for a high-performance gaming device. This focus on user comfort and sustained performance is what separates premium devices, whether it's a gaming handheld or a high-end Dell laptop.
Performance: The Power of the Ryzen Z1 Extreme
The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU remains the heart of the ROG Ally X, and it's still one of the most powerful chips available in a handheld device. This processor combines 8 high-performance Zen 4 CPU cores with 12 RDNA 3 GPU compute units, delivering enough power to play modern AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Baldur's Gate 3, and Helldivers 2 at smooth frame rates.
The 7-inch 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate and AMD FreeSync Premium is a perfect match for the hardware. It's bright, colorful, and the variable refresh rate (VRR ) technology eliminates screen tearing, providing a smooth and immersive gaming experience. While it's not an OLED panel, it's one of the best IPS displays on any handheld. The combination of this powerful hardware allows you to enjoy a true PC gaming experience on the go, something that even the best gaming phones can't fully replicate.
Software and Connectivity
The ROG Ally X runs on Windows 11, which is both its greatest strength and its biggest weakness. The strength is compatibility; you can run virtually any PC game from any launcher, including Steam, Epic Games, Xbox Game Pass, and GOG. The weakness is that Windows isn't perfectly optimized for a small touchscreen and controller interface.
To address this, ASUS has significantly improved its Armoury Crate SE software. This custom launcher makes it easy to access your games, tweak performance settings, and customize the controls without needing to navigate the full Windows desktop. The addition of a second USB-C port, which is Thunderbolt 4 compatible, is also a huge upgrade. It allows you to connect an external GPU (like the ASUS ROG XG Mobile ) for desktop-level performance or simply charge the device while using a USB-C hub for accessories.
ASUS ROG Ally X Estimated Price
*Prices are approximate and based on the 1TB model. Actual retail prices may vary depending on the retailer, taxes, and import duties in your region.
Final Verdict: The New Handheld Champion?
Gadget Bears' Recommendation
The ASUS ROG Ally X is a testament to the power of listening to your community. ASUS has taken the solid foundation of the original Ally and systematically addressed its biggest flaws. The result is a more refined, more comfortable, and significantly longer-lasting handheld gaming PC.
Who should buy it? If you are a serious PC gamer who wants the freedom to play your entire library on the go without being tied to a single ecosystem like Steam, the ROG Ally X is arguably the best handheld on the market today. The massive battery upgrade alone makes it a worthy successor and a formidable competitor to the Steam Deck and other rivals. While it comes at a premium price, the performance, features, and improved design justify the cost for dedicated gamers. The king of handheld gaming may have a new name, and it's the ROG Ally X.
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