Asus ROG Ally X: Specs

• Price Range in UAE:  AED 2,500 to AED 2,700
• Display: 7-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), 120Hz, 500 nits
• CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
• Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
• RAM: 24GB LPDDR5X-7500
• Storage: 1TB M.2 2280 SSD
• Port selection: 2x USB Type-C ports, 1x combo jack, 1x SD card reader slot
• Weight: 678g
• Dimensions: 280.2 x 114 x 36.9mm (WxDxH)

Asus Rog Ally X: Design

There have been several changes to the Asus ROG Ally X's design, inside and out, based on valuable user feedback and modders' upgrade videos.

The chassis is now larger, providing space for a better motherboard, more memory and storage, and a bigger battery, among other upgrades. The larger chassis also makes it more comfortable for people with bigger hands, and the button layout has been adjusted to prevent accidental presses.

The joysticks have been completely redesigned to be stiffer and more durable, and you may notice the difference right away when testing them in a few games. They're also bigger and have a comfortable rubber grip, which is great for long gaming sessions. The D-pad is more precise and better designed, making it easier to navigate menus in and out of games.

Inside, the larger chassis allows for better fans. Even though the fans are smaller, they push out more hot air, so the vents no longer blow extremely hot air from the top when you reach for the controls. This also allowed Asus to update the components, inspired by DIY videos showing similar modifications. Additionally, you can now add upgrades more easily without having to take apart the entire outer casing.

Asus Rog Ally X: Performance

The gameplay performance of the Asus ROG Ally X remains smooth and nearly free of stutters. The processor and display haven't been upgraded in this model, so the core experience is about the same.

However, the design improvements make a noticeable difference in gameplay. The new joysticks and D-pad make navigating through games easier, and the larger size and adjusted button layout prevent accidental presses and make the system more comfortable to use.

The extra RAM is a big help for running more demanding AAA games that the original ROG Ally sometimes struggled with, and the increased storage lets you install a large collection of top PC games.

Another significant upgrade is the battery, which has doubled in capacity to 80Wh. If it can provide six hours or more of gameplay, that alone would be a great reason to choose this system, as even the Steam Deck can't match that.

Final Thoughts

The Asus ROG Ally X looks very promising so far. While it's just a stopgap before the eventual ROG Ally 2, it includes many quality-of-life improvements that fix almost every issue buyers had with the original ROG Ally. If you're looking for a new PC gaming handheld that's not the Steam Deck, this could be a strong competitor.

However, one potential drawback is that the processor hasn't been updated, so performance will likely be similar to the original model. With the original ROG Ally's price dropping and the ROG Ally X starting off expensive, this could be a key factor in its success.