The world of gaming handhelds is going through a bit of a whirl right now, with most of the major handhelds from last year already announcing new variants. Asus has entered the ring with the ROG Ally X. So, is it just another rehash? Well, yes—but it’s also a major upgrade to the original ROG Ally in almost every way… except maybe for your wallet.
ROG Ally X: A Price Tag Worth Moaning About?
Let’s not kid ourselves—the price is steep. Priced at ₹89,990, the ROG Ally X will make you think twice. However, this significant investment comes with several enhancements that address the most glaring flaws of the original ROG Ally. The battery life has been doubled, the thumb sticks now offer a more solid and grippy feel, the back buttons have been redesigned to be a LOT easier to use, and the microSD card slot has been relocated away from a notorious hotspot, preventing the overheating issues that plagued its predecessor.
What’s New Under the Hood?
The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU remains unchanged, still powering the higher-end models of the ROG Ally. But Asus has made notable upgrades: the RAM has been boosted from 16GB of LPDDR5 to 24GB of LPDDR5X, and the SSD capacity has doubled from 512GB to 1TB. The new SSD is not only larger but faster too, using the same M.2 2280 form factor found in most desktop PCs, as opposed to the smaller and slower 2230 drives typical in handhelds. Additionally, Asus has wisely swapped out the old ROG XG Mobile docking port for a second USB-C slot, making it more universally compatible.
ROG Ally X: Build and Design
These hardware upgrades do come with a bit of added heft. The ROG Ally X is noticeably thicker and heavier than the original, but these changes have also made it more comfortable to use.
The thumbsticks now feel like they belong on a premium gamepad, a far cry from the plasticky originals. The less cramped interior, aided by a third exhaust vent on the top edge, helps the ROG Ally X run cooler and quieter.
The larger outer shell also accommodates bigger shoulder buttons, which are far less likely to trap your fingers. Yes, it’s heavier in the hand, but not enough to make you miss your Steam Deck.
ROG Ally X Battery Life: A Game-Changer
The upgrade from a 40WHr to an 80WHr battery is one of the most significant improvements, literally doubling the battery life.
This enhancement is, without a doubt, the ROG Ally X’s greatest achievement. Finally, the Steam Deck OLED has a worthy competitor in terms of battery life. A portable device with poor battery life contradicts its very purpose, and despite the attention given to thumbstick texture and cooling vents, nothing enhances a device’s usability more than a significantly extended lifespan. On this front, the ROG Ally X is an instant upgrade over the original.
ROG Ally X Performance: More Than Just a RAM Upgrade
Surprisingly, the ROG Ally X also delivers better game performance. The upgraded RAM does some serious work, consistently providing framerate gains of 10% or more over the original ROG Ally. This makes the ROG Ally X not just a longer-lasting handheld, but a faster one too. The new 1TB SSD, besides offering more storage and being easier to replace, also speeds up game load times.
Value for Money: A Tough Decision
But do these refinements justify the ₹₹89,990 price tag? That’s a tougher question. Asus wasn’t likely to make these improvements and then offer the ROG Ally X at a discount. However, it’s nearly double the price of the original ROG Ally and the top-of-the-line, 1TB Steam Deck OLED. These are serious price differences, especially when you consider that the ROG Ally X is more of a refined version than a new generation of the device. Looking at the upgrades individually, the only truly transformative change is the battery life—something the Steam Deck OLED has offered for quite some time. And it even comes with a carrying case.
Game Compatibility: Where the ROG Ally X Shines
The ROG Ally X does have one clear advantage over the Steam Deck: game compatibility. Its Windows 11 OS doesn’t suffer from the anti-cheat and launcher issues that can plague SteamOS, and it allows you to play your Game Pass titles natively—no cloud streaming required. However, Windows isn’t without its flaws when used on a handheld device. Navigating a full desktop OS with thumbsticks and a touchscreen can be awkward, and bugs tend to pop up more frequently than on a traditional gaming PC.
ROG Ally X Verdict: Worth the Upgrade?
So, where does that leave us? The ROG Ally X is without a doubt the best Windows handheld on the market right now. It’s clearly a step up from the original, with better battery life, performance, and build quality that outweigh the uniqueness and flexibility of the Lenovo Legion Go. Yes, the price is steep, and you might want to rage against Asus for pushing it close to a lakh, but if you want the best Windows-based portable gaming experience available today, the ROG Ally X is your go-to choice. Just be ready to shell out the big bucks.
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Manish Rajesh
Manish can usually be found fervently playing video games of all kinds or… no wait he’s pretty much always playing games View Full Profile
