ROG Xbox Ally X: The Future of Great Portable Gaming?

By Stefan @ WeDoTech

The ROG Xbox Ally X has quickly become one of the most talked-about portable gaming devices of 2025. It’s not just another handheld console — it’s a full Windows machine capable of running nearly any game you can throw at it. This review dives into the setup experience, performance, and whether the Ally X could realistically replace your console or even your laptop.

And we chose the best way to review the ROG Xbox Ally X which is by testing it on a Cinema screen, because who wants another boring review? (Full video below)

What Happened

During testing, the setup was an adventure. To project the gameplay onto a massive screen, we had to chain together multiple adapters. The ROG Xbox Ally X connects via USB-C, but the projector only supported HDMI. The solution? An HDMI-to-Ethernet adapter, a Cat-6 cable running across the room, then another Ethernet-to-HDMI adapter, and finally a USB-C converter. Three adapters later, the image finally appeared — a surprisingly fitting metaphor for PC gaming.

Once connected, the results were amazing. The Ally X’s new Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip with 16 dedicated graphics cores and 24GB of RAM pushed the image flawlessly. The handheld also packs an 80Wh battery, which is massive for a device this size. Even while pushing heavy visuals to a projector, it held up impressively well.

Key Features

• Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip: Delivers desktop-like performance in a compact body.
• 16 graphics cores: Handles demanding AAA titles smoothly at 1080p.
• 24GB LPDDR5 RAM: Future-proof multitasking for both gaming and productivity.
• 80Wh battery: Provides longer sessions compared to the original Ally.
• 120Hz display: Crisp, smooth visuals even when playing fast-paced games.
• Improved ergonomics: Wider grips and better button spacing make long sessions comfortable.

The USB-C ports also allow for plenty of flexibility. The left port supports Thunderbolt 4 speeds, perfect for high-speed SSDs, while the right port handles general peripherals or displays. This kind of thoughtful I/O is exactly what differentiates the Ally X from its competitors.

Criticism

Despite the upgrades, the ROG Xbox Ally X still faces a few criticisms. First, the adapter situation highlights how complicated Windows handheld gaming can still be. For casual users expecting a console-like plug-and-play experience, the required setup may be intimidating.

Additionally, while the 80Wh battery sounds impressive, performance-hungry games can still drain it in under two hours. The handheld runs hot, and without careful settings adjustment, fans can get loud quickly. Pricing also pushes the limits of what “portable gaming” should cost — the Ally X sits close to entry-level gaming laptops.

Competitor Comparison

Compared to the Steam Deck OLED, the ROG Xbox Ally X easily wins on raw power, screen refresh rate, and RAM. However, Valve’s ecosystem and Linux optimization offer smoother plug-and-play performance. The Lenovo Legion Go matches the Ally X on specs but is bulkier and has weaker battery endurance.

Where the Ally X really shines is flexibility. Being a full Windows 11 device, it supports Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games Store, and even emulation (within legal limits). This makes it more of a portable gaming PC than a handheld console.

Final Thoughts

The ROG Xbox Ally X represents the future of portable gaming — powerful, versatile, but still a little rough around the edges. Once it’s properly set up, it delivers a near-desktop gaming experience in your hands, whether you’re connected to a projector or relaxing on the couch.

If ASUS can refine software integration and cooling in future versions, the Ally X might just become the benchmark for all handheld PCs. For now, it’s a bold statement: portable doesn’t have to mean underpowered.

If you enjoyed this review check out one of our favorite budget controllers, the MSI FORCE GC300.