Xbox is at a crossroads. With the PlayStation 5 and the upcoming Switch 2 dominating mindshare, and recent Xbox Series S and X price hikes stalling their momentum, Microsoft needs a new strategy. Major retailers like Costco have even stopped carrying the console. So what is the company to do? One path is to ride out the current generation and launch a powerful new console later. Another, more drastic option, is to follow Sega’s lead and become a third-party publisher. But Microsoft, in partnership with ASUS, is testing a third route with the ROG Xbox Ally and the higher-end ROG Xbox Ally X. This is Microsoft’s first real attempt at a portable gaming PC, and it brings a distinctly Xbox flavor to the handheld market. Design and Feel At first glance, the ROG Xbox Ally X looks similar to previous ASUS handhelds. Look closer, and you will see the Xbox DNA. It features the classic ABXY button layout, Impulse triggers with satisfying travel, and the signature Xbox home button. The device feels like a natural, portable extension of an Xbox controller, complete with comfortable, substantial grips. The centerpiece is a 7-inch IPS LCD screen with a 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It is bright, at 500 nits, and offers good contrast, though it cannot match the pure blacks of an OLED display like the one found on the Lenovo Legion Go 2. On the top edge, you will find two USB-C ports, a microSD card reader, and a 3.5mm audio jack. One of the USB-C ports is a Thunderbolt 4 connection, allowing for use with external GPU docks. Performance and Power The ROG Xbox Ally X is the premium model, equipped with an AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chip, 24GB of shared memory, and 1TB of storage. More importantly, Microsoft has worked its magic on the software side, optimizing background processes in Windows 11 to eke out more performance. In testing, the Ally X delivered slightly higher frame rates than a key competitor with the same chip. In Cyberpunk 2077, it hit 62.1 fps compared to 57.5 fps on the rival device. This performance boost, while not massive, shows the benefit of Microsoft’s software tuning. The device offers different power modes, with the full 35-watt Turbo Mode requiring a wall plug for maximum performance. The New Xbox Handheld Experience The software is where the ROG Xbox Ally X truly stands out. Microsoft has created a new, full-screen Xbox experience that launches automatically. This eliminates the need to fumble with the Windows desktop before jumping into a game. The interface is clean and intuitive, putting your game library, Xbox Game Pass, and cloud gaming front and center. Pressing the Xbox button brings up a comprehensive Command Center for quick settings adjustments. New swipe gestures make navigation a breeze; swiping up from the bottom, for instance, lets you switch between open apps effortlessly. While you can still access the full Windows desktop for other stores like Steam, the default experience is streamlined and focused on gaming, a welcome change for a Windows handheld. Battery Life The Ally X model features a large 80WHr battery. In a test playing a demanding game at full HD and maximum brightness, it lasted nearly three and a half hours. This is about 30 minutes longer than a key competitor and a full hour longer than the previous generation ASUS handheld. For a device of this power, the battery life is respectable, especially if you are willing to lower settings or brightness. The Bottom Line The ROG Xbox Ally X is a compelling, high-end handheld PC. It is not a market disruptor, but it successfully translates the Xbox ecosystem into a portable form factor. The new software interface is a game-changer for Windows-based handhelds, making them far more user-friendly. The familiar controller layout and excellent performance will appeal to Xbox fans. The main drawback is the price. At one thousand dollars, it is a significant investment, far above the entry point for a device like the Steam Deck. This positions it as a premium device for gamers deeply invested in the Xbox ecosystem or those who want the most powerful handheld experience possible. If you are a dedicated Xbox fan looking for a powerful way to take your Game Pass library and digital purchases on the go, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a top-tier option. For those less tied to Microsoft’s world, more affordable alternatives may make more sense. But with this device, Microsoft has proven it can bring meaningful innovation to the portable PC gaming space.
