ROG Ally X Review: Is ASUS's Ambitious Refresh the Ultimate Handheld Gaming Machine?

The original ASUS ROG Ally entered the fiercely competitive handheld gaming PC arena with a bang, but not without its share of growing pains. Now, ASUS is back with a refined successor, the ROG Ally X, aiming to address critical feedback and solidify its position. But does this 'X' factor truly deliver a transformative experience, or is it merely an iterative tweak?

From the moment you pick up the ROG Ally X, the immediate impression is one of subtle yet significant evolution.

ASUS has clearly listened to the community, focusing on areas that truly matter for a portable gaming device: battery life and ergonomics. The black finish gives it a sleek, more understated look compared to its white predecessor. While the overall form factor is familiar, the redesigned grips feel noticeably more comfortable, making those extended gaming sessions less of a strain.

The triggers and bumpers have also been refined, offering a more satisfying click and tactile response.

Under the hood, the Ally X retains the formidable AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, a beast that continues to deliver impressive performance across a wide range of titles. However, the true game-changer here is the significantly upgraded 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, up from the original's 16GB.

This boost is crucial for modern games, allowing for smoother multitasking and ensuring that even demanding titles have enough headroom. Complementing this is a more generous 1TB NVMe SSD, providing ample space for your game library without constantly worrying about storage.

Battery life was a common point of contention with the original Ally.

The Ally X tackles this head-on with a substantially larger 80Wh battery, a monumental leap from the previous 40Wh. In real-world testing, this translates to a remarkable improvement, offering up to twice the playtime depending on the game and settings. This extended endurance is a crucial factor for a handheld, transforming it from a 'play near an outlet' device to a true on-the-go gaming companion.

The display remains a vibrant 7-inch, 1080p, 120Hz IPS panel with FreeSync Premium support.

It's a gorgeous screen that brings games to life with excellent color reproduction and smooth motion. The high refresh rate is a particular highlight for competitive titles, offering a fluid visual experience that belies the device's compact size. While the display technology hasn't changed, its continued excellence is a strong point.

ASUS has also tweaked the I/O, replacing the proprietary XG Mobile port with two USB-C ports, including one with Thunderbolt 4 support.

This is a welcome change, offering greater versatility for connecting external peripherals, docks, and even eGPUs without proprietary connectors. The redesigned fan, though slightly larger, promises more efficient cooling, ensuring the device runs cooler and quieter under load.

Software experience is always key, and Armoury Crate SE continues to be the central hub for managing games and settings.

While it has seen improvements over time, it still has moments where it feels a bit clunky. However, its core functionality of providing quick access to performance profiles, game launchers, and system settings is indispensable. Windows 11 underpins the experience, offering full PC versatility, albeit with the occasional desktop mode quirks on a small screen.

The ROG Ally X isn't a revolutionary redesign, but rather a meticulously engineered refinement.

It addresses nearly all the significant criticisms leveled at its predecessor, particularly the battery life, RAM, and storage. While it comes at a premium, the enhancements justify the cost for serious handheld gamers who demand top-tier performance and endurance. If you were on the fence about the original or are looking for a powerful, portable Windows gaming solution, the ROG Ally X makes a compelling case as one of the best handhelds money can buy today.