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The Asus ROG Ally X stands out as a potential standout in the world of Windows 11 gaming handhelds. Building on the success of its predecessor, the Asus ROG Ally, renowned as one of the top handheld gaming consoles, the ROG Ally X brings several enhancements that elevate its gaming experience. Having had a chance to get hands-on with this device, it has left a positive impression on me.
What sets the ROG Ally X apart? While it retains the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip and 1080p ISP display of its predecessor, the device sports a new ergonomic design, a larger battery, increased storage capacity, and additional memory. These upgrades, though they come at a premium price of $799, enhance the device’s appeal, particularly for dedicated handheld gamers seeking an alternative to the Steam Deck OLED.
Stay tuned for our comprehensive review of the Asus ROG Ally X. For now, here’s an overview of the handheld’s key features and what you can anticipate upon its release.
Enhanced Design
The ROG Ally X has undergone significant design refinements to offer improved ergonomics and user comfort.
A noticeable change is in its weight; the new handheld weighs 1.5 pounds compared to the 1.3 pounds of its predecessor. Despite the slight increase in weight, the ROG Ally X is well-balanced, ensuring it feels ergonomic in hand.
Another design update relates to port placement and selection. The Ally X now features two USB-C ports, a volume rocker, a micro SD slot, a headphone jack, and a power button, instead of the previous configuration. The removal of the ROG XG mobile port in favor of an extra USB-C port is a practical choice, considering the limited utility of the former.
The device maintains the layout of its face buttons, shoulder buttons, and analog sticks, with a revamped d-pad for improved usability. However, the smaller back buttons remain a minor drawback, lacking the desired tactile feel.
Overall, the design enhancements in the ROG Ally X are commendable.
Increased Battery Capacity
The larger battery in the ROG Ally X, double the capacity of its predecessor at 80Wh, contributes to the device’s increased weight. Asus claims that the Ally X offers double the battery life, potentially lasting close to 3 hours at 15W. This extended battery performance, if proven accurate, would be a noteworthy improvement.
Additionally, the reduced noise output of the Ally X compared to the original model indicates better thermal management or enhanced battery efficiency. The diminished fan noise during gaming sessions is a notable upgrade, enhancing the overall user experience. Further testing will reveal the true extent of the Ally X’s battery performance.
Achieving a solid 3 hours of gameplay on a single charge would be a significant advantage for this device.
Improved Performance Potential
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In testing with Doom Eternal, there was an approximately 5 fps increase observed at both 720p and 1080p resolutions. This improvement could be attributed to the larger battery, increased RAM (24GB versus 16GB), and faster SSD. While these are personal observations and not reflective of formal benchmark tests, they do show promise.
Despite potential limitations in performance gains, any incremental improvement in performance is welcomed. Looking ahead, the Asus ROG Ally X is expected to maintain the standard set by its predecessor, offering enhancements that users may appreciate.
For a comprehensive review of the Asus ROG Ally X, keep an eye out for our upcoming detailed review.
Source: Tom’s Guide
