It has finally happened – Xbox at last has a portable system. The highly anticipated Asus ROG Xbox Ally X has already started to arrive for some lucky customers. Though the handheld is not set to have its official launch until October 16, some users have already received their device and have begun delivering early verdicts about how it looks, feels, and performs.
Several posts have appeared on Reddit showing users accepting delivery of ROG Xbox Ally X, or unboxing them. The majority of these posts seem to indicate that Amazon France is the reason for the broken street date.
As you can see from the table below, ROG Xbox Ally X offers more-powerful processor and faster LPDDR5X memory. Both will improve gaming performance over the original ROG Ally X, with some users anticipating a ~10% improvement.
| ROG Xbox Ally X | ROG Ally X | |
|---|---|---|
| Launch Date | Oct 2025 | Jul 2024 |
| OS | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| RAM | 24GB LPDDR5X | 24GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD | 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD |
| Display | 7in IPS (1080p/120Hz) | 7in IPS (1080p/120Hz) |
| Battery | 80WHrs | 80WHrs |
| MSRP | £799.99 | £799.99 |
As you might expect, those who did get units early are already offering their opinions. Some users expressed oft-repeated concerns about the relatively small screen size – which has remained consistent since the 2023 ROG Ally – and lack of an OLED option.
Comfort is of paramount importance on any handheld, and the initial signs on this front are positive. According to the lucky few who have managed to go hands-on, the controller experience is much improved, with one user comparing the Xbox Ally with their Xbox One controller, claiming the feel to be almost identical. Praise was also given to the general ergonomics, which make the device more comfortable to hold, particularly for long periods.
Since these handhelds have only just left the packaging, full data on the battery performance is not yet available, but some users have begun to experiment with TDP settings to extract more battery life from the device.
Overall, the early experience for these users seems to be positive, though complaints about the high price of the device remain. As someone who loves their Steam Deck, ROG Xbox Ally X is an interesting device, but does seem to be fairly large, and not necessarily suited for small hands like mine. The lack of an OLED screen despite the hefty price point is also a bit eyebrow-raising.
We are looking forward to getting our own hands on one for thorough testing, so keep an eye out for our review coverage.
