In the ever-evolving world of portable gaming, where devices like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch 2 have set the bar, Asus and Microsoft have teamed up to deliver something ambitious: the ROG Xbox Ally X. Launched on October 16, 2025, this $999 powerhouse promises to blend the seamless ecosystem of Xbox with the raw versatility of a Windows-based PC handheld. But does it live up to the hype as an actual “Xbox on the go,” or is it just another premium PC in disguise? After diving deep into its performance, design, and quirks, it’s clear this device excels in raw power and comfort—but stumbles on software polish and value.
Design and Build: Ergonomics That Feel Like Home
The ROG Xbox Ally X is a beast at first glance, measuring 291 x 122 x 51mm and weighing in at around 670g—beefier than its predecessor, the ROG Ally X, but remarkably comfortable for extended sessions. Asus has borrowed heavily from the Xbox Wireless Controller’s DNA, with enlarged grips, anti-slip textures, and hall-effect analog sticks that promise precision without the dreaded stick drift. The all-black chassis exudes a premium vibe, complete with impulse triggers on the X model, providing nuanced haptic feedback that rivals dedicated controllers.
The 7-inch IPS touchscreen is a standout, featuring a 1080p resolution at 120Hz with FreeSync Premium support and up to 500 nits of brightness. It’s not OLED, but the colors pop vividly, and the variable refresh rate keeps gameplay buttery smooth, even when frame rates dip. Audio comes from dual speakers that deliver surprisingly rich, bassy sound—far better than the tinny output on many rivals—while keeping fan noise whisper-quiet under load (temps rarely exceed 70°C).
Battery life is a highlight, thanks to the upgraded 80Wh cell. In lighter titles like Hades II, you can squeeze 3-4 hours; demanding AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 hover around 2 hours in Turbo mode. It’s a step up from the original Ally, but don’t expect all-day marathons without a charger nearby.
Performance: Power That Punches Above Its Weight
Under the hood, the ROG Xbox Ally X packs AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme APU—an octa-core Zen 5 beast with 16 RDNA 3.5 GPU cores, a 50 TOPS NPU for AI upscaling, 24GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD (expandable via M.2 2280 slot). This setup outperforms the competition, especially at lower wattages where efficiency is a key advantage.
In benchmarks, it outperforms the Steam Deck OLED and even edges out the MSI Claw 8 AI+ in titles like Forza Horizon 5 (60+ FPS on high settings at 15W). Cyberpunk 2077, with RT off, achieves 40-50 FPS on medium settings, while lighter indie titles like Hollow Knight: Silksong run flawlessly at 120 FPS. Turbo mode unleashes the full 30W TDP for console-like fidelity when docked to a TV, making it a versatile living-room companion.
The included three-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription sweetens the deal, giving instant access to a massive library. Features like Automatic Super Resolution (via the NPU) intelligently upscale games, squeezing extra frames without compromising visual quality. For Steam and Epic users, integration is seamless—though you’ll still launch storefronts manually.
Software: Xbox Full Screen Experience—Promising, But Half-Baked
This is where the “Xbox” branding shines—and falters. The device boots straight into the new Xbox Full Screen Experience, a controller-optimized UI that mimics a console dashboard. Navigating your library, quick-resuming games, and tweaking settings via the dedicated Xbox button feels intuitive, with a “My Library” shortcut for one-tap access. It’s a godsend for couch co-op, letting you sideload multiplayer sessions without a second console.
But it’s no revolution. Updates remain a fragmented nightmare: You’ll still need to dip into desktop Windows 11 for Armoury Crate tweaks, Microsoft Store patches, and driver downloads—none of which are unified in Full Screen mode. Game Pass cloud streaming works, but local Xbox console titles? Only if they’re Play Anywhere certified; otherwise, you’re stuck with suboptimal cloud play or repurchasing for PC. Screenshots don’t auto-sync to OneDrive easily, and launcher-hopping (from Steam to Epic) breaks the “console-like” illusion.
Microsoft promises expansions in 2026, including broader handheld optimizations, but right now, it’s a polished PC shell rather than a true Xbox evolution. For pure PC gamers, it’s fine; for console purists expecting seamless library portability, it’s frustrating.
Verdict: A Powerhouse for PC Enthusiasts, Not Console Converts
The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X earns a solid 8.5/10—it’s the best Windows handheld money can buy, outpacing rivals in power and comfort while teasing Microsoft’s multi-device future. If you’re deep in the PC ecosystem, dipping into Game Pass, or craving a docked TV beast, this is your ticket to portable bliss. Titles like Gears of War: Reloaded or Final Fantasy Tactics feel reborn in your hands.
However, at $999, it’s a luxury buy that demands tolerance for Windows’ rough edges. Console die-hards hoping for a plug-and-play Xbox Series S portable will feel shortchanged by the compatibility gaps and UI polish needed. Wait for those 2026 updates if you’re on the fence—or snag the cheaper $599 ROG Xbox Ally for a taste without the splurge. Either way, Asus and Xbox are onto something big; this is just the alpha test.