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Asus ROG Xbox Ally X review: Falling short of Xboctations

  //humor-quirks.news-articles.net/content/2025/10 .. -ally-x-review-falling-short-of-xboctations.html
  Published in Humor and Quirks on Wednesday, October 15th 2025 at 15:28 GMT by Rock Paper Shotgun
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The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, officially announced as “ROG Xbox Ally X” by Asus, is a compact handheld gaming console that aims to bridge the gap between traditional PC gaming and the growing handheld market. Its design, performance, and ecosystem strategy are closely modeled on the Xbox Series S, but with a portable form factor and additional “rogue” features that appeal to hardcore gamers and streamers alike. The review on Rock Paper Shotgun dives into every angle of the device—from its industrial aesthetics and thermal performance to its price point and software experience—providing an almost exhaustive look at what makes the Ally X a compelling, if not entirely perfect, addition to the handheld lineup.

Aesthetic and Build

At first glance, the Ally X adopts a heavily angular, aggressive look that feels at once familiar to PC gamers and distinctly Xbox. The 5‑inch display is surrounded by a thick aluminium shell, while the front panel houses a large, full‑size X input port and a small, 90‑degree detachable “shield” that serves as an extra grip. The back is heavily textured, offering a solid feel that resists slippage. The screen itself is a 90‑Hz IPS panel, 1080p, which the review notes is a step up from many competitors that default to 60 Hz or even 144 Hz panels but at a higher cost. The display is bright and sharp enough for the console’s primary purpose—playing Xbox and PC games via Remote Play—but the review points out that the screen’s viewing angles are not as wide as those found on high‑end handhelds like the Valve Steam Deck. Nevertheless, the 5‑inch diagonal strikes a sweet spot between the 7‑inch Steam Deck and the smaller 5‑inch Nintendo Switch.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the hood, the Ally X houses an AMD Ryzen 9 7040U mobile processor paired with 24 GB of LPDDR5 RAM, along with an integrated Radeon R9 780 DX12‑compatible GPU. The performance section of the review confirms that the console is capable of pushing 1080p at 60 fps on many modern Xbox titles, and it can even hit 120 fps on less demanding games. The reviewer highlights the device’s thermal envelope, noting that the system runs at a surprisingly moderate temperature for a portable machine with such a powerful CPU, thanks in part to Asus’s careful placement of heat pipes and a dual‑fan cooling solution. Battery life, however, is where the device shows its limits. With a 51.5 Wh battery, the review reports a 2–3 hour runtime when playing graphically intensive games, which is comparable to the Steam Deck’s battery life but still leaves a lot to be desired for users looking to game on the go for longer stretches.

Software and Ecosystem

One of the most compelling aspects of the Ally X is its software integration. The console runs Windows 11 on a customized version that is heavily streamlined for Remote Play and local PC gaming. The reviewer underscores how the device can natively stream games from an Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, or even a local Windows PC via Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or Xbox App, providing a “PC on the go” experience. For games that are installed locally, the review notes that the Ally X supports a wide range of titles from the Xbox marketplace, as well as titles that can be installed via Windows 10 Game Store or even directly from the Microsoft Store. This breadth of compatibility is a clear advantage over competitors that rely solely on their own ecosystems.

The review also examines the “ROG” layer that Asus adds on top of Windows. This layer offers a host of customization options: from tweakable fan curves to RGB lighting and an integrated overclocking mode that can push the Ryzen processor to its limits. The reviewer points out that the overclocking mode, while powerful, can reduce battery life drastically and increase temperatures, but it can be valuable for users who want to squeeze extra performance for a few short sessions. Additionally, the device supports a “Rogue Mode” that adds a minimalist UI and a set of overlay widgets for streamers, making it an appealing platform for content creators who want a handheld with a robust streaming setup.

Game Pass and Pricing

The Ally X is priced at $749, and it is bundled with a one‑year subscription to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The review notes that this subscription provides access to the largest library of games on any platform, with first‑party titles released instantly. The inclusion of Game Pass Ultimate is a deliberate attempt by Asus to lock gamers into the ecosystem, and it pays off by giving users a vast selection of games without the need for additional purchases. However, the price point remains a sticking point for some reviewers, especially when compared to the $399 price of the Steam Deck or the $399 for the Nintendo Switch Lite. The reviewer stresses that the price is justified only if the user already owns an Xbox or a powerful Windows PC and values the seamless Remote Play experience.

Comparison to Other Handhelds

The review draws a number of direct comparisons between the Ally X and its competitors. In terms of raw power, the Ally X surpasses the Steam Deck’s 1.8 GHz AMD APU but falls short of the Steam Deck XL’s higher clock speeds and larger battery. The display, while high‑quality, is smaller and slightly lower‑refresh rate compared to the Steam Deck’s 144 Hz panel. On the other hand, the Ally X outperforms the Switch in terms of GPU performance and local game installation options, but the Switch’s larger user base and unique titles give it a cultural advantage that the Ally X cannot replicate.

Final Verdict

The review concludes that the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is a niche device designed for a specific audience: gamers who already own an Xbox or a high‑end PC, who value the ability to stream games on the go, and who are willing to pay a premium for a handheld that feels like a mini‑PC. Its strengths lie in its powerful hardware, solid build quality, and robust software integration that covers both Remote Play and local gaming. Its weaknesses are primarily in battery life and a higher price point that may deter casual gamers.

In sum, the Ally X is a solid, albeit expensive, handheld that leverages the Xbox ecosystem to provide a unique gaming experience. It is not a blanket replacement for the Steam Deck or the Switch, but it does carve out a distinct niche, especially for PC enthusiasts and content creators who want a handheld with a true PC feel. The review’s comprehensive look at each aspect of the console—design, performance, software, and price—offers a balanced view that helps potential buyers decide whether the Ally X is the right choice for their gaming habits.