ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X Review: Is This the Ultimate Handheld Gaming PC?

ASUS's new gaming handheld, the ROG Xbox Ally X, is now available in India. With a starting price of Rs 1,14,990, the device combines console-like ergonomics with PC-level specifications. Developed together with Microsoft’s Xbox division, the Ally X almost completely relies on Xbox controller design, presenting responsive triggers, customizable buttons, and grips optimized for long gaming sessions.

The 7-inch touchscreen features full HD resolution at 120Hz and 500 nits peak brightness. The internal hardware of the handheld consists of AMD’s Ryzen Z2 Extreme APU along with Radeon graphics 890M. The device has 24GB LPDDR5X RAM memory and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD storage, which can be upgraded since it comes in the 2280 form factor. It uses Windows 11 Home and weighs 670 grams.

The Ally X gives console users a comfortable feeling and a similar design. Thick, contoured grips and a textured back keep things stable over long sessions. There are two USB-C ports, one being high-speed for connecting external devices or storing data. Each trigger has its own vibration motor that gives off a feeling of being physically present in the game when it comes to action and racing.

Although the design is inspired by consoles, some controls still need to be adapted. The extra buttons displayed around the screen are likely to confuse the users who are new to the product at first, and the rear buttons will still be stiff and less accessible. The thumbsticks are smooth and very precise, while the bumpers deliver a nice feedback. Resistance on triggers is good for general play but may seem light for precise racing input.

When the Ally X is powered on for the first time, it takes the user through Windows settings while pointing out that it is mainly a handheld PC. The appearance is the same as the Xbox app on a computer, with parts for Game Pass, purchased games, and cloud gaming. The overall movement around the screen is easy, but sometimes the lags happen when the Microsoft Store is opened or when the Game Pass titles are accessed. A special button for Xbox lets the users switch their platforms such as Xbox, Steam, and Epic Games quickly, thereby giving the multi-platform gamers more flexibility.

During the testing period, the combination of the Ryzen Z2 Extreme and the Radeon 890M graphics rendered performance without hiccup for most games. The action games like Doom: The Dark Ages and the adventure ones like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle were all played at constant fps. Even lighter ones like Expedition 33 and Avowed occasionally experienced the stutters. The case was the same with cloud gaming: it was dependable only with a strong internet connection, so users were able to play any title that was not already installed but was on the cloud.

The battery of the Ally X is of 80Wh type. A demanding game can drain the battery and give about two hours of playtime, while a light or 2D game can allow the runtime to be around three and a half hours. USB-C charging is simple and quick, so it would not be a problem to carry this device around or use it for short sessions while on the move.

The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X is a blend of premium components, ergonomics inspired by Xbox, and access to different platforms. Though the issues of the rear button position, trigger push, and occasional interface slowdowns stop it from being perfect, the device wins in comfort, performance, and versatility. For the gamers ready to part with Rs 1,14,990, the Ally X is a pocket-sized console-quality gaming product.