ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X
ASUS

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X

A comfortable Windows handheld with fast Z2 Extreme silicon and an Xbox interface, at a premium price.

  • AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (8 cores, 16 threads, up to 50 TOPS NPU)
  • 7"
  • 120 Hz
  • 80 Wh
  • 715 g

PCPR score

7.8

Good

Best price we’ve seen

$1,000Nov 9

Checked recently. Confirm at the retailer.

See it at Best BuyOfficial page

R1

The short version

The ROG Xbox Ally X pairs AMD's Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme with 24GB of LPDDR5X, a 1TB M.2 SSD and a 7-inch 1080p 120 Hz IPS screen in a 715 g body with an 80 Wh battery. Reviewers praised its controller-style grips and Microsoft's full-screen Xbox interface, but found the gains over earlier Z1 Extreme handhelds modest for the price. It suits players who want the best Windows handheld ergonomics and can pay for them.

Pros

  • Controller-style grips earned comfort praise from both Tom's Hardware and PC Gamer
  • Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme APU with 8 cores and 16 threads
  • 24GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB M.2 SSD
  • 80 Wh battery and 1080p 120 Hz FreeSync Premium panel
  • Xbox full-screen experience improves on the Windows desktop handheld interface

Cons

  • PC Gamer found the gains over Z1 Extreme devices modest for the price
  • Only 7-inch IPS screen at 1080p, with no OLED option
  • 715 g is heavier than the Steam Deck OLED and original Ally X
  • PC Gamer felt it falls short of a true Xbox experience despite the full-screen interface

Best for

  • Windows handheld buyers who prioritize comfort
  • Xbox Game Pass players who want a console-style interface
  • Players who want top handheld performance at 720p to 1080p

SYS1

Configurations

ConfigurationProcessorGraphicsMemoryStoragePrice
Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme · 24GB · 1TBAMD Ryzen AI Z2 ExtremeAMD Radeon Graphics (integrated)24 GB1 TB$1,000

J5

What you can upgrade later

Memory

Unconfirmed

The maker doesn’t publish its slot layout. Check before buying more memory.

Browse memory

Storage

Unconfirmed

Free storage slots aren’t published for this model.

Browse storage

Graphics card

Unconfirmed

Maximum card length isn’t published.

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Processor

Unconfirmed

A drop-in upgrade depends on the socket and the maker’s BIOS. Check the board before buying a CPU.

Browse processor

Power supply

Unconfirmed

The maker doesn’t say whether the PSU is standard.

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Motherboard

Unconfirmed

The maker doesn’t say whether the board is standard.

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J3

Full specifications

Core

Processor
AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (8 cores, 16 threads, up to 50 TOPS NPU)

Display

Screen size
7"
Resolution
1920 x 1080
Refresh rate
120 Hz
Panel
IPS
Variable refresh rate
Yes

Memory

Memory
24 GB
Storage
1,000 GB

Power

Battery
80 Wh

Physical

Weight
715 g

Software

Operating system
Windows 11 Home

Compatibility notes

  • One USB4 Type-C port is Thunderbolt 4 compatible, alongside a USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port
  • Takes a standard M.2 2280 SSD and has a UHS-II microSD reader, per Tom's Hardware

P1

Where to buy

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. It never affects our scores or what we recommend. Prices move quickly, so confirm the final price at the retailer.

AV1

Video reviews

Positive · Review

ROG Xbox 掌机 X 上手体验：手感极佳的强大掌机！

极客湾Geekerwan

Hands-on review of the ROG Xbox Ally X handheld praising its redesigned grips and testing its performance with the Z2 Extreme chip.

Mixed · Review

ROG Xbox Ally X - a PC Gamer’s Perspective

Linus Tech Tips

Linus Tech Tips reviews the ROG Xbox Ally X from a PC gamer's perspective, questioning its Xbox identity and discussing its pricing.

Overview · Review

The first DisplayHDR True Black 1400 display we’ve tested! [Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 Display review]

TFTCentral

TFTCentral reviews the OLED display of the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X handheld, the first DisplayHDR True Black 1400 panel they have tested.

AV2

What reviewers and owners say

  • Tom's Hardware

    Mixed

    Liked the controller-style grips and Microsoft's handheld Xbox interface over the Windows desktop, and measured better performance from the Z2 Extreme, while cautioning that owners of existing handhelds may not need to upgrade.

    Review

    Read the source

  • PC Gamer

    Mixed

    Described it as the best handheld the reviewer had used, comfortable and quiet, yet difficult to recommend to most buyers because cheaper Z1 Extreme devices deliver similar performance.

    Review

    Read the source

Summaries are written in our words. Follow the links for each source’s own review.

R9

Common questions

Is it worth upgrading from an original Ally X or Z1 Extreme handheld?

PC Gamer and Tom's Hardware both found the upgrade hard to justify for existing Z1 Extreme owners, since the performance gains are modest relative to the price.

Can the SSD be replaced?

Tom's Hardware reports the 1TB drive uses a standard M.2 2280 form factor, so buyers can swap it for a larger NVMe SSD.

Does it support variable refresh rate?

Yes. ASUS lists a 120 Hz panel with AMD FreeSync Premium variable refresh and 500 nits of brightness.

J9Alternatives

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