ROG Ally X: How Does It Stack Against Its Older Brother [Review] (2025)

Yes, I’m fully aware that I’m 4 months and thousands of impressions late – unfortunately I have a day job that takes precendence, ontop of beautiful twins I prioritize. Alas, I can’t help that I absolutely adore handheld gaming; when I got my hands on the Z1 Extreme back in June 2023, I was blown away by its potential. Yes, there are far more powerful machines that houses better chipsets, but they cost double and ROG Ally offered just enough boost to outperform Steam Deck, and allowed for more games to play like Destiny 2 – at a great price range. But, it just needed a bit more “oomf”, so I eagerly hoped that ASUS would design a “pro” model. Then the ROG Ally X was revealed and launched just over a year after the original. Here are my thoughts.

When it comes to handheld gaming, ASUS is in a league of its own with the ROG Ally X, a device built to blur the lines between performance and affordability. While the original ROG Ally Z1 Extreme made waves, the Ally X refines the formula with a key focus on ergonomic design, storage flexibility and technical boost, promising uncompromising performance on the go. After spending extensive hours testing games like God of War Ragnarök, Cyberpunk 2077, and Destiny 2, I’ve come away both impressed and critical of what ASUS delivers in this upgraded unit.

Build, Design, and Usability

At first glance, the Ally X retains much of the visual appeal of its predecessor, with important improvements. The adjusted ergonomic design ensures long gaming sessions with improved grips, textures and slightly positioned buttons—a crucial factor when grinding for materials in Destiny 2 or hunting achievements. The button and haptics feel refined, offering better tactile feedback and a premium touch. One standout feature is its support for full-size M.2 SSDs. This improvement unlocks massive potential for gamers needing more storage for AAA titles or multi-platform libraries. Despite the enhanced functionality, the overall design remains compact, avoiding the bulkiness associated with such upgrades.

The 7-inch 1080p display continues to shine with its vibrant color accuracy and high refresh rate, making games feel crisp and fluid. Combined with AMD’s Radeon Super Resolution (RSR) and Anti-Lag technology, the visuals remain sharp even when scaling resolutions or balancing performance.

Let’s get into the heart of the experience: performance. Equipped with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, this handheld thrives on the same versatility found in the original ROG Ally. Testing was conducted across multiple power modes, including 25W in handheld mode and 30W while connected, to simulate realistic scenarios. Here’s how the Ally X performed in demanding titles:

God of War Ragnarök

• Graphics Settings: Medium textures, high models, low shadows, high tessellation, and ambient occlusion.
• Resolution and FSR: 1080p with FSR 3.1 Balanced, capped at 60fps.
• Performance:
  • 60fps at 30W Turbo+ mode.
  • 52-60fps at 25W Turbo mode.
    Even during intense combat sequences, the Ally X maintained impressive stability with only minor dips under 25W.

Cyberpunk 2077

• Preset: Steam Deck, with low crowd density.
• FSR: Balanced mode for improved performance.
• Performance:
  • 51-60fps in Turbo+ mode.
  • 45-51fps in Turbo mode.
    Night City felt alive with a stable frame rate, and the Ally X handled dense areas surprisingly well.

Destiny 2

• Graphics Settings: Very High.
• Performance: 57-71fps across both Turbo modes.
  Raids and PvE missions were buttery smooth, making it my go-to for grinding materials on the fly.

Across all games, the GPU’s allocated 8GB video memory and CPU boost mode provided consistent results, even when jumping between demanding titles. The device’s cooling system held up admirably during long gaming sessions, though I noticed a slight rise in surface temperature after extended play on Turbo+ mode.

ROG Ally X vs. ROG Ally Z1 Extreme

At its core, the Ally X doesn’t reinvent the wheel but rather builds upon the Z1 Extreme’s solid foundation. Here’s how the two stack up:

ROG Ally X vs. Steam Deck OLED

Valve’s Steam Deck OLED is often the Ally X’s most direct competitor, so how does ASUS’s handheld hold up?

The Steam Deck OLED’s stunning display and affordability make it a strong contender, but the Ally X’s performance and customization options clearly position it for gamers who prioritize raw power and versatility.

Final Thoughts

The ROG Ally X solidifies ASUS’s position as one of the leading mainline PC handheld solutions. While it doesn’t revolutionize the market, it offers meaningful upgrades, particularly with storage and subtle design tweaks. For those who already own the Z1 Extreme, upgrading to the Ally X may not be necessary unless storage flexibility is a priority. However, if you’re stepping into handheld gaming for the first time or looking to future-proof your setup, this device delivers.

Its performance during extensive testing with God of War Ragnarok, Cyberpunk 2077, and Destiny 2 proved its capabilities as a portable powerhouse. From grinding in Destiny 2 to chasing achievements or just simply playing your backlogs or emulators, the Ally X stands out as a versatile and robust gaming companion. While the Steam Deck OLED offers a unique value proposition with its vibrant display and affordability, the Ally X’s raw power and versatility make it the better choice for gamers who demand more from their handhelds. If handheld gaming is part of your lifestyle, the ROG Ally X is hard to beat.

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