ROG Ally X: The Pocket-Sized Powerhouse Giving Steam Deck Sleepless Nights
Introduction: The Handheld Gaming War Just Got Real
Remember when the Steam Deck was hailed as the king of handheld PC gaming? That sweet combo of power and portability had gamers raving. But just when Valve thought they had the throne secured, ASUS decided to shake things up—again.
Introducing the ROG Ally X, a beastly little machine that’s got everyone talking. If the original ROG Ally was a bold statement, the Ally X is ASUS flexing—hard. It’s not just a refresh; it’s a declaration of war. And guess what? The Steam Deck might actually be sweating this time.
So what’s the big deal about the ROG Ally X? Is it just hype, or are we looking at the next big thing in handheld gaming? Let’s dig in.
What’s New With the ROG Ally X?
🔋 Bigger Battery, Way Better Stamina
The original ROG Ally had a lot going for it, but battery life? Meh. The Ally X fixes this loud and clear. It reportedly features an 80Wh battery, almost double the capacity of the previous model’s 40Wh.
Translation? You can game for 6 to 8 hours on medium settings without stress. No more hunting for power outlets at airports or cafés. This is a huge win for mobile gamers who actually want to stay mobile.
đź’ľ Upgraded Storage and RAM
ASUS is done playing it safe. The Ally X packs a whopping 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM—blazing fast and future-ready. That means smoother gameplay, faster app switching, and better multitasking.
Oh, and the 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD? That’s serious space. AAA games like Starfield or Modern Warfare III eat storage for breakfast, so this upgrade is no joke. You can also upgrade it yourself later—something Steam Deck OLED users can’t do unless they love taking risks with hardware.
🌡️ Cooler, Quieter, Smarter
Thermal performance got a big revamp. ASUS redesigned the cooling solution with better fans, improved vents, and smarter heat dissipation. In practical terms? You get higher frame rates without the jet engine fan noise.
According to early testers, the Ally X stays cooler than the original even under load. That’s impressive for a handheld Windows machine with this much horsepower.
ROG Ally X vs Steam Deck OLED: Specs Face-Off
Let’s talk numbers. Here's how the Ally X squares up against the Steam Deck OLED.
| Feature | ROG Ally X | Steam Deck OLED |
|---|---|---|
| CPU/GPU | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (8-core) | Custom AMD APU (Zen 2 + RDNA 2) |
| Display | 7” Full HD IPS 120Hz (500 nits) | 7.4” OLED 800p 90Hz |
| RAM | 24GB LPDDR5X | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD (upgradeable) | Up to 1TB NVMe SSD (soldered) |
| Battery | 80Wh (rumored) | 50Wh |
| Operating System | Windows 11 | SteamOS 3 |
| Weight | Slightly heavier (~679g) | Lighter (~640g) |
| Price (est.) | $799–$899 | $549–$649 |
Real-World Performance: Can It Handle AAA Titles?
Early benchmarks and hands-on previews are promising. Games like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Elden Ring run smoothly at 1080p with medium to high settings.
The 120Hz display adds that extra smoothness, even if not all games hit triple digits. Plus, tools like ASUS Armoury Crate SE let users tweak profiles, undervolt, or overclock directly—perfect for getting the most out of the hardware.
Want to dual-boot Linux or play Xbox Cloud Gaming? No problem. The Windows OS means anything goes.
Emulation Heaven: Carry Generations in Your Pocket
This is where the Ally X shines even brighter. From PS2 to Nintendo Switch, emulators run beautifully on this thing.
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Yuzu and Ryujinx run Switch games at full speed.
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PCSX2 handles PS2 titles effortlessly.
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Even RPCS3 (PS3 emulator) works well for many games, which is huge.
Windows makes configuration simpler and gives access to the full Windows app ecosystem—no weird workarounds like on Linux-based systems.
Windows 11 vs SteamOS: The Great Divide
Steam Deck’s SteamOS is more optimized for handheld gaming. It's faster to boot, uses fewer resources, and is tightly integrated with Steam features. But there’s a tradeoff—less flexibility.
Meanwhile, ROG Ally X’s Windows 11 opens up possibilities:
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Use Epic Games, Battle.net, Xbox Game Pass, GOG, and more.
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Install mods, patches, and third-party tools freely.
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Use the device as a mini laptop (attach a keyboard and mouse? Done).
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Game and work in one machine.
Yes, the downside is longer boot time and more power draw—but ASUS's software tuning is closing that gap fast.
Design and Build: Comfort Meets Function
The Ally X keeps the signature ROG styling but with refined ergonomics. Slightly more rounded grips, better button placement, and textured rear panels make it more comfortable for long sessions.
Weight has increased slightly, but it still feels manageable. The button feedback is also improved—something many users complained about in the original Ally.
Who Is the ROG Ally X For?
Let’s break it down.
✅ Get the Ally X if:
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You want maximum power in a small form factor
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You’re a multi-platform gamer (Steam, Xbox, Epic, etc.)
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You care about storage and upgradeability
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Emulation is a big part of your gaming life
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You want to use the same device for gaming, browsing, and productivity
❌ Maybe skip it if:
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You’re on a budget
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You prefer plug-and-play gaming (Steam Deck is simpler)
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You want better battery optimization out-of-the-box
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You’re happy with 800p resolution and Steam-only gaming
Community Response: What Gamers Are Saying
On Reddit, YouTube, and Twitter/X, the reactions have been overwhelmingly positive:
“This fixes everything I didn’t like about the original Ally. Finally, ASUS listened.”
— @GameTechNerd
“Steam Deck still has the better OS, but dang, Ally X looks clean. Those specs are fire.”
— r/HandheldGaming
Tech reviewers from Linus Tech Tips to Dave2D have previewed the device and called it “the first serious Steam Deck challenger.”
The Price Debate: Is It Worth the Premium?
While ASUS hasn’t confirmed pricing, most insiders place the ROG Ally X at $799 to $899. That’s at least $150–$200 more than the Steam Deck OLED (512GB model).
Is that worth it?
If you're a casual gamer sticking to indie games—maybe not. But for power users, emulation fans, and Game Pass junkies, the Ally X offers unmatched value for the performance and flexibility it brings.
Think of it like this: You’re getting a Windows gaming PC with console form, a premium display, killer specs, and full control over your library.
The Bigger Picture: Handheld Gaming in 2025
We’re officially in the era where handheld PCs aren’t just a niche—they're a major platform.
With the success of Steam Deck, ASUS jumping back in with the Ally X, and others like Lenovo Legion Go, Ayaneo, and OneXPlayer building serious contenders, competition is heating up.
That means:
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More frequent innovation
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Better battery tech
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Faster chips from AMD and Intel
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Games getting more optimized for handhelds
And that’s great news for us, the gamers.
Final Thoughts: Steam Deck, You've Got Serious Company
The ROG Ally X isn’t just another revision. It’s a massive leap forward in design, performance, and usability. ASUS addressed nearly all major complaints from the first version and added future-proof features.
Sure, it’s more expensive, and yes, it runs Windows (which can be a love-hate thing). But for gamers who want more control, higher specs, and flexibility—it’s a clear winner.
Valve may still lead in terms of software polish, but ASUS just raised the bar for what a handheld gaming PC should be.
If you were waiting for a sign to upgrade your handheld setup—this might be it.
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