ASUS has announced the ROG Ally X, an upgraded model of its popular ROG Ally handheld gaming PC. The Ally X brings several improvements over the original Ally, including increased storage, RAM, and battery capacity, while retaining the same powerful AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor and 7-inch Full HD 120Hz display with 500 nits of brightness.
Storage and Memory Upgrades
The Ally X doubles the storage capacity with up to 1TB of ultra-fast M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 SSD, a significant step up from the 512GB maximum on the original Ally. It also more RAM, with 24GB of blazing LPDDR5X 7500MHz memory compared to 16GB on the previous model.
Improved Battery Life
One of the most notable enhancements is the larger 80Wh battery in the Ally X, providing double the capacity of the 40Wh battery in the original Ally. This increased battery should translate to significantly longer gameplay sessions.
Chassis Redesign
To accommodate the bigger battery and components, the Ally X has a slightly larger chassis weighing 678g, which is 11.5% heavier than the 608g Ally. The redesigned exterior promises improved ergonomics with a deeper curve to the handles and a rounder, more comfortable shape.
Refined Controls
The button layout has been optimized, with sticks and triggers at a more ergonomic angle for long play sessions. The joystick modules are stiffer and rated for 5 million cycles, up from 2 million on the Ally. A redesigned D-pad offers precise 8-direction input ideal for fighting games.
Enhanced Cooling
Thermal management sees major improvements with a new fan design providing up to 24% more airflow. This includes two small tunnels directing air upwards, plus an additional exhaust fan along the top edge to keep temperatures up to 6°C cooler.
Updated Ports
Connectivity has been refreshed by replacing the ROG XG Mobile port with dual USB-C ports – one USB 3.2 Gen2 and one USB 4 with Thunderbolt 4 support. Both ports also support Power Delivery 3 and DisplayPort 1.4.
Software and Accessories
ASUS is updating its Armoury Crate SE software with a new UI and more customization options. A new ROG 140W GaN charger with 3 USB-C and a USB Type A port was also introduced.
While the Ally X brings notable upgrades from its predecessor, ASUS is positioning it as an iterative update rather than a full generational leap. The core gaming experience is based on the same AMD processor and display as the original Ally.
FAQ:
Q: How do the specs of the Ally X compare to the original Ally?
A: Here’s a detailed spec comparison between the ROG Ally and the ROG Ally X
| Specification | ROG Ally | ROG Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 7-inch FHD 120Hz, 500 nits | 7-inch FHD 120Hz, 500 nits |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z1/Z1 Extreme | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| Storage | Up to 512GB M.2 2230 SSD | 1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5 6400MHz | 24GB LPDDR5X 7500MHz |
| Dimensions & Weight | 280.25 x 116.5 x 32.4mm 608g with 40Wh battery | 280.2 x 114 x 36.9mm 678g with 80Wh battery |
| Ports | 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen2 (DP 1.4, PD 3.0) 1 x ROG XG Mobile Port | 1 x USB-C 3.2 Gen2 (DP 1.4, PD 3.0) 1 x USB-C 4.0 (DP 1.4, PD 3.0, TB 4) |
Q: When will the ROG Ally X be available and how much will it cost?
A: The ASUS ROG Ally X is priced at USD 799 and comes with 3-month subscription to Xbox game pass. Local availability is still to be confirmed.
Q: Is the Ally X a new generation or an upgraded Ally?
A: The Ally X is an enhanced iteration of the original, bringing hardware improvements while keeping the core specs like the processor and display. ASUS is marketing it as an upgrade option rather than an entirely new generation.
Emman has been writing technical and feature articles since 2010. Prior to this, he became one of the instructors at Asia Pacific College in 2008, and eventually landed a job as Business Analyst and Technical Writer at Integrated Open Source Solutions for almost 3 years.
