Review: ASUS ROG Ally X

The Best Handheld Gaming PC in 2025?

The handheld gaming scene is heating up, and Asus is back in the spotlight with its updated ROG Ally X. This new version improves on the original (reviewed here) with a larger battery, upgraded RAM, and a sleek new design. It’s a powerful machine that packs desktop-level gaming into a device you can hold in your hands.

Sleek, Gamer-Friendly Design

The Asus ROG Ally X features a smooth, matte black finish that lends it a premium, understated appearance. It feels sturdy but not bulky, weighing just under 1.5 pounds. The updated hand grips are noticeably more comfortable, and the overall shape makes it easier to hold for long sessions.

The button placement is smart, with responsive analogue sticks, a tactile D-pad, rear paddles, and nicely tuned triggers. The build quality is excellent, and Asus has clearly refined this version based on honest user feedback from the original model.

It’s lighter and easier to use than the Lenovo Legion Go, which, while powerful, is bulkier and less portable.

Vibrant Display with 120Hz Refresh Rate

The 7-inch Full HD screen is bright, sharp, and smooth. With a 120Hz refresh rate, games feel fluid, whether you’re playing fast shooters or detailed open-world titles. It covers 100% of the sRGB colour range and can hit up to 500 nits of brightness, making it easy to use in bright environments, but still not perfect outside on a sunny day.

Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, the touchscreen is responsive and durable. While the Legion Go does offer a more prominent and sharper display (8.8 inches, QHD+, 144Hz), the ROG Ally X still holds its own with better portability and very strong visuals.

Serious Gaming Power Under the Hood

Inside, the ROG Ally X is powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip. It’s an 8-core, 16-thread processor paired with Radeon graphics based on the RDNA 3 architecture. With 24GB of fast LPDDR5x RAM and a 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, this handheld is more powerful than many entry-level gaming laptops.

Storage is expandable with a high-speed UHS-II microSD card slot, giving you extra room for games and media, supporting up to 2TB.

ASUS ROG Ally X Real-World Game Performance

We tested a variety of popular games to assess the ROG Ally X’s performance. Using medium to high settings and AMD’s FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution), the results were impressive:

• Cyberpunk 2077: 55–60 FPS (medium settings, FSR enabled)
• Elden Ring: 60 FPS locked (high settings)
• Forza Horizon 5: 60 FPS solid (high settings)
• Apex Legends: 90–100 FPS (medium settings)
• Baldur’s Gate 3: 50–60 FPS (high settings)
• Starfield: 40–50 FPS (balanced settings with FSR)

You can toggle performance modes using the Armoury Crate SE software, choosing between silent, balanced, and turbo profiles depending on whether you’re docked or gaming on the go.

Improved Battery Life That Lasts

One of the most significant upgrades is the new 80Wh battery, which is double the size of the original ROG Ally. This translates to:

• Light gaming or indie titles: 6 to 8 hours
• AAA games on medium settings: 2.5 to 4 hours
• Streaming or general use: Up to 10 hours

Charging is handled via USB-C with 65W fast charging, and dual USB-C ports give you the freedom to connect external devices or charge while docked.

How It Compares to the Lenovo Legion Go

The Lenovo Legion Go (Our review here) is a strong competitor, boasting a larger 8.8-inch QHD+ screen and detachable controllers, which makes it more akin to a hybrid between a Switch and a handheld PC. It’s excellent for desktop-style gaming thanks to its built-in kickstand and modular design.

However, the bigger screen comes with trade-offs. The Legion Go is heavier and less comfortable to use in handheld mode. Battery life is also shorter, averaging just 2 hours during high-performance gaming, compared to the ROG Ally X’s 4+ hours.

Audio quality is also better on the ROG Ally X. The speakers are clearer and louder, while the Legion Go’s sound is tinny and lacks bass.

Overall, if you want versatility and don’t mind the size, the Legion Go is a fun option. But for long sessions, portability, and everyday use, the ROG Ally X is the more balanced and practical choice.

What’s Not So Great About the ASUS ROG Ally X?

Although the ROG Ally X is a significant step forward, it’s not perfect. Here are a few things worth noting:

1. Still Runs Windows 11 (Not Always Handheld-Friendly)

While Windows 11 provides access to a wide range of features, from Steam and Xbox Game Pass to mod tools, it’s not optimised for a small touchscreen. Navigating with your fingers can feel clunky, and the on-screen keyboard isn’t always responsive; unlike the Legion Go, it also lacks a trackpad. Armoury Crate SE helps bridge the gap, but it’s still a desktop OS on a handheld device.

2. No Built-in Stand or Dock

Unlike the Legion Go, which features a built-in kickstand and optional dock, the Ally X requires third-party accessories to prop it up or connect it to a monitor easily. For a premium device, it feels like a missed opportunity, and it isn’t worth mentioning the poor excuse for a stand included in the box, which feels like a cheap egg carton.

3. Price

The ROG Ally X isn’t cheap and currently retails for £799. It sits at the higher end of the handheld gaming market, and while you do get excellent value for the performance, the cost may put it out of reach for more casual gamers.

4. Fan Noise in Turbo Mode

When the device is running in turbo mode, the fans can get noticeably loud. It’s not unbearable, but it’s something you’ll notice if you’re gaming in a quiet room or using speakers instead of headphones.

Connectivity and Ports

The ROG Ally X includes a wide range of ports for flexibility:

• USB 4 Type-C (with charging and display output)
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C
• 3.5mm headphone jack
• UHS-II microSD card reader

Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure fast connections for both online gaming and wireless accessories.

What’s In The Box?

• Asus ROG Ally X Device
• 65W USB-C Charger
• USB-C Cable
• Black Stand (Terrible!)
• Paperwork

ASUS ROG Ally X Tech Specs

Final Verdict On The ASUS ROG Ally X: A Powerful Handheld with Room to Improve

The Asus ROG Ally X is a powerful and portable gaming PC that hits most of the right notes. It’s fast, comfortable to use, and lasts long enough on a single charge to enjoy actual gaming sessions away from a charger. It handles popular games beautifully and offers better balance than bulkier devices like the Lenovo Legion Go.

Still, it has its flaws. The Windows experience is still suboptimal on a small screen, and a built-in stand would have been beneficial. But if you’re serious about handheld gaming and want a device that performs like a desktop in your hands, the ROG Ally X is one of the best choices available today.