Xbox Ally X: Specs, Performance & Is It Worth the Premium

I’ll be honest, I’ve been waiting eagerly to try the Xbox Ally X ever since Microsoft and ASUS announced it. The idea of a proper Xbox handheld gaming machine, one that blurs the line between console and PC, had me curious but also sceptical. After all, we’ve seen plenty of handheld PCs already, and most of them promise the world but trip over Windows bloat or weak battery life.

When I finally picked up the Ally X, my first reaction was: this thing feels serious. It’s not a toy, it’s not a Switch, and it’s definitely not a Steam Deck clone. It feels like a machine built for Xbox fans first, but with the flexibility of a full Windows 11 PC under the hood. In this Xbox Ally X review, I’ve spent as much time diving into the specs, benchmarks, software, and real-world use as I could. Here’s my take and whether it lives up to the hype.

 

Xbox Ally X vs Ally: Do You Really Need the Upgrade?

The Xbox Ally X launch date was 16th October 2025, arriving alongside the standard ROG Ally. Microsoft calls it a handheld built for seamless PC and Xbox gaming in one package - but in my hands, it feels like much more than a spec bump.

One of the first questions people ask me is: “Why not just buy the cheaper Xbox Ally?” Fair question because on paper, both look pretty similar. They share the same 7-inch 1080p, 120Hz IPS display, they both boot into the new Xbox-style UI, and both are essentially handheld Windows 11 PCs.

But here’s the difference I actually felt while using them: the X has breathing room.

• The Ally X packs a newer Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, while the base Ally is stuck with the cut-down Z2 A. When I fired up Doom: The Dark Ages on the Ally X, I hit a smooth 70–80fps with AMD’s frame generation switched on. On the base Ally? Same settings barely scraped 45fps. The gulf is noticeable.

• You also get 24GB RAM vs 16GB, and yes, that matters. With Steam, Xbox Game Pass, and Discord all running in the background, the X just felt snappier. The base Ally sometimes stuttered when multitasking.

• Storage is doubled too: 1TB on the Ally X vs 512GB on the standard. If you’re like me and juggle Call of Duty, Starfield, and Cyberpunk 2077, you’ll fill 512GB in no time.

That said, the Xbox Ally X price jump is huge from about £499 for the Ally to nearly £799 for the Ally X. Unless you really care about performance or hate uninstalling games, the base Ally will do the job. But if you’re like me and want your handheld to feel future-proof, the X earns its spot.

Quick heads-up: If you’re curious about the standard Ally, you can check out my walkthrough here: What is Xbox Ally? your complete walkthrough.

 

Design & Comfort: Heft with Purpose

The first thing you notice is the weight. At around 715 grams, the Ally X isn’t light. It’s chunkier than a Nintendo Switch and heavier than the base Ally. After about 20 minutes in Gears of War: Reloaded, I could feel my forearms letting me know I was holding a proper bit of kit.

That said, ergonomics are spot on. The grips are sculpted like an Xbox controller - deep curves, textured edges, and just enough thickness to feel secure without cramping your hands. Compared to my Steam Deck, the Ally X sits more naturally in my palms, which makes a huge difference during longer sessions.

The button layout is pure Xbox, ABXY where you expect, analogue sticks tight and snappy, and triggers that actually impressed me. Microsoft added Impulse Triggers, so when I fired a Lancer rifle in Gears, I felt subtle vibrations under my fingers. It sounds like a gimmick, but in practice it’s surprisingly immersive.

On the downside, the extra heft means it’s not the kind of handheld you can casually hold up in bed for hours. This feels more like a “prop it on your knees, get comfy on the sofa” sort of device. Portable, yes - but pocketable? Not in the slightest.

 

Display & Audio: Good, But Could’ve Been Better

Let’s talk screen. The Ally X sports a 7-inch, 1080p IPS panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. Colours are bright, motion looks smooth, and for fast shooters like Halo Infinite, the high refresh makes a noticeable difference.

Here’s the thing, though: it’s not OLED. And honestly, once you’ve gamed on an OLED panel (like the Switch OLED or even a good gaming laptop), you can’t unsee it. Blacks just aren’t as deep here, and darker games like Cyberpunk or Resident Evil Village feel a little washed out. For a £799 device, I wish ASUS and Microsoft had gone all the way. Audio, though, surprised me. The dual front-firing speakers are loud, crisp, and punch above their weight.

 

Software & UI: Xbox Simplicity Got Windows Flexibility

This is where the Xbox Ally X sets itself apart. Most Windows handhelds dump you straight into a cluttered desktop. Not here. When I powered up the Ally X, I was greeted by a slick Xbox UI mode - a console-like menu with my Game Pass titles front and centre.

It’s clean, it’s familiar, and it makes the device feel like a true Xbox handheld gaming machine. Jumping between Halo, Minecraft, and Starfield felt just like being on my Xbox Series X at home.

But here’s the bonus: underneath it all, it’s still Windows 11. If I wanted to, I could dive out of the Xbox UI, fire up Steam, install mods, or even do boring stuff like check emails. That dual nature is brilliant though sometimes clunky. I had a few moments where Windows notifications interrupted gameplay, and fiddling with desktop settings on a 7-inch touchscreen isn’t exactly fun.

Still, compared to the clumsy UI of the Steam Deck (unless you love tinkering), the Ally X feels far more accessible. It’s the first Windows handheld that didn’t make me sigh every time I wanted to launch a game.

 

Performance & Benchmarks: Does It Actually Deliver?

Specs are one thing but what matters is how the Ally X feels when you’re mid-match. I pushed it through a mix of Game Pass titles and a few chunky Steam installs, and here’s what stood out.

• Gears of War: Reloaded: Locked at 60fps on high settings. The vibrations in those impulse triggers, paired with the smooth refresh, made it feel almost console-like.

• Doom: The Dark Ages: Averaged 70–80fps at 1080p on medium/high with AMD’s frame generation switched on. Without it, the game dipped to the 40s, which shows how reliant the Ally X is on upscaling.

• Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty: Around 55fps on medium. It played fine, but I had to tweak a few settings - shadows and ray tracing were a no-go if I wanted smoothness.

• Forza Horizon 5: A joy. 80fps cruising through Mexico on medium settings, and the fans didn’t scream as loudly as I expected.

Compared to the base ROG Ally, the X really does have extra headroom. Games that felt like a struggle on the cheaper model (40fps averages, stutters when multitasking) ran smoother here. These Xbox Ally X benchmarks prove the X is tuned for demanding games - though still not flawless.

 

Battery Life: A Game of Trade-offs

Now here’s the truth — you can’t have beastly performance and endless battery life in a handheld. The Ally X’s 80Wh battery is an improvement over the base Ally’s 60Wh, but the reality depends on what you’re playing.

In my sessions:

• AAA gaming (Doom, Cyberpunk) - 2 to 2.5 hours tops before I needed the charger.

• Indie / lighter games (Hades, Vampire Survivors) - 4 to 5 hours easily.

• Media streaming (Netflix, YouTube) - about 6 hours, provided brightness wasn’t maxed.

Silent mode does help, the system downclocks itself and suddenly you’re sipping power instead of guzzling it but you lose a lot of that silky smooth performance. Honestly, it’s the eternal handheld PC problem: battery life is “OK”, but nowhere near Switch levels.

Using the Ally X shows just how much handheld PCs have evolved. Mobile games and devices like this are reshaping where and how we play, something I’ve explored further in how mobile games and handheld gaming PCs are changing the landscape.

 

 

Xbox Ally X Pros & Cons: What I Liked vs What I Didn't

Based on my research, hands-on feedback, and benchmarks, here’s my genuine take:

Pros	Cons
Strong performance in AAA titles	Fans can get noticeably loud
Smart Xbox UI design	No OLED display
Comfortable grip and controller-like ergonomics	Hefty weight for long sessions
Impulse Triggers add extra immersion	Premium Xbox Ally X price
Full Windows 11 flexibility < Xbox UI	Gaming performance leans heavily on upscaling & software optimisation
Larger 80Wh battery	Some games still require patches / manual tweaks

 

 

So... Is the Xbox Ally X Worth It?

After spending time with the Ally X, my advice is simple: it's brilliant but not flawless, and whether it's "worth it" really depends on what kind of gamer you are.

If you live across both Xbox and PC, this handheld makes a lot of sense. The unified interface, smooth Game Pass integration, and the freedom to install PC-only titles give it an edge over most rivals. Switching between Steam, Epic, and Xbox libraries feels surprisingly effortless.

For raw performance, the Ally X is the clear upgrade over the base model. Its Ryzen AI chip, 24GB RAM, and 1TB storage give you genuine breathing room for modern AAA titles and heavy multitasking. But portability isn't its strength at over 700g; this is more of a sofa companion than a daily travel device.

Battery life is another trade-off. In my experience, you'll get around 2–3 hours on demanding games or 4–5 hours with lighter titles. If you want all-day unplugged gaming, this won't deliver it.

The price is also a sticking point. At around £799, it costs more than a full living-room console setup. If all you want is a better controller, you can shop the Razer Wolverine V3 gaming controller instead.

That said, the lack of an OLED screen and the noticeable fan noise mean it doesn't feel like a perfect value against a console. For less, you could buy the Microsoft Xbox Series X Black and get 4K, 120fps gaming. But consoles can't give you the same freedom. I loved being able to flop on the sofa, fire up Halo Infinite in handheld form, and then switch straight to Netflix without missing a beat, and that's exactly where the Ally X stands apart.

So, is it worth it? If you're a serious Xbox and PC gamer who values performance and flexibility, yes ... you'll get your money's worth. If you're a casual player, a budget-conscious student, or someone who just wants a portable Game Pass, the standard Ally (or even a Series X) will serve you better. If you're in the UK and ready to invest in a future-proof handheld, you can shop the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally (2025) here.

All in all,

"It's worth it if you want Xbox and PC in one handheld, not if you're just after value."

 

 

Before You Decide on the Ally X…

Is upgrading to ROG Ally X worth it?

Upgrading to the ROG Ally X is worth it if you're looking for more power, storage, and battery life. The Ally X comes with 24GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an 80Wh battery, compared to the standard Ally's 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and 60Wh battery. These upgrades make it smoother for heavy multitasking and big AAA games. However, if you're a casual player who mainly uses lighter titles, the standard Ally will still do the job at a lower price.

What is the difference between Ally and Ally X specs?

The biggest differences between the two models come down to memory, storage, and battery. The Ally X has 24GB of RAM, double the storage with a 1TB SSD, and a larger 80Wh battery. It also carries the newer Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip, while the base Ally uses the Ryzen Z2 A,16GB RAM, and has a 60Wh battery. These changes make Ally X more powerful and better suited to future games.

What is the performance mode on Ally X?

Performance Mode on the Ally X is a power profile that lets the hardware draw more wattage, giving you higher frame rates and smoother gameplay in demanding titles. It's perfect for games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Doom: The Dark Ages, but it comes with trade-offs, i.e. the fans spin louder, and the battery drains faster.

What are the specs of the ROG Xbox Ally X?

The ROG Xbox Ally X is fitted with an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB NVMe SSD. The display is a 7-inch full HD IPS screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, and it runs on an 80Wh battery. The whole package weighs around 715 grams and runs Windows 11 with an Xbox UI option on top. It's essentially a handheld gaming PC that feels like a dedicated Xbox portable.

Should I get ROG Ally or Ally X?

If you want to save money and mainly plan to play indie games, older titles, or lighter workloads, the regular Ally makes sense. But if you want more storage, stronger performance, and longer battery life, the Ally X is the better buy.

Is the RAM upgradable in the ROG Ally?

No, the RAM in both the Ally and Ally X is soldered onto the motherboard, which means it cannot be upgraded later. If you need more than 16GB, you'll have to go straight for the Ally X model with 24GB.

Can Ally X run Cyberpunk 2077?

Yes, the Ally X can run Cyberpunk 2077 at playable frame rates. With AMD's frame generation enabled and medium settings at 1080p, you can expect around 55–60fps. Without frame generation, the game does dip into the 40s, so settings need to be tweaked to stay smooth.

Does Ally X need a screen protector?

The Ally X comes with a toughened glass display, but because it's a handheld device designed for travel and portable use, adding a screen protector is a sensible move. It will keep scratches, smudges, and daily wear at bay, especially if you carry it in a bag.

Which is better, Legion Go or Ally X?

The choice between the Legion Go and Ally X depends on your priorities. The Ally X feels more polished for Xbox players, with tighter Xbox integration, better ergonomics, and stronger battery life. The Legion Go, on the other hand, offers a bigger display and detachable controllers, which gives it more of a Switch-like feel.

 

Read More:

10 Things to Know Before Buying the ROG Xbox Ally (2025)

ASUS ROG Xbox Ally (2025) RC73YA-NH002W Review

Xbox Game Pass on the ROG Xbox Ally 2025: The Ultimate Handheld Combo?