Can a bigger battery and USB4 justify the price tag; or is the Steam Deck still the king of portables?
Nintendo Switch gamers have it easy: pop in a cartridge, hit power, and you’re playing in seconds. Windows handhelds? Not so much. Enter the ASUS ROG Ally X, a mid-gen refresh promising double the battery life, USB4 for eGPU support, and a revamped design. But with Valve’s Steam Deck OLED still dominating the scene; is this just a spec bump or a legit game-changer?
The ROG Ally X isn’t a full sequel; it’s a strategic upgrade targeting the original Ally’s pain points:
- Battery: 80Wh (up from 40Wh) for 3+ hours of AAA gaming (vs. the Steam Deck’s ~2.5).
- USB4: Ditching the proprietary XG Mobile port for universal eGPU support.
- Ergonomics: Thicker grips, a much-improved D-pad, and relocated rear buttons to avoid accidental presses.
Think of it like a gaming laptop’s “Super” refresh; same core specs (Ryzen Z1 Extreme, 120Hz 1080p screen), but better where it counts. Watch the Ally X crush Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p; then immediately beg for a charger. Skip to 13:10 for the battery life reality check.
ASUS ROG Ally X Official Review (ETA PRIME)
The Ally X’s 80Wh battery is a monster for a handheld; but raw capacity isn’t everything:
| Scenario | Original Ally | Ally X | Why It Matters |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | ~1.5 hours | ~3 hours | Finally playable on flights |
| YouTube playback | ~5 hours | ~12 hours | Netflix binges won’t murder it |
| Charging speed | 45W | 65W (100W compatible) | 0–50% in 30 mins |
Fun fact: The Ally X’s battery is larger than some ultrabooks; yet ASUS somehow kept the weight under 700g—black magic.
Linus Tech Tips called the original Ally “the Steam Deck’s first real competitor”; but does the X close the gap?
- Performance: At 15W, the Ally X is ~20% faster (Forza Horizon 5 hits 60FPS vs. Deck’s 45).
- Display: Deck’s OLED wins for contrast; but Ally’s 120Hz VRR screen is buttery smooth.
- Software: SteamOS still destroys Windows for plug-and-play simplicity.
The Ally X is for tinkerers who crave Windows flexibility; the Deck is for “just work” purists. Linus hated the original Ally’s misleading marketing; see if the X redeems ASUS. Skip to 4:30 for the brutal battery comparison.
ROG Ally X vs. Steam Deck (Linus Tech Tips)
Early adopters like Foxconn are testing the Ally X in digital factories; its USB4 port makes it a legit portable workstation when docked. With an eGPU, it can replace a gaming laptop; without, only if you’re okay with 1080p/medium settings. Street Fighter 6 players say the D-pad is acceptable; but still not Hall Effect tier.
Watch the Ally X embarrass a Nintendo Switch in Ghost of Tsushima; then cry as the Switch outlasts it 3:1 on battery.
ROG Ally X vs. Nintendo Switch OLED (Mrwhosetheboss)
The ROG Ally X fixes the original’s worst flaws (battery, ergonomics, proprietary ports); but still feels like a stopgap until Windows gets a proper handheld mode. At $699, it’s a hard sell against the $549 Steam Deck OLED; unless you need Windows or plan to pair it with an eGPU.
