Jacob Roach / Digital Trends

We ’ve have sex for a yoke of weeks now whatthe ROG Ally X entail . It ’s using the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme Saratoga chip under the cowl , the same 7 - in 1080p display upfront , and an overall build that ’s interchangeable to the original model . It comes with some spec bumps , but this is a refresh , not a new coevals . After using the ROG Ally X atComputex 2024 , however , I ca n’t hold off to pick up the handheld for myself .

In the same room that theSteam Deck OLEDis the definitive edition of the Steam Deck , the ROG Ally X is the definitive edition of theROG Ally . But Asus rifle further . There ’s a massive growth in battery life that could make this the longest - lasting handheld on the market place , a rooms of computer software fixes , and even a little spare performance .

Yes, a performance bump

Let ’s verbalize about that extra performance because it ’s an aspect of the ROG Ally X that has n’t gotten much attention . You ’re get the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip . just like the original simulation , but there ’s still surplus performance potential here . That come down to the RAM . You ’re now getting 24 GB of LPDDR5x , and it ’s faster at 7,500 MT / s. That has some giving implications .

The Ryzen Z1 Extreme is a system - on - a - chip ( SoC ) , and both the CPU and GPU share a memory pool . On the original model , dedicating more of the store to the GPU could meliorate performance in some titles , peculiarly those that stress VRAM . With more and quicker RAM , the ROG Ally X has a sight more way . you’re able to allocate a full 8 GB to the GPU now , all while keep on 16 GB reserve for the system .

Asus is n’t claiming better performance with the ROG Ally X , but I would n’t be surprised if that ’s what we see in games likeForza Horizon 5 , Hogwarts Legacy , andResident Evil 4.I was n’t able to properly benchmark these games in my hands - on time with the machine , but it should n’t be long before I have a machine in my hands for proper testing .

More than a black finish

Externally , the ROG Ally X looks very similar to the original model , but that undersells just how much is new . The chassis plan is completely unlike , with more rounded corners . Asus also angled the button and triggers for a more comfy feel in the hands , and it replaced both the joysticks and D - pad , which were two points of contention on the original mannikin .

It feels much better , and that ’s particularly true of teh initiation . On the original Ally , the triggers are two-dimensional and align with the bumpers , but now they have a thin curve to them . In addition , Asus pluck the angle at which the joysticks and push are set apart from each other , making it feel more like a restrainer . By far the biggest upgrade is the placement of the macro . They ’re flawlessly out of your way , and you ’re free to forget about them if you like .

The biggest upgrade

Although the feel in the hands and carrying out cost increase are upsides , there ’s no doubt that the star of the show is the stamp battery . The ROG Ally X come with an 80 James Watt - 60 minutes barrage , which is double the size of the original model ’s . The handheld is only slightly heavier as a termination , too — it ’s 678 grams instead of 607 grams and you would n’t be able to evidence without a side - by - side equivalence .

It ’s backbreaking to test battery life in a short hand - on time , but I mark the electric battery lasting much longer in demanding games than I ’m used to . InArmored Core VI , I wipe out about 10 % of the battery in 20 minute of gameplay — and that was on the Turbo mode that soak up 25 watts . If you extrapolate that out , you ’re getting just over three hr in a demanding AAA game with the highest power mood . That ’s about double what the root word ROG Ally is capable of , so that would n’t be surprising .

Battery sprightliness is such a decisive element with a handheld , and it travel beyond just capability ( I ’m looking at you , MSI Claw ) . However , we already have a foundation with the ROG Ally X. The superfluous RAM will run through a bit more baron , but from the CRT screen to the Ryzen Z1 Extreme potato chip , we know how much power the handheld requires . I would n’t be surprised if we end up seeing upwards of a 40 % gain in battery life story in actual use of goods and services , which is immense .

For now , though , we just have the content and my poor work force - on time to go on . Once the ROG Ally X is here , we ’ll be able to run it through our battery bench mark to see how much that superfluous electrical capacity is really doing .

The definitive version of the ROG Ally

The redesign case , extra read/write memory , and great battery take meat stage , but Asus made other improvements , as well . You ’re getting a 1 TB SSD , for example , and it ’s an M.2 2280 SSD , so upgrades should be well-off and cheaper . Asus alsoreplaced the proprietary XG Mobile connectionwith two-fold USB - C ports , one of which underpin USB 4 for external GPUs .

I ’m confident order now that if you ’re in the grocery store for the ROG Ally , it ’s deserving waiting for the ROG Ally X. You ’re getting a big upgrade , and I do n’t require a suite of bench mark to state you that . The more interesting question , and the one I ’ll be focusing on once I have a twist in my hands , is if it ’s deserving advance from another handheld . The Steam Deck OLED still provides stiff rival at a lower price , and if the price drop down on the original ROG Ally , it might be a salutary buy . From my first look , though , those handhelds have an uphill battle against the ROG Ally X.