ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) Unveils the ROG Ally X: Enhanced Handheld Gaming Console

By Brian K. Neal

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) has announced the ROG Ally X, a new and improved model of its popular handheld game console. Designed for on-the-go Windows 11 gaming, the ROG Ally X retains the powerful AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme processor but introduces upgraded storage, RAM, battery life, and an updated chassis for enhanced ergonomics, cooling, and connectivity. Featuring Armoury Crate SE 1.5 with a customizable game library and unified system updates, the ROG Ally X is designed to #playALLYourgames better than ever.

Built with user feedback at its core, the ROG Ally X significantly enhances its internal components. It now boasts a 1 TB SSD, doubling the storage capacity from the original Ally’s 512 GB. Additionally, the redesigned motherboard features an M.2 2280 form factor slot, allowing users to upgrade their storage more easily to larger drives. Accompanying this storage upgrade is 24 GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM, providing greater flexibility. The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU shares video RAM with the system RAM, and with modern games demanding more VRAM for high-resolution textures, the increased 24 GB of system memory allows better performance in next-gen AAA titles.

The ROG Ally X also features an 80 Wh battery, doubling the capacity of the previous model, allowing users to game longer without needing to be near a power outlet. Despite the significant increase in battery life, the ROG Ally X only weighs 70 grams more than the original model, with weight distribution optimized for comfort during gameplay. This ensures it feels lighter than its 678-gram weight, maintaining portability and comfortable play.

The ROG Ally X sports a redesigned chassis in a sleek new black colorway, with deeper handles and a more rounded shape for improved comfort. The buttons and sticks are arranged at a more ergonomic angle, with slanted triggers for easier pressing. The macro buttons on the back have been made smaller to reduce accidental presses while keeping them easily accessible. The joysticks have been upgraded to more durable modules rated for a 5-million-cycle lifespan, with stiffer springs for a familiar response curve for longtime controller gamers. The D-Pad has also been enhanced for more precise eight-direction input, ideal for fighting and retro games.

In response to user requests for more universal I/O, the original XG Mobile port has been replaced with two USB-C® ports on the ROG Ally X, one of which is Thunderbolt™-compatible for wide interoperability with third-party docks and external GPUs.

To accommodate the new battery, the ROG Ally X features smaller, more efficient fans with 50% thinner blades to improve airflow. The fan housing includes two new tunnels that direct air towards an additional third exhaust vent on the upper edge of the device. This new thermal solution increases air volume by 24%, cooling both the internal components and the touch screen, which can be up to 6°C cooler for more comfortable long-term use.

The ROG Ally X is a testament to ASUS ROG’s commitment to enhancing the gaming experience with user-driven innovations and high-performance features, ensuring gamers can enjoy their favorite titles anytime, anywhere.