Complete Review of the ASUS ROG Ally X Series – ASUS' Most Advanced Handheld Gaming PC
The ASUS ROG Ally X Series is the latest and most advanced variant of ASUS's handheld PC gaming lineup. Designed for professional and enthusiast gamers, the X Series combines extreme performance, a high-quality display, and innovative portable features. With the latest AMD Ryzen Z-series processor, enhanced RDNA 3 graphics, a 144Hz refresh rate, and a larger battery capacity, the X Series is here to meet the highest level of portable gaming needs.
The X Series is not just an upgraded version of the Z1 or Z1 Extreme. ASUS has revamped all aspects, from CPU/GPU performance, display, cooling system, connectivity, to software. This device becomes the most complete handheld for gamers who want a full PC gaming experience without compromise.
Design and Build Quality
The X Series uses a lighter yet stronger magnesium-aluminum chassis, with a matte black finish and metallic accents. The weight of approximately 650 grams is still comfortable to hold for long sessions. The ergonomic design has been improved, with wider grips and precise buttons, making control more natural for all game genres.
The analog sticks, buttons, D-pad, and triggers have been redesigned for optimal comfort. The buttons have shorter travel and more responsive feedback, ideal for competitive and fast-paced action games. ASUS has also added dynamic RGB on the left and right sides of the device, as well as a customizable ROG logo via Armoury Crate.
The X Series cooling system is more advanced than the Z1 Extreme. Equipped with ultra-thin dual-fans, more heat pipes, and liquid metal thermal compound on the APU/GPU, this device can maintain optimal temperatures even when used continuously in Turbo mode. As a result, there is no significant throttling and performance remains stable.
Display and Audio
The X Series' 7-inch Full HD display supports a refresh rate of up to 144Hz with 600 nits brightness. Visuals are sharper, colors are more vibrant, and touchscreen response is faster than the previous version. FreeSync Premium Pro supports smooth gameplay without tearing or stutter, even when frame rates fluctuate.
The display colors support full sRGB and 95% DCI-P3, making it ideal for creative content as well. High contrast and natural color saturation make open-world and RPG games look more immersive.
Audio in the X Series has also been improved with dual front-facing speakers and support for Dolby Atmos plus Sonic Studio 3. Sound is clear, bass is deeper, and spatial effects are more precise. When using high-end headphones, the handheld audio experience is on par with premium gaming laptops.
Performance and Hardware
The ROG Ally X Series uses the AMD Ryzen Z1X processor (the latest variant) with six cores and twelve threads, as well as more powerful RDNA 3 graphics compared to the Z1 Extreme. This chip can run modern AAA games at ultra settings at 1080p and even close to 1440p for some titles.
Demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, and Hogwarts Legacy run smoothly with stable frame rates of 60–80 FPS. eSports games like Valorant and CS2 can reach 144 FPS at 1080p, taking advantage of the X Series' high refresh rate screen. 16GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD ensure fast load times, smooth multitasking, and sufficient storage capacity for hundreds of modern games. The microSD slot supports additional expansion up to 2TB.
The X Series runs full Windows 11, making it compatible with all PC games, productivity software, emulators, and even cloud gaming platforms. Gamers can install Steam, Epic Games Store, Xbox Game Pass, or creative software like Photoshop, Blender, and DaVinci Resolve.
Battery and Charging
The X Series is equipped with a 55Wh battery, larger than the Z1 Extreme. Battery life reaches 3–4 hours for heavy gaming and up to 8 hours for light use or streaming. USB-C PD fast charging allows for 50% charge in 25 minutes. The USB-C port also supports DisplayPort for external monitors, docking stations, or the ROG XG Mobile eGPU, allowing this handheld to transform into a mini desktop workstation.
Software and Interface
Armoury Crate SE on the X Series is more advanced, featuring performance controls (Silent, Performance, Turbo, Extreme), temperature and power monitoring, and game library management. The intuitive touchscreen interface makes navigation easy, even for users accustomed to consoles.
In addition, this software enables automatic driver updates, game optimization, RGB settings, and fan and clock speed control. Gamers can adjust performance as needed without sacrificing system stability.
Gaming Experience
The ROG Ally X Series delivers the best handheld gaming experience currently available. Modern AAA games can be run at ultra settings with high frame rates, sharp visuals, and smooth gameplay. Competitive games get optimal control with responsive analog sticks, sensitive triggers, and an ergonomic layout.
In addition to gaming, the X Series supports cloud gaming, emulation, and streaming. Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2 maintain stable connections for online multiplayer and additional devices. The ability to dock to an ASUS eGPU makes this device flexible, usable as a handheld or a desktop setup.
Connectivity and Expansion
The X Series supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C for charging, data, and DisplayPort. MicroSD adds storage capacity up to 2TB. With the ROG XG Mobile eGPU, the X Series can deliver desktop-class gaming performance. This connectivity makes the X Series the most flexible for handheld gaming and mini desktops.
Comparison with Z1 and Z1 Extreme
Compared to the standard Z1, the X Series offers significantly higher performance, a higher refresh rate, a larger battery, and a brighter screen. Compared to the Z1 Extreme, the X Series excels in graphics performance, a more advanced cooling system, and support for extra features like 2TB microSD and more flexible eGPU options.
Value and Conclusion
The ASUS ROG Ally X Series is the most advanced handheld PC gaming device currently available. With high performance, a 144Hz screen, immersive audio, an optimal cooling system, a large battery, and comprehensive Armoury Crate SE software, the X Series is an ideal device for professional gamers, streamers, and content creators.
This is not just an upgrade to the Z1 Extreme, but a portable gaming handheld that approaches a desktop experience. ASUS has successfully created a powerful, versatile, and comfortable device, making it the top choice for portable gaming in the modern era.
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