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Is the upgrade worth it?
Handheld gaming continues to evolve, and Asus has entered the market strong with the ROG Ally series. And with the release of the ROG Ally X, many are wondering: Is it really worth upgrading, or should you stick with the original Ally?
Today, we’ll be comparing design, build quality, performance, features, and battery life to help you decide which one is the better choice.
Design & build quality: Subtle but smart changes
The ROG Ally X may appear almost identical to the original Ally when you first look at them together, but a closer look reveals several thoughtful improvements. Asus has subtly reshaped the device with smoother, more rounded contours, which we think make it more comfortable to hold during longer sessions. The rear macro buttons have also been repositioned and reduced in size, which helps to prevent accidental presses. But the handheld weighs around 678 grams now, which is slightly heavier than the original, probably due to its significantly upgraded battery.
Beyond these ergonomic tweaks, Asus has made a few important functional updates. The proprietary ROG XG Mobile interface has been replaced with a more versatile USB4 port, which gives a more broader accessory compatibility. The D-pad and joysticks have been refined, and the triggers and bumpers have been subtly reshaped which provide a more responsive, satisfying feel. Together, these changes make the Ally X a more polished and comfortable handheld overall.
Performance: A significant boost for the Ally X
Although both handhelds are powerful, the Ally X pulls ahead with its Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor paired with RDNA 3 graphics and larger RAM storage. The original Ally uses a configuration with the Ryzen Z1 (or Z1 Extreme in some variants) and typically lower RAM/storage, which means while it still handles high-end games well, the Ally X is better positioned for higher frame rates, more intensive workloads, and future gaming demands.
When it comes to storage, the ROG Ally X gives you a lot more room to work with thanks to its upgraded hardware. It comes with up to 24GB of faster LPDDR5X RAM and as much as a 1TB SSD, which means smoother multitasking and plenty of space for big modern games. The original ROG Ally, by comparison, includes 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which was enough for us, but if you have a larger game library, then the Ally X offers more headroom for storage-heavy titles or background tasks right from the start.
Battery Life: A game-changer for the Ally X
Battery life remains a major challenge in handheld gaming PCs, and Asus has addressed it head-on. While it’s still not amazing, the ROG Ally X offers roughly double the battery capacity of the older model. It now includes an 80 Wh battery, an impressive upgrade compared to the original Ally’s 40 Wh pack. The original model is fine for shorter sessions, but if you game on the go and want longer uninterrupted play, the Ally X gives you that extra hour or more of battery life you’ll definitely notice, especially when traveling. With the standard Ally, I often found myself keeping the charger plugged in because it struggled to maintain both battery life and performance for more than an hour.
But something to keep in mind is that the Ally X carries a significantly higher price at the moment, compared to the original Ally. If you’re on a budget, the original model still delivers an excellent gaming experience for considerably less. But if you want the latest hardware, longer battery life, and key ergonomic improvements, the Ally X is likely the smarter long-term investment.
Which one should you go for?
Go for the ROG Ally X if you:
✔ Want the best performance from the two and future-proofing.
✔ Need longer battery life for gaming on the go.
✔ Plan to store large games without constantly clearing space.
✔ Prefer a more ergonomic and comfortable design.
Go for the ROG Ally if you:
✔ Want a more affordable handheld gaming PC
✔ Don’t mind shorter battery life or keeping the charger connected during long sessions
✔ Still want strong performance without paying a premium
✔ Need a budget-friendly option with reliable, solid specs
Please note: Product visuals, specifications, and descriptions can change over time. All information is provided for reference; confirm the latest details on the live product page.
Overall
The ROG Ally X is a fantastic upgrade, with better battery life, improved design, and upgraded storage. However, its price tag might not justify the upgrade for casual gamers. If you already own the original Ally, upgrading may not be necessary unless you really need the extra battery life and a performance boost. However, if you’re buying a new handheld console for the first time, the standard ROG Ally is an excellent option and great value right now.
If you want to see how the Asus ROG Ally performed when we ran BeamNG.drive at max settings, be sure to check out our video below where we break down the results.
We hope this article helped you. Check out our other related articles on the links below.
