ROG Xbox Ally X review – like nothing handheld gaming has seen before, for better or worse

Asus and Microsoft's joint venture has yielded an astonishing handheld gaming device: the ROG Xbox Ally X. Priced at a whopping £799 (€899/$999/A$1599), this all-black powerhouse is a true showstopper, boasting unmatched power in its compact frame.

While the price tag might raise some eyebrows, the ROG Xbox Ally X truly delivers. Its impressive performance is a far cry from anything seen in portable gaming to date. The device effortlessly handles demanding titles like Avowed and Backyard Baseball, with silky-smooth frame rates and minimal load times. Even indie darlings like Hades II shine with stunning visuals.

The ROG Xbox Ally X's 7-inch, 1080p display may not feature an OLED panel, but it more than makes up for it with its vibrant colors and crisp definition. The device's speakers also provide an immersive experience, particularly during moments where ambient sounds or music are integral to the gameplay – like in Hades II, where Artemis's soothing song only emerges from the left speaker as I moved past her glade.

The ergonomic design of the controller-inspired grips ensures a comfortable gaming experience for extended periods. Although the device is slightly heavier than its less powerful counterpart (670g vs 715g), this weight difference becomes negligible in daily use. Battery life proves to be a pleasant surprise, allowing for hours of continuous playtime before needing a recharge.

One of the standout features of the ROG Xbox Ally X is its ability to seamlessly integrate with both Xbox and PC platforms via Microsoft's Play Anywhere initiative. This means that gamers can access their purchased titles across multiple devices without worrying about game preservation or compatibility issues – a truly welcome feature for fans of subscription services like Xbox Game Pass.

For those seeking a premium gaming handheld that caters to both enthusiasts and casual players, the ROG Xbox Ally X is an excellent choice. With its impressive specs, intuitive interface, and diverse library of compatible titles, it's the ultimate solution for gamers on-the-go or those looking to supplement their console experience at home.

OMG u guys! I heard from a super reliable source (aka my mate who works in gaming dev) that this ROG Xbox Ally X is going to be a GAME CHANGER ! Apparently, they've been testing it out for months and the devs are like "wow, this thing can handle anything we throw at it" . And yeah, £799 might sound steep but trust me when I say it's worth it . The integration with Xbox and PC is already making gamers super happy , especially with all the Play Anywhere games available. Not to mention the battery life is insane , anyone need me to buy one now?

Ugh, £800 for a handheld gaming device? That's just crazy... I mean, who's gonna spend that kinda cash on something that's basically a glorified phone with some fancy buttons and a screen. And don't even get me started on the battery life, hours of playtime? Please, I can barely make my current phone last a day without dying...

OMG I'm literally OBSESSED with this thing!! £799 might be a bit steep but trust me it's worth it! The performance is INSANE and the display looks SOOO good! I mean what's not to love? You can play all your fave games on the go and still get silky smooth frames. And the controllers... those grips are so comfy! Battery life is also a win. I was worried it'd be dead in an hour but nope, I got like 5 hours of gaming before needing a recharge. Can't wait to cop one ASAP!

idk about this new handheld gaming thingy from asus & microsoft but £799 is straight crazy i mean if u got the cash and ur a hardcore gamer, go for it but 4 me its like buying a ps5 or xbone for cheap... still cant believe they made a portable xbox lol

I'm literally hyped about this new handheld gaming device!!! I mean, £799 is a lot, but it's so worth it if you're a serious gamer like me! The ROG Xbox Ally X sounds like a total beast, with silky-smooth frame rates and minimal load times - I can already imagine myself playing Avowed on the bus or at school during lunch . And the fact that it's compatible with both Xbox and PC platforms is a total game-changer (lol get it?) for me... I mean, being able to play my fave games across devices without worrying about compatibility issues is a total lifesaver! My only concern would be the price tag, but if you're like me and have the cash to spare, it's definitely worth considering

omg u gotta check out this new handheld gaming device lol! Asus & Microsoft collab'd and created the ROG Xbox Ally X its like, £799 is a lot but trust me its worth it the graphics r insane and the battery life is insane too i was playin hades II for hrs and didnt even think about pluggin it out the controller grips r comfy 2 and the display is so crisp u can see every detail and its great that u can play ur xbox games on this thing thru Play Anywhere lol now im hooked

I'm loving this new handheld gaming device! £799 might seem steep, but trust me, it's worth it. The ROG Xbox Ally X is a beast in its own right - I mean who needs that much power on the go? But seriously, the performance is insane and it's so cool to be able to play all my fave games like Avowed and Hades II on the go. And yeah, 7-inch display might not be OLED, but those colors are still poppin'! The controller grip feels super comfy too. Plus, Microsoft's Play Anywhere initiative is a game changer (no pun intended). Can't wait to try out this bad boy with my friends

OMG you guys I just saw some pics of the new ROG Xbox Ally X and I'm SHOOK! £799 is a lot but trust me this thing is a beast, plays all my fave games like Avowed and Backyard Baseball like butter and it's soooo comfy to hold. The display isn't OLED but those colors tho!!! And can we talk about the battery life? 8+ hours of gaming nonstop?! That's insane! I also love how it's compatible with Xbox and PC, that Play Anywhere initiative is a total game changer. Definitely worth the splurge if you're a serious gamer on the go!

Omg, I'm OBSESSED with this new handheld gaming device! £799 might be steep, but trust me, it's WORTH IT . The ROG Xbox Ally X is like a superpower in your hands - the graphics are insane and it runs so smoothly, even on indie games that other handhelds can't handle. And can we talk about the display? 1080p is no joke, the colors are so vibrant and crisp! I also love how it's ergonomic, I've been gaming non-stop for hours without any discomfort. The integration with Xbox and PC is a genius move by Microsoft - now I can play my favorite games across all platforms . Definitely worth checking out if you're a serious gamer or just someone who wants to level up their mobile gaming experience

omg can u believe this thing is real?! £799 is insane but i guess if it delivers like they say it will be worth it... the display might not be OLED but the colors and definition look so crisp! i love that its got speakers too, ambient sounds in games are everything and play anywhere initiative is a genius move by microsoft. anyone else would've charged way more for this thing. its perfect for both casual and hardcore gamers, can't wait to get my hands on one

OMG this new handheld gaming device is insane I mean £799 might seem like a lot but its performance is top notch and its battery life is crazy long plus the display and speakers are fire cant wait to get my hands on one ASAP

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." The price may be steep but trust me this handheld is a beast that will make all your gaming dreams come true! It's perfect for gamers who want the best of both worlds, whether it's playing on the go or supplementing their home console experience.

idk about this... £799 for a handheld console? that's like buying a gaming laptop lol what makes them think ppl will shell out that kinda cash for something thats just gonna get dusty in their bag

also, 7 inch display might not be the best considering most games are designed for bigger screens. and isnt it weird they're calling it xbox ally x but its basically an asus device? shouldnt that be asusROG or something?

and btw how long will this thing last with all that processing power inside? battery life seems decent, but what about when you're playing games that are super demanding?

anyone got the teardown pics of this bad boy to see whats really going on under the hood?

OMG I'm so stoked about this new handheld gaming device from Asus and Microsoft! The ROG Xbox Ally X is like a dream come true for gamers who want to take their console experience on the go . But, gotta say, £799 is a pretty penny to pay for it... I mean, I know it's worth it, but still, it's like buying a whole new console every 5 years . Anyway, the specs are insane - 1080p display, silky-smooth frame rates, and battery life that'll last you forever ! Can't wait to play some Avowed and Hades II on this bad boy . Microsoft's Play Anywhere initiative is also a huge bonus - no more worrying about game preservation or compatibility issues . All in all, it's a solid choice for gamers who want the best of both worlds .

I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THE ROG XBOX ALLY X!!! IT'S GOT ALL THE POWER OF A PC IN SUCH A SMALL FRAMEWORK IT'S LIKE THEY TOOK ALL THE BEST PARTS OF A CONSOLE AND PORTABLE GAMING AND MASHED THEM INTO ONE AMAZING DEVICE! £799 IS A STEEP PRICE, I KNOW, BUT TRUST ME WHEN I SAY IT'S WORTH EVERY PENNY!

omg can u believe the price tho?! £799 is crazy but i guess if ur a hardcore gamer this thing would be perfect for u! 7inch screen sounds pretty neat too, and play anywhere initiative seems like a great feature for xbox pass subs. battery life is also a major plus, idk how long it lasts but that's def a selling point

omg u guys, can u believe this thing exists?! the price is def steep, but if it's really handling demanding games like avowed & backyard baseball without a hitch... that's crazy i mean, who needs a portable pc when u can just have a dedicated handheld gaming beast? but seriously, the display sounds pretty sweet too - vibrant colors & crisp definition are key for me. what do u guys think about this thing tho? would u shell out 1000 bucks for it?

omg u guys i just preordered the ROG Xbox Ally X i was soooo excited when i saw the trailer lol its like £800 but tbh its worth every penny for me its been a dream of mine 2 have a handheld that can play all my fave xbox games and now its finally here cant wait 2 get it & try out those gorgeous graphics & immersive sound

.. I mean, can you believe this thing? £799 for a handheld gaming device that actually feels like a real gaming PC in your hands! I'm still trying to wrap my head around how they packed so much power into such a small package. And the display on this thing is insane - vibrant colors and crisp definition, just what you need for an immersive gaming experience. The fact that it's got speakers too is just the icing on the cake. I mean, who needs a full-sized console when you can just carry one around with you? It's like they took all the best parts of PC gaming and bottled them up in this thing. Battery life isn't bad either, I was blown away by how long it lasts. Now if only they made one for the PS5...