ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X

The ROG Xbox Ally X is what happens when Microsoft finally accepts that the future of Xbox is Windows-running-on-a-handheld rather than a dedicated dedicated-handheld-Xbox-console. ASUS provided the chassis, AMD provided the silicon, and Microsoft provided the Xbox software shell. The result is the most coherent Xbox handheld experience ever shipped, and the right answer for any buyer whose game library lives in Game Pass.

The AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme is the new generation of AMD handheld silicon. Compared to the original ROG Ally X (2024) and the Steam Deck OLED (2023 silicon), the Z2 Extreme delivers around 30 percent more CPU performance and 40 percent more GPU performance at the same power draw. In real games, this means modern AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty, Black Myth Wukong, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2 run at 720p high settings at 50 to 60 FPS instead of the Steam Deck's 30 to 40 FPS at low settings. The 24GB of RAM (the most in any handheld) genuinely matters for modern AAA games, modded games, and demanding emulation (Switch and PS3 emulation specifically).

The Xbox app full-screen mode is the genuine differentiator. Microsoft and ASUS co-developed a console-like UI that wraps Windows 11 in an Xbox-themed interface. You boot, you see the Xbox dashboard, you see your library, you launch a game. The Windows 11 underneath only surfaces when you tab out for browser or settings. For someone who wants the Xbox-console experience in handheld form, this is the closest any device has come.

Game Pass Ultimate ($24.95 per month in Australia) is essentially the value proposition. Without it, the Xbox Ally X is paying $1,599 for a Windows handheld that competes with cheaper Steam Deck alternatives. With Game Pass Ultimate, you get hundreds of AAA games on tap including same-day first-party Xbox releases (Forza, Halo, Starfield, the upcoming Fable). For a heavy Game Pass user, the Ally X earns its premium quickly.

The display is the place this loses to the Steam Deck. 7-inch, 1,920 by 1,080 resolution, 120Hz refresh, 500 nits typical brightness on an in-plane switching (IPS) liquid crystal display (LCD). Pixel-counting reviews like the higher resolution; in actual game content the Steam Deck's OLED high dynamic range (HDR) display looks more dynamic and impactful. ASUS's choice to ship IPS instead of OLED is the spec compromise most reviewers note as the missed opportunity.

The weight (715g) is the second concern. After a 90-minute session, your arms know it. The Steam Deck OLED at 640g is noticeably easier to hold, and the Switch 2 at 401g is in a different weight class entirely. For couch handheld use, this matters less. For airplane and travel use, the Ally X feels like the most lap-anchored of the category.

Battery life. AAA gaming gives 3 hours, indie 2D gaming gives 8-plus, video and emulation lands in between. Comparable to Steam Deck OLED on AAA, slightly behind on indie. Charging via 65W USB-C PD is fast (50 percent in 30 minutes).

The Australian buyer context. JB Hi-Fi at $1,599 is the price leader; matches Microsoft Store Australia. EB Games runs trade-in promos on older handhelds and PS5 controllers that bring effective price to $1,449. Centrecom and MSY are gaming-specialist retailers with strong Australian service. ASUS Direct is rarely cheapest. Stick to authorised Australian sellers; avoid third-party Marketplace listings for $1,500-plus hardware.

The trade-off versus the Steam Deck OLED. The Steam Deck is $700 cheaper, has the better OLED HDR display, runs SteamOS (a better gaming OS than Windows 11 by every objective measure), and has trackpads for non-action games. The Ally X is faster, has more RAM, runs Windows for x86 compatibility, and integrates with Xbox Game Pass natively. For Steam-library buyers, the Deck wins on price-to-quality. For Xbox Game Pass subscribers, the Ally X wins on ecosystem fit. The choice is purely about which library you live in.

The trade-off versus the Lenovo Legion Go S. Both run Windows 11 on AMD silicon and target similar buyers. The Ally X wins on Microsoft partnership integration, RAM ceiling, and Australian retail presence. The Legion Go S wins on display (8.8-inch QHD versus 7-inch FHD) and on detachable controllers for tabletop play. Pick on form factor preference; performance is within 10 percent.