Asus has introduced the ROG Ally X, an upgrade of their popular ROG Ally handheld gaming device which offers several key hardware improvements. It still runs on the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor but the Ally X boasts better performance with faster RAM, improved thermals and updated controls for better ergonomics. And yes, it now comes in Black.
ROG Ally X RAM, Storage and Battery
According to Asus, the Ally X has several new hardware upgrades that were introduced based on user feedback. The internal storage on the original ROG Ally at 512GB has been doubled to 1TB. To make storage upgrades easier, Asus has redesigned the motherboard so that it now uses a full-sized M.2. 2280 SSD instead of the current 2230 form factor.
The ROG Ally X offers not just more RAM but is faster as well. It gets 24GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM as opposed to the 16GB LPDDR5 6500MHz on the current Ally. Since the APU shares its video RAM with the device’s system RAM, the extra memory will enable more allocation to both the system and GPU for better performance while playing next-generation AAA titles.
For the display, it still retains a 7″ 120Hz 1080p LCD screen that boasts a max brightness of 500 nits and a 7ms response time. The screen also gets Corning Gorilla Glass Victus with Gorilla Glass DXC coating.
On the original ROG Ally, we found that the battery life isn’t that great for prolonged unplugged use. To address that issue, the ROG Ally X now gets double the battery capacity with an 80Wh unit which should provide extended gameplay time while on the go.
Despite the increased battery capacity, the ROG Ally X is 70g heavier at 678g (ROG Ally: 608g). In terms of overall dimensions, the new handheld device is slightly more compact than the Ally but it is thicker by 4.5mm.
To accommodate the larger battery, Asus has redesigned the fans on the Ally X which are now 23% smaller with 50% thinner fan blades to optimise airflow. They have also added two new tunnels in the fan housing and a third exhaust vent on the upper edge of the Ally X.
It is claimed that the new thermal solution provides 24% more air volume to be pushed through the Ally X which can cool not just the internal components but also the touch screen which is said to be 6 degrees cooler.
ROG Ally X offers updated controls and dual USB-C ports
The ROG Ally X features a new redesigned chassis that offers slightly deeper handles and a more rounded shape for improved comfort. The buttons and sticks have been rearranged which supposedly provides a more ergonomic angle while making the triggers easier to press. They also reduced the size of the macro buttons on the back of the Ally X to minimise accidental presses without sacrificing accessibility.
Meanwhile, the joysticks have been replaced with a newer module which is said to be more durable with a 5-million-cycle rated lifespan and the springs are now stiffer for a more familiar response curve to longtime controller gamers. Asus has also improved the D-pad for improved eight-direction input precision for fighting and retro games.
For ease of connectivity and based on consumer demand, you now get two USB-C ports on the Ally X. Asus has replaced the proprietary XG Mobile port with an extra USB-C port for wider compatibility with various third-party docks and external GPUs. However, take note that only one of them is Thunderbolt 4, as the other is just a USB 3.2 Gen 2. Both USB-C ports support 100W USB PD 3.0 charging.
At the moment, there’s still no pricing and local availability for the ROG Ally X in Malaysia. As a reference, the current ROG Aly with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage was launched with a price tag of RM3,299. To learn more, you can check out the product page.
In case you missed it, you can check out our ROG Ally review.
