The Battle for Your Gaming Soul (And Your Wallet)
The new ROG Ally X is like the original ROG Ally, but on a serious upgrade—think of it as the Ally’s cooler, more powerful sibling. It’s got a sleek new design that says, “I’ve been hitting the gym,” a battery that’s so big you’ll need a nap just to drain it, and performance so smooth it’ll make your gameplay feel like you’re gliding on butter. Higher frame rates and better graphics settings? Oh yeah, it’s basically flexing on your old device.
The original Asus ROG Ally comes with a powerhouse chipset that effortlessly devours AAA games like a snack. It’s got a 7-inch display that’s big enough to see your victories but small enough to fit in your bag, a compact design that won’t take up your whole desk, and a button layout that even your thumbs will applaud. Plus, those gamer aesthetics? Oh yeah, they scream “I’m here to game, not to blend in.” Plus it’s still rocking some serious processing power.
Ah, handheld gaming consoles—the magical little devices that let you play AAA games without being tethered to a desk, a chair, or your mom’s basement. These gadgets are everywhere now, and Asus—aka the tech gods who brought us gaming laptops so powerful they could probably power a small city—has joined the handheld party with not one, but *two* models that will make you reconsider how much you need your big ol’ desktop PC.
We’ve seen all sorts of Android-powered handhelds, but let’s be real—nothing beats the power of a Windows-based console. These bad boys can run your AAA titles like a dream, just at slightly less than “maxed-out-everything” settings. So, let’s dive into a showdown between Asus’ *OG* ROG Ally and the newly-unveiled ROG Ally X, a console that promises to make your gaming experience smoother than a greased-up slip-n-slide.
Price and Specifications: Wallet, Meet Pain
First things first: if your credit card is feeling a bit too comfortable, the ROG Ally X will be happy to change that. Starting at R17,999.00 for 1TB of storage, this model is ready to burn a hole in your pocket faster than you can say “I can’t believe I just spent that much on a handheld.”
Meanwhile, if you’re a little more… financially cautious, the original ROG Ally will set you back a mere R15,999.00 for the 512GB version, with the *fancy* AMD Z1 Extreme chip version. It’s a bargain for what you’re getting, but let’s be honest—it’s still gonna sting when you see that charge on your bank statement.
Design: Same, But Fancier
Design-wise, Asus isn’t reinventing the wheel here, but they’ve done just enough to make you go, “Okay, that’s a nice touch.” Both devices have that same slick, futuristic look with rounded LED bars around the joysticks—because if your handheld doesn’t look like it belongs in a sci-fi movie, are you even gaming?
Look at the numbers “FOOL”
| Dimensions | 280mm x 111mm x 24.7mm | 280mm x 111mm x 21mm |
| Weight | 678g | 608g |
| Chipset | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme | AMD Ryzen Z1 |
| RAM | 24GB | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 1TB, 2TB | 512GB |
| Display | 7-inch, 1920×1080, LCD, 120Hz | 7-inch, 1920×1080, LCD, 120Hz |
| Output resolution | 1080p | 1080p, 4K |
| Graphics | AMD RDNA 3 | AMD RDNA 3 |
| Ports | 3.5mm audio jack, USB-Type C, USB-4, microSD card slot | 3.5mm audio jack, USB-Type C, microSD |
| Battery | 80Whr | 40Whr |
| Wireless Connectivity | Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E | Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E |
The ROG Ally X is practically identical to the original in design, but it’s got a few small but significant updates, particularly with the buttons. The Ally X ditches the old-school Hall Effect triggers for snazzier, more durable LED triggers that’ll outlive your desire to game. Plus, the back buttons (M1 and M2) are now smaller, so no more accidental presses that make you look like a flailing octopus mid-game.
Display: Is It the Same? Yes. Yes, It Is.
So, about that display—surprise, surprise, both consoles share the same 7-inch FHD screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. It’s nice, it works, and it gets the job done. Sure, the brightness is only decent (500 nits), so unless you’re playing in the dark like a true gamer, you might want to invest in some stylish shades for outdoor gaming.
Both displays are touchscreen, so you can tap and swipe your way through Windows like it’s your phone. Oh, and if you’re wondering, they both support AMD FreeSync, which basically means your games will run as smoothly as your late-night gaming marathons—well, minus the blurry graphics and unresponsive controls.
Software & Performance: Speedy Gonzales, Meet The Ally X
Now here’s where things start to get spicy. Both the ROG Ally and Ally X can play all your favourite games, but the Ally X does it with a little more *oomph*. The original Ally sports 16GB of RAM, while the Ally X packs 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM. Plus, it has the Z1 Extreme processor, making your gameplay smoother than butter on a hot pan.
The Ally X also comes with a 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, which means faster load times and fewer moments of sitting there staring at a loading screen, questioning your life choices. It’s like upgrading from a horse-drawn carriage to a Ferrari. And don’t forget the improved cooling system on the Ally X, which means less throttling when you’re in the middle of a gaming session that’s gone on a little… *too* long.
Battery Life: Who Needs a Charger?
If you’ve ever played a handheld and thought, “Wow, I sure do love how my battery dies after 30 minutes of gaming,” then you’re in for a treat with the ROG Ally X. The original Ally’s 40Whr battery is okay—*if* you’re playing on low settings. But if you want to get your full gaming experience, you’ll need to plug in before you can say, “Wait, I just got to the boss battle!”
Enter the ROG Ally X, with its beefy 80Whr battery. It can last twice as long as the original model, meaning you can actually get some decent gaming time in without frantically searching for an outlet. Sure, it’s still no laptop-level battery, but it’s a definite improvement.
Which One’s Right for You? The Eternal Struggle of Budget vs. Power
Alright, let’s wrap this up. If you’re tight on cash but still want a solid handheld gaming experience, the original ROG Ally is your friend. It’s affordable, has great performance, and will let you dive into your favourite games with ease. Just be ready to plug it in every now and then—because gaming without a power cord is a dream that may never be fully realized.
But if you’re looking for that next level of gaming bliss—better performance, a longer-lasting battery, and a smoother overall experience—then the ROG Ally X is the way to go. Sure, it’s more expensive, but it’s got the juice to make your gaming sessions feel like a breeze. Plus, you won’t have to constantly look for an outlet in the middle of your epic battles.
In the end, it’s all about *how much power* you’re willing to throw at your gaming experience—and how many charger cords you’re willing to carry with you.
Conclusion: The Battle Ends, But The Decision Is Yours
So, after a heated showdown, it’s clear that both the Asus ROG Ally and ROG Ally X are strong contenders in the world of handheld gaming. The original ROG Ally is the underdog that punches above its weight, offering solid performance at a wallet-friendly price—perfect for those who are more budget-conscious but still want to experience gaming magic on the go. It’s the handheld equivalent of a reliable old car: not the fastest, but it gets the job done and doesn’t break the bank.
Meanwhile, the ROG Ally X is the shiny, souped-up sports car of the handheld world. With more RAM, a faster SSD, better cooling, and double the battery life, it’s built for gamers who want the best of the best, no compromises. If you’ve got the cash and want to avoid constantly hunting for an outlet, the Ally X is the clear choice.
At the end of the day, the right console for you boils down to one simple question: are you ready to spend a little extra for a smoother, more powerful experience, or are you cool with a solid, budget-friendly option that still packs a punch? Either way, both models promise to take your gaming experience on the go—just with different price tags and battery life to consider. The decision is yours, and your wallet will thank you… well, after it recovers, anyway.
ROG Ally X
ROG Ally
A massive shoutout to the awesome folks at ASUS for giving me the chance to try out both the ROG Ally and Ally X! Handheld gaming is clearly in great hands… probably with a comfy grip and some seriously cool features.
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