ROG Ally X — Bigger Battery, Better Controls, and a Smarter Handheld Gaming Upgrade

The new ROG Ally X arrives as a refined and smarter evolution of the original Ally — and the biggest upgrade is clear: a massive jump from a 40Wh battery to 80Wh. That alone changes how this handheld feels in daily use. Instead of short sessions tied to a charger, you can finally enjoy long, uninterrupted playtime without worrying about battery anxiety.

But ASUS didn’t stop with the battery. The Ally X also brings more RAM, more storage, upgraded ergonomics, updated triggers, a redesigned D-pad, and a cleaner all-black look. It’s still a 7-inch AMD Z1 Extreme handheld running Windows, but nearly every area has been polished to make the experience smoother and more comfortable.

Upgraded Body & Better Ergonomics

The Ally X feels slightly beefier than the original, but in a good way. ASUS reshaped the hand grips, making them deeper and far more comfortable for long play sessions. Because the bigger battery increases weight, the improved grip design helps balance the device so it doesn’t feel front-heavy or tiring.

Despite doubling the battery size, the total weight only increased by about 11%, thanks to a lighter internal chassis redesign.

The matte black finish replaces the old white design, giving the Ally X a cleaner, stealthier look.

Ports, Controls & Layout Improvements

The device now includes:

– Dual USB-C ports
– Volume rocker (raised for easier feel)
– MicroSD expansion
– 3.5mm audio jack
– Textured shoulders & wide analog triggers
– Rear programmable paddles
– Refined D-pad
– Redesigned joystick positions

The joysticks themselves feel smoother with medium resistance and textured edges. ASUS adjusted their spacing so switching between the D-pad and sticks feels more natural.

The back paddles allow you to keep thumbs on the sticks while triggering custom actions — very useful for fast-paced games.

Display & Audio Experience

The 7-inch display looks bright and sharp, even in well-lit rooms. Full brightness helps a lot when playing off the charger since performance mode still remains fairly quiet. The speakers fire directly at the player, easily overpowering fan noise even in demanding games.

Performance, Modes & Fan Behavior

The Ally X runs on AMD’s Z1 Extreme chip, and performance is managed through multiple modes:

– Silent
– Performance
– Turbo (when plugged in)

Armoury Crate SE gives deep control over:

– Power profiles
– Fan curves
– FPS limits
– Controller mapping
– Trigger depth
– Joystick response curves
– Aura lighting (color cycle, static, breathing, rainbow, etc.)

Fan noise is subtle during gameplay — the game audio easily masks it.

Gaming Feel & Game Compatibility

Games vary in how well they adapt to handheld play, but titles like Hades II run smoothly and feel perfectly suited to the hardware. Touchscreen keyboard input works fine for browsing and quick tasks, but the Ally X can also plug into:

– External monitors
– Keyboard + mouse
– Controllers
– Docks

This gives it console-like flexibility when needed.

You can switch between:

– Gamepad Mode (for most games)
– Desktop Mode (for Windows navigation)

This makes the Ally X much more practical than handhelds tied to one ecosystem.

Bigger Battery = Better Experience

The biggest win is that 80Wh battery, stretching playtime significantly compared to the original Ally. Combined with better grips, the handheld now feels built for longer sessions without the discomfort or constant charging.

This is exactly the trend many gamers wanted — a slight increase in size in exchange for dramatically better battery life.

Upgradable Storage & Internal Layout

Removing the back plate gives access to:

– A larger 80Wh battery running the full length of the device
– Improved cooling channels
– Upgradable SSD
– Simplified internal structure

Seeing the giant battery makes it clear the entire device has been re-engineered around power and comfort.

Final Thoughts

The ROG Ally X isn’t a brand-new device — it’s a smart refinement. But the upgrades matter:

– Double the battery life
– Better ergonomics
– Improved controls
– More storage & RAM
– More ports
– Better cooling
– Cleaner, stealth-black design

If you loved the original but wanted longer gaming sessions, the Ally X solves that problem completely. For portable Windows gaming with full flexibility, this is one of the strongest handheld upgrades of 2025.