In a world where portable gaming used to be synonymous with sacrifices, the new ROG Ally X arrives to question everything we believed about playing on the move. It isn't just an update to the previous version. Nor is it another attempt to chase the trend of portable consoles with grandiose ambitions. This is something else.

From the moment you hold the ROG Ally X, there is something that changes. The weight, the feel, the balance... everything suggests that ASUS hasn't sought to impress, but to convince. And it achieves it, but not through empty promises or technical specifications unattainable for the average user. It does so with facts, with design decisions that make sense, and with a clear proposition: to play as on a desktop gaming PC, without being tied to a desk.

In this review we go beyond the typical feature list. We will explore what really matters: how it feels, how far it goes and whether it can truly shadow your main gaming setup. Because if a laptop can compete toe-to-toe with a well-built desktop tower, perhaps we're not looking at just another console. Perhaps we are facing the future of portable gaming.

Premium design and ergonomics tailored for long gaming sessions

The ROG Ally X not only impresses with its internal power, but also with a carefully crafted design that prioritizes comfort and portability. ASUS and Microsoft have polished every detail to offer a device that feels as good as it looks, positioning itself as a serious rival to the Steam Deck, especially for those seeking a more refined and ergonomic form factor.

The chassis of this Asus ROG Ally X is made of robust plastic, with high-quality finishes that communicate reliability from the first use. Although its dimensions (29 x 12.1 x between 2.75 and 5.09 cm) might suggest a bulky device, the weight is so well distributed (715 g) that it feels surprisingly light and balanced. Ideal for playing anywhere without lugging around a heavy unit.

The design includes ergonomic side grips inspired by Xbox controllers, with a rough texture that improves grip and prevents fatigue during long sessions. This is where it really outperforms other options on the market: you can be playing for hours without noticing discomfort in wrists or hands.

As for the controls, the handheld comes well equipped: on the right side there is an analog stick, the classic A, B, X and Y buttons, and two direct-access buttons. One opens the in-game context menu, and the other takes you directly to your library. If you hold this latter button, you can activate Copilot, Microsoft's intelligent assistant that enhances the user experience.

On the left, another analog stick, slightly raised to improve grip, a highly responsive D-pad and three additional buttons. The first launches the Xbox Game Bar or the multitasking mode of the Windows 11 operating system, the second opens the Armoury Crate app, ideal for adjusting performance modes, and the third provides access to submenus.

On the upper sides you’ll find four responsive and powerful triggers, while the Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers deliver immersive audio, ideal for gaming without headphones. As for connectivity, nothing is missing: USB-C ports, a 3.5 mm jack, a microSD slot, and a power button with a fingerprint reader. All perfectly distributed.

Finally, the IPS panel of the console is surrounded by a bezel that houses the speakers and provides an excellent visual and audio experience. At the back, two programmable buttons (M1 and M2) and ventilation slots complete a smart, player-centric design.

In short, the ROG Ally X not only delivers in power and specs like the LPDDR5X RAM or its Windows operating system, but also takes care of every physical detail so that playing is a comfortable, smooth, and fully immersive experience.

A dazzling display: fluidity, sharpness, and maximum functionality

In this Spanish review of the ROG Ally X, we cannot fail to highlight one of its most striking components: the 7-inch IPS touchscreen. Beyond its size, what truly impresses is the visual quality it offers, achieving an immersive experience worthy of a desktop monitor, but in portable form.

With Full HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), this IPS panel provides outstanding clarity across all kinds of games, from narrative adventures to frenetic shooters. Its 16:9 aspect ratio is perfectly suited for gaming as well as watching series, movies, or streaming content with impeccable quality.

The 120 Hz refresh rate further enhances the experience, and when paired with the FreeSync Premium technology, image tearing or frame skips are virtually eliminated. The result is visual fluidity that surprises even in demanding titles.

Another advantage is its ability to adapt to any lighting environment. The 500 nits of maximum brightness, along with the Corning DXC anti-reflective treatment, allow gaming even outdoors. And, as expected in a device of this caliber, the panel is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, making it more resistant to bumps or scratches.

But this Asus ROG Ally X doesn’t stop at visuals. The touch system is highly responsive and is complemented by smart gestures that optimize daily use: swiping sideways opens menus or notifications, and from the bottom you can access the Windows 11 multitasking mode. Everything feels natural, fast, and comfortable.

What’s interesting is how this graphic section complements the rest of the hardware, which includes the powerful processor AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, capable of handling all kinds of graphics tasks and artificial intelligence with ease. Additionally, thanks to features like the turbo mode integrated in Armoury Crate, it’s possible to maximize the system’s performance in demanding gaming sessions.

In short, this Ally X review makes it very clear that the ROG Ally X not only competes toe-to-toe with other devices like the Steam Deck, but even surpasses them in key aspects such as the display. If you’re looking for a portable console with professional image quality, this is undoubtedly one of the best options on the current market.

Power without compromise: high-end hardware in a portable body

To talk about the ROG Ally X as merely a portable console would be an understatement. What ASUS and Microsoft have achieved with this device is to integrate hardware worthy of a desktop gaming PC into a compact, light, and fully functional on-the-go format. It is, without exaggeration, one of the most ambitious proposals we've seen so far in portable gaming.

Inside hides an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, a true 8-core, 16-thread beast capable of moving modern AAA titles effortlessly. Added to this is a dedicated NPU with compute power of up to 50 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second), which not only improves overall performance but also opens the doors to intelligent AI-based features, a trend that is gaining more ground in the Windows ecosystem.

Of course, the graphics part is well covered thanks to the integrated AMD Radeon GPU, which performs up to what many would expect from a mid-to-high-end dedicated card. Whether you play in handheld mode or with the console connected to an external monitor, the results are more than satisfactory: smoothness, stability, and visual quality to enjoy any modern game with guarantees.

As for memory, ASUS has gone big: 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM in dual channel, a quantity uncommon even in gaming laptops. This type of memory, besides being faster, optimizes energy efficiency, something fundamental in a portable device. For storage, we have a 1 TB M.2 SSD, fast and quiet, that also delivers outstanding read/write results, very similar to those found in desktop gaming-focused PCs.

Moreover, this storage is expandable via microSD cards, very useful if you want to carry entire libraries of games or multimedia content with you.

During our performance tests with tools like Cinebench and 3DMark, the results confirmed what we suspected: this device does not back down from demanding tasks. In both single-core and multi-core performance, the Ally X delivers competitive figures, and in the graphics department it impresses with its thermal efficiency.

A strong point worth mentioning is its active cooling system. Even after several hours of intense gaming, the device does not reach worrying temperatures. The fans do their job without producing annoying noise; in fact, the stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support tend to stand out more than the cooling system. The audio is clear, immersive, and with good volume even at mid-capacity.

In terms of connectivity, the ROG Ally X doesn’t lag behind either. It includes two USB-C ports, one of them compatible with Thunderbolt 4, Power Delivery 3.0 and DisplayPort 2.1, which allows you to connect to external monitors, docks, or fast chargers. It also includes a 3.5 mm audio jack and a microSD slot. And when it comes to wireless connections, Wi-Fi 6E along with Bluetooth 5.2 are included, offering maximum compatibility with accessories such as controllers, headsets, or even external keyboards.

In summary, the ROG Ally X proves that portability and performance are no longer mutually exclusive. This console is, bluntly, a PC gamer encased in a portable form, ideal for those who want to play anywhere without losing power, quality, or connectivity options.

ROG Ally X Review: Performance in games that rival high-end PCs

One of the most surprising aspects of the ROG Ally X is its ability to run demanding games with a ease you wouldn't expect from a portable console. In simple terms: its performance is on par with – and even above – many desktop gaming PCs. This is not a light claim. It is a reality that you notice from the first game you load.

During the tests, titles like Forza Horizon 5, The Last of Us: Part I, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II, or Indiana Jones and the Grand Circle have run at ultra quality with a stable FPS rate and no notable dips. The same can be said for games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, F1 24 or the anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong, all run with a level of graphics that leaves nothing to envy desktop configurations.

This level of constant fluency not only speaks well of the hardware but also of the optimization ASUS has achieved together with Microsoft. The system responds swiftly, loads are fast, and no bottlenecks are visible, not even during the most intense moments of play. The experience is so good that, for many users, this console could become their primary gaming platform.

That said, not everything is perfect. At the time of these tests, compatibility with EA Play games still had limitations. Titles like EA Sports FC 25 or beta versions of FC 26 were not available, though this is expected to be corrected with future system updates.

The three-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass Premium, included with the console, provides access to a wide catalog of titles from day one. The most notable is that many of them can be played directly in the cloud via Xbox Cloud Gaming, without needing to download. Thanks to the ROG Ally X's fast connectivity and its excellent display, this feature is enjoyed with near-native quality.

Another key point is the software. The console comes equipped with a customized version of Windows 11 Home, which allows switching between the classic desktop environment and a full-screen Xbox-optimized interface. This latter transforms the device into a true pocket console, centralizing games, apps, and services in a highly intuitive visual environment.

In desktop mode, you can do practically everything you would do on a traditional PC: use browsers, install game stores like Steam, Epic Games, or GOG, manage files, pair Bluetooth devices, and apply system updates. All with the convenience of the touchscreen, which responds precisely.

The experience is enhanced by tools such as Armoury Crate, pre-installed on the console. From this app you can switch between different performance profiles, lock buttons during gameplay, limit the FPS, monitor the system status in real time, and even control advanced parameters such as the processor temperature or GPU usage.

Moreover, the dedicated Xbox button has smart functions: a short press opens the Xbox Game Bar, giving quick access to your recent games, screenshots, system settings, and even the Copilot assistant. A long press, meanwhile, activates a useful multitasking view that lets you manage open apps, switch games, or return to the desktop with a single touch.

Autonomy enough for long sessions without interruptions

One of the standout aspects of the ROG Ally X is, without a doubt, its battery life, a key point for any portable console aiming to offer a real gaming experience without constraints. And in this area, ASUS has more than delivered.

Thanks to its 80 Wh battery, the console is capable of delivering between 3 and 4 hours of real gaming with demanding titles, running at ultra quality. This duration may seem modest when compared to mobile devices, but in the context of a device that runs up-to-date games with fluidity and maximum graphics, energy performance is more than notable.

Also, if you need to recharge it, the process is quick. With a 67 W charger, the ROG Ally X can go from 0 to 100 % in less than two hours. That said, it’s important to note that a charger is not included in the box, so you’ll need to use a compatible one that offers at least 65 W fast charging, or purchase one separately.

To make things easier, ASUS markets a pack that includes the console and its official 65 W charger, available for €963.99. A recommended option for those who want to avoid compatibility issues and ensure safe and efficient charging from day one.

Conclusion: a portable console that redefines gaming on the move

The ROG Ally X is not just an evolution over its predecessor, but a true revolution in what we understand as portable gaming. ASUS and Microsoft have managed to condense the power of a desktop PC, the comfort of a well-designed console, and the versatility of Windows 11 into a single device that impresses from the first moment.

Whether for its smooth performance in demanding titles, its vibrant 120 Hz display, its ergonomic design, or its wide connectivity, this console proves that playing anywhere no longer implies technical sacrifices. The experience is so solid that many users could consider replacing their main gaming PC with this console.

Is it perfect? Not entirely. Some details like the absence of a charger in the box or certain temporary limitations with services like EA Play could be improved. But overall, the ROG Ally X meets (and exceeds) expectations.

If you’re looking for a portable console that truly lives up to modern gaming, both in power and comfort, this is one of the best options on the market in 2025.