The Asus ROG Ally X: A Worthy Successor or a Pricey Upgrade?
The Asus ROG Ally was a game-changer, ushering in a new era of powerful Windows-based gaming handhelds. While it had its quirks, its performance and portability made it a coveted device. Now, Asus has followed up with the ROG Ally X, a refresh that aims to address some of the Ally’s shortcomings and solidify its dominance in the market. With a larger battery, faster RAM, and refined ergonomics, the Ally X undoubtedly boasts several crucial upgrades. But does it justify the higher price tag?
Asus ROG Ally X Design: Ergonomic Refinements
The Ally X retains the overall aesthetic of its predecessor, with a sleek black design and a recognizable ROG branding. However, closer inspection reveals significant adjustments aimed at enhancing comfort and grip. The grips are now taller by 4.5mm, offering a more pronounced curve that wraps comfortably around your palms. Textured grips are in place to prevent slipping, though they can feel a bit rough during extended use. The joysticks are more comfortable, boasting a deeper concave groove and a textured rubber top that ensures a secure grip.
Asus also claims the joysticks on the Ally X are twice as durable as those on the original Ally, rated for 5 million rotation cycles. The D-pad has been revamped, offering crisp feedback and a departure from the sticky, floaty feel found on its predecessor. Other changes include wider hall-effect triggers and smaller rear macro buttons, aiming to address accidental presses.
In terms of ports, Asus has swapped the proprietary ROG XG Mobile Interface with a second USB Type-C port, a welcome addition. However, the placement of both ports on the top spine might prove inconvenient for some users. Despite being slightly thicker and heavier than the original Ally, the ROG Ally X feels sturdy and well-constructed, reinforcing its robust presence.
Asus ROG Ally X Display: A Familiar Yet Flawed Experience
The Ally X retains the same 7-inch, 120Hz LCD display as the original Ally. Although boasting 500nits of peak brightness and vivid colour reproduction, the display maintains its strengths and limitations. It delivers a crisp and clear experience, but the absence of an OLED panel is a letdown. While the LCD is excellent, an OLED screen would have elevated the visual impact, especially for gaming.
Asus ROG Ally X Software: A Refined Windows Experience
Despite the significant advancements in hardware, the Ally X remains bound by the frustrating experience of a Windows 11 Home operating system on a handheld. Navigating Windows on a 7-inch touch display remains a cumbersome experience, and it begs for optimization from Microsoft. This is where Asus Armoury Crate SE steps in. The updated software introduces a console-like interface, acting as a central hub for your game library, settings, and customization options.
Armoury Crate SE offers several improvements, including:
- Customizable game library: Easily manage and organize games according to your preferences, with a favorite tab for quick access.
- In-depth settings: Control TDP values, assign memory to the GPU (up to 8GB, a significant upgrade from the 4GB default), and manually adjust fan curves.
- Command Center: A convenient overlay accessed via a dedicated button on the side of the display, allowing for quick adjustments to power profiles, control modes, screenshots, and other functions.
Armoury Crate SE simplifies the Windows experience, minimizing the friction of navigating the operating system on a handheld. It acts as a much-needed layer of efficiency and functionality, making it a crucial companion for the gaming experience on the Ally X.
Asus ROG Ally X Performance: A Powerful Performer, But Is It Enough?
The Ally X sports the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset as its predecessor, but the performance gains are undeniable. This is largely due to the 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM and the improved power management. The Ally X delivers smoother gameplay with less stuttering and a consistently impressive performance across various titles.
Performance varies based on the chosen operating mode. While plugged in, the Ally X can be pushed to a maximum of 30W TDP on AC power. On DC power (unplugged), the TDP range is 9-25W , with three pre-defined operating modes:
- Silent (13W): Ideal for battery conservation and minimal noise output.
- Performance (17W): Offers a good balance between power and efficiency.
- Turbo (25W): Maximizes performance, but comes with increased heat and battery drain.
Benchmarking on demanding titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider shows significant improvement compared to the original Ally. At 17W (Performance mode), the Ally X delivers a smooth 35-45fps, with average frame rates reaching 39fps. Pushing it to 25W (Turbo mode) further improves performance to 40-50fps, with an average of 42fps. With the charger plugged in, the Ally X achieves 44fps. On less demanding indie titles like Hollow Knight and Hades, the Ally X comfortably delivers frame rates consistently above 110fps, even on the 13W Silent mode. This demonstrates a significant jump in performance compared to its predecessor.
Asus ROG Ally X Battery Life: A Game-Changer
Perhaps the most significant upgrade on the Ally X is its 80Whr battery, a substantial doubling from the original Ally’s 40Whr cell. This change transforms the Ally X into a truly portable gaming device.
The battery life is exceptional, providing up to two hours of gameplay on demanding titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider on Turbo mode. On less demanding titles and at lower TDP, the battery life can comfortably stretch to four hours, further solidifying the Ally X’s claim to true portability.
These figures place the Ally X far ahead of its competitors and solidify the device as the best in the market in terms of battery longevity.
Verdict: A Powerful Handheld But Expensive
The Asus ROG Ally X is a significant improvement over its predecessor. It boasts exceptional performance, a smoother gaming experience, and most importantly, a significantly boosted battery life. It achieves a balance of power and portability that is unmatched in the Windows-based handheld market.
However, the hefty Rs. 89,990 price tag raises concerns. It represents a substantial price jump from the original Ally, and the lack of an OLED screen makes the price tag a tough pill to swallow. While the Ally X undoubtedly offers a fantastic gaming experience, it is hard to recommend at its current price point unless battery life and portability are your top priorities.
Pros:
- Excellent battery life
- Consistent performance
- Ergonomic design improvements
- Clicky, tactile buttons
- Improved thermal management
- Smooth Armoury Crate SE experience
Cons:
- No OLED display
- Windows OS shortcomings
- Steep pricing
Ratings (out of 10):
- Design: 8
- Display: 7
- Software: 7
- Performance: 9
- Battery Life: 9
- Value for Money: 6
- Overall: 8
