The Asus ROG Strix XG16: A Portable Gaming Monitor With a Price That’s Hard to Swallow
The Asus ROG Strix XG16 portable gaming monitor, now available in India after its international launch in 2021, is marketed as a solution for a very specific use case. Its name, with its repeated emphasis on "ROG," or Republic of Gamers, and the word "portable," are not mere marketing gimmicks. This device is designed as an add-on or replacement monitor for gamers who seek a portable solution. Asus hopes you’ll pair it with an ROG laptop, keeping things within the family. However, you’re free to connect it to a Steam Deck (basically a PC) or a Nintendo Switch. But no matter what your approach, the ergonomics can be tricky.
The Asus ROG Strix XG16 offers two stand options: using its built-in kickstand or a fancy, adjustable tripod included in the package. Although you can utilize any standard camera tripod due to the standardized mount on the back, there’s not much point, since you already have the specialized one. This choice is more substantial outside India, where Asus sells two versions: one with and one without the tripod (called the XG16AHP-E and XG16AHP-W, respectively). However, in India, Asus only offers the latter, forcing users to buy the tripod even if they don’t want it.
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHP-W: Design and Specifications
Whether you opt for the kickstand or the tripod, the Asus portable monitor’s footprint is surprisingly large. The wafer-thin kickstand, which tilts from five to 27.5 degrees, doesn’t provide a stable base for the monitor. I tried using it in a car’s backseat, but it wobbled regardless of its position. Even when it doesn’t wobble, getting the perfect viewing angle is a challenge. The XG16 uses an IPS panel, not an OLED one, which limits the viewing angles. If you increase the tilt, the top of the display feels too far from the bottom, but lower angles make the 15.6-inch display feel small, forcing you to push it away for better angles.
Here are the specifications of the Asus ROG Strix XG16:
Dimensions:
- WxHxD: 28.6 cm x 21 cm x 1.2 cm
- With stand unfolded: 28.6 cm x 21 cm x 22.5 cm
Screen:
- Size: 15.6-inch
- Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- HDR: No
- Local Dimming: No
Performance:
- Refresh rate: 144Hz
- VRR: Yes
- Nvidia G-Sync: Yes
Other:
- Speakers: Yes
- Battery: 7,800 mAh
- Ports: Micro-HDMI, USB Type-C x2, 3.5mm audio out
The tripod comes with its own set of issues. Firstly, it’s quite heavy. Secondly, it takes up as much space as stands for much larger monitors. On my usual work desk, the ROG Strix XG16 tripod occupied the same amount of space as the built-in stand for my 24-inch Dell monitor, which is quite crazy. Consequently, the 15.6-inch display looks comical on the tripod, especially at its tallest setting. Most monitors have buttons on their front, but the XG16 places them on its top edge. This makes them awkward to use, particularly with the monitor on the tripod. Additionally, packing it is not smooth. The monitor fits neatly into the included sleeve, but there’s no carrying case for the tripod.
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHP-W: Performance
The ROG Strix XG16 shines when it comes to gaming monitor features. It boasts 144Hz refresh rate and comes with Nvidia G-Sync support right out of the box. While I didn’t have access to sources with 144Hz capability, I tested 120Hz with my PlayStation 5. As with any 120fps experience, the jump from 60fps isn’t easily noticeable. You definitely feel the difference when going from 30fps to 60fps, but doubling it again is less apparent. The colors are fantastic. Asus confidently includes a detailed calibration report sheet in the package, showcasing its commitment to color accuracy. The ROG Strix XG16 is flawlessly tuned out-of-the-box, but with some calibration, you can make it even better.
Though the Asus portable monitor is bright enough for indoor use (I never pushed it above 50 percent brightness), it lacks the brightness needed to outshine the sun in India. To be fair, most displays struggle with this.
Unfortunately, I can’t say the same about the built-in speakers. They are simply not loud enough, even with just the gentle sound of rain coming through an open window. You’re better off using headphones. Surprisingly, the ROG Strix XG16 includes a 3.5mm audio jack, useful if you have old headphones or earbuds. I would have preferred volume buttons directly on the monitor, as navigating through the menus to adjust the volume every time, especially with the awkward button placement, is a hassle.
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHP-W: Battery and Portability
Considering its portable nature, the ROG Strix XG16 comes with a 7,800mAh battery. Asus claims a battery life of up to three hours, but I didn’t subject it to a stress test with 144Hz output at maximum brightness, as that’s not realistic in real-world usage. What matters more is day-to-day performance. Watching a full-screen live video at 50 percent brightness, the ROG Strix XG16 lost about a fifth of its battery in 45 minutes. When used as a secondary monitor at 30 percent brightness with just a Slack window open, the monitor’s battery completely drained in four hours.
Speaking of using it as a secondary monitor, I found it more useful in this role compared to pure gaming. During work hours, I could move my TweetDeck tab to the ROG Strix XG16 and keep track of incoming news while working on a document or reviewing a TV show on my primary Dell monitor. At other times, I streamed Wimbledon or Commonwealth Games on the ROG Strix XG16 while browsing the internet on another display. While I don’t edit videos often these days, managing an Adobe Premiere Pro timeline becomes much easier by shifting the preview and controls to a second screen.
However, even when used in this way, the setup isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing. Due to the built-in kickstand and the monitor’s ability to stand independently, the ports are located on the left side. This means that the cables, at least one for input and another for charging the battery, protrude to the left. While I’m not picky about cables on my desk, it still looks messy. I tried to hide them by placing the ROG Strix XG16 side-by-side with another monitor, but the port positioning caused a cable clash with the other monitor. There’s no easy solution to this issue.
Asus ROG Strix XG16AHP-W: Verdict
The key issue with the ROG Strix XG16 is that it’s unnecessarily expensive as a secondary display at home. It launched with an MRP of Rs. 60,999, but Asus later stated that the price would drop to Rs. 48,999, and it is currently selling for less than that. However, that’s still a considerable amount of money – it’s "iPad Air money." If you’re in the market for a secondary monitor, you can find 24-inch full-HD monitors for a third of the price. If you want a gaming monitor with a 144Hz refresh rate, you can find 27-inch full-HD options for less than half the price. Admittedly, none of those offer portability, as they require constant plugging in.
Asus has put itself in a difficult position. The ROG Strix XG16 is designed for a narrow use case. The prominent ROG branding makes it clear that it’s targeted towards gamers on the go. Even for those who find it useful, how often will that be the case? Ask yourself: How many times have you wanted a Nintendo Switch display while traveling? How many times have you craved a secondary display for your laptop on the go? Before answering those questions, consider the cumbersome, non-ergonomic setup involved.
I’m not convinced there are 48,999 reasons to choose the ROG Strix XG16.
*The Asus ROG Strix XG16AHP-W was released in India in late June and became available for purchase in early August. It can currently be found on Flipkart.
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