The ROG Xbox Ally X, built by ASUS with Microsoft’s Xbox team, goes on sale today at USD 999.99. It pairs AMD’s Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip with 24 GB of fast memory and grips shaped like an Xbox controller, and it boots into an Xbox full screen experience layered on top of Windows 11. The first reviews are positive on comfort, performance and battery, while agreeing that the price is steep and that this is still a Windows PC underneath.
This is a documented review: I brought together the official specs from Xbox and the measured results published by testers such as Engadget and Tom’s Hardware, then added my own verdict.
At a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | USD 999.99 (the base ROG Xbox Ally is USD 599.99) |
| Arab market availability | Officially sold in the UAE and Saudi Arabia from launch day. Check ASUS and local retailers for the current price |
| TechKahwa rating | 8.5/10 |
| Best for | PC gamers with a big Steam or Xbox PC library who want a comfortable, powerful handheld |
| Skip if | You want a console that just works, an OLED screen, or a handheld at a mid-range price |
Design, screen and hardware
ASUS gave the handheld deep grips that look and sit like an Xbox controller, and reviewers describe it as very comfortable over long sessions. The trade-off is size. It weighs 715 g according to Wikipedia’s listing, and Engadget gives it as 1.58 pounds, so it is a bulky device to hold up for hours or carry in a small bag.
The screen is a 7 inch Full HD panel at 1920 x 1080, with a 120 Hz refresh rate and variable refresh rate support, according to Xbox. It is an IPS display rated at 500 nits (Wikipedia). Reviewers note it looks less vivid than the OLED screens on some competing handhelds, and at this price that comparison is hard to avoid.
The official hardware list from Xbox is strong:
- AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor
- 24 GB of LPDDR5X-8000 memory
- 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2280 SSD
- Dedicated Xbox button
Wikipedia lists an 80 Wh battery, a USB4 port compatible with DisplayPort 2.1 and Thunderbolt 4, a second USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, a microSD slot and a 3.5 mm headphone jack.
What caught my attention is the software approach. Instead of dropping you into the normal Windows desktop, the Ally X starts in an Xbox full screen experience designed for a controller. That makes it much easier to use than plain Windows on a small screen. It does not turn the device into an Xbox console, though. It runs PC games, not Xbox Series games natively, and reviewers still ran into Windows rough edges.
Performance and battery
Engadget tested Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p on medium settings and measured “62.1 fps while plugged in and set to its max 35-watt Turbo mode”. For a demanding game on a handheld, holding above 60 fps at Full HD is a strong result.
Battery life is where the 80 Wh battery shows its value. Engadget played Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 at 1080p medium with the screen at full brightness and reports that “the Xbox Ally X lasted just shy of three and a half hours”. Tom’s Hardware measured the drop to half charge instead: Marvel’s Midnight Suns “dropped to 50% after an hour and 32 minutes”, and Alan Wake 2 “hit 50% in an hour and 35 minutes”.
For a Windows gaming handheld running modern games, about three hours of play is a good result, and reviewers call the battery life long for this category.
| Tested result | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077, 1080p medium, plugged in, 35 W Turbo | 62.1 fps | Engadget |
| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, 1080p medium, max brightness | Just under 3.5 hours | Engadget |
| Marvel’s Midnight Suns, battery to 50% | 1 hour 32 minutes | Tom’s Hardware |
| Alan Wake 2, battery to 50% | 1 hour 35 minutes | Tom’s Hardware |
What reviewers agree on
Strengths:
- Very comfortable controller-style grips.
- Strong performance, with Engadget measuring over 60 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p medium when plugged in.
- Long battery life for a Windows handheld.
- The Xbox full screen experience is far easier to use than plain Windows.
Weaknesses:
- The USD 999.99 price.
- The IPS screen is less vivid than OLED rivals.
- Still Windows underneath, with rough edges.
- Bulky and heavy to hold.
- Some features are promised after launch rather than ready today.
Who should buy it
In my view, the Ally X suits one type of buyer best: a PC gamer who already owns a large game library and wants to play it on the sofa, in bed or while travelling, with a grip built for long sessions. If that describes you, the performance and battery results justify a lot.
If you want the simplicity of a console, look elsewhere. Despite the Xbox branding, this is a Windows PC, and you will still meet updates, launchers and settings screens. The base ROG Xbox Ally at USD 599.99 is worth a look too if the premium model’s price is too much.
For gamers in the region, availability is good news. According to Wikipedia, the handheld is officially sold in the UAE and Saudi Arabia from launch day, and regional outlets TahawulTech and Tbreak reported that UAE preorders opened on September 26 through retailers and the ASUS UAE eShop. Buying locally means a regional warranty. Check local stores for the current price.
Verdict
The ROG Xbox Ally X is a polished Windows gaming handheld built around comfort. Engadget gave it 88/100, and the measured results support that: over 60 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 when plugged in, and about three hours or more of battery in demanding games.
The price is the obstacle. At USD 999.99 you are paying premium money for a device with an IPS screen and a Windows core that still needs work. If you are a committed PC gamer, it is easy to recommend. If you are on the fence, the base model or a wait for a price drop makes sense. TechKahwa rating: 8.5/10.
Sources
- Xbox, ROG Xbox Ally product and specifications page (undated), https://www.xbox.com/en-US/handhelds/rog-xbox-ally
- Wikipedia, ROG Xbox Ally article (undated reference entry), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ROG_Xbox_Ally
- VideoCardz, ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X officially priced at USD 999, September 2025, https://videocardz.com/newz/asus-rog-xbox-ally-x-officially-priced-at-999-rog-xbox-ally-at-599
- Engadget, ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X review, October 15, 2025, https://www.engadget.com/gaming/pc/asus-rog-xbox-ally-x-review-an-extra-life-for-xbox-130050224.html
- Tom’s Hardware, ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X review, October 15, 2025, https://www.tomshardware.com/video-games/console-gaming/asus-rog-xbox-ally-x-review
- TahawulTech, ROG Xbox Ally series preorders begin in the UAE, September 2025, https://www.tahawultech.com/gaming/rog-xbox-ally-series-pre-orders-begin-in-the-uae/
- Tbreak, ROG Xbox Ally UAE preorders, price and date, September 2025, https://tbreak.com/rog-xbox-ally-uae-preorders-price-date/