The handheld gaming market is in the midst of a renaissance, fueled by a surge of innovation and fierce competition among tech giants. It’s a remarkable turnaround from just a few years ago, when the Nintendo Switch stood nearly alone as the go-to portable console. Now, as of late December 2025, the landscape is packed with options from major players like PlayStation, Lenovo, Asus, MSI, and Valve—each vying for a slice of the growing handheld pie. The latest entrant making waves is the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X, a bold collaboration between Asus’s Republic of Gamers (ROG) and Microsoft’s Xbox division. But does this high-powered machine justify its eye-watering price tag? According to reviews from Stuff and Stuff.tv, the answer isn’t as straightforward as Microsoft and Asus might hope.
The ROG Xbox Ally X is nothing if not ambitious. At $999.99 (or £799 in the UK), it’s positioned as a premium device, powered by the formidable AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme chipset. This beefy processor, paired with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of onboard storage, is designed to handle the latest AAA games at 1080p with ease. The device boasts a 7-inch Full HD LCD panel with a 120Hz variable refresh rate, chunky controller grips reminiscent of the Xbox Series X, and immersive Impulse trigger haptics that bring games to life in your hands. There’s even a fingerprint-sensing power button for quick logins—a small but welcome nod to convenience.
Design-wise, Microsoft and Asus have gone all-in on the Xbox aesthetic. The Ally X comes in a sleek all-black finish, with micro-etched ROG XBOX lettering and a dedicated Xbox button that launches the new full-screen Xbox interface. The control layout is classic Xbox: offset analogue sticks, an eight-way directional pad, four face buttons, bumpers, triggers, and assignable rear buttons. The illuminated thumbstick surrounds can even be customized to your favorite color. As Stuff notes, "You really feel like you’re playing on an Xbox pad, not a third-party knock off." At 715 grams, the Ally X is heavier than rivals like the Steam Deck OLED and Nintendo Switch 2, but the ergonomic grips make it comfortable for long sessions—so long as you don’t mind the extra heft in your backpack.
The Ally X’s hardware is undeniably impressive, but the competition isn’t sitting still. Valve’s Steam Deck OLED, for instance, starts at just $549 and features a vibrant 7.4-inch OLED display—a clear edge over the Ally X’s LCD panel, which, while bright at 500 nits, lacks the deeper blacks and HDR support now common in rivals. The Nintendo Switch 2, priced around $550, offers a lower-powered NVIDIA processor but makes up for it with Nintendo’s signature first-party titles and versatile gaming modes, including detachable controllers and tabletop play. For many gamers, the Switch 2’s focus on accessibility and fun trumps raw horsepower.
Performance is where the Ally X aims to shine. Benchmarks from Stuff show that the device delivers on Microsoft’s promise of 1080p gameplay. The Ryzen Z2 Extreme’s eight cores and sixteen threads, running at up to 35W TDP, push frame rates above 60fps in many modern titles—provided you’re willing to tweak settings. Forza Horizon 5, for example, runs at 75fps on High, while Hogwarts Legacy hits a locked 60fps at lower details. More demanding games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider require compromises, with frame rates dipping into the 40s at higher settings. The Ally X’s variable refresh rate helps smooth out these dips, but it’s clear that not every game will hit the magical 60fps mark without some adjustments.
Battery life, often the Achilles’ heel of portable powerhouses, is another area where the Ally X holds its own. The 80Whr battery, combined with efficient power scaling, offers flexibility depending on your needs. On the highest performance profile, you’ll get less than two hours of playtime in graphically intense titles like Cyberpunk 2077. However, dialing back to lower power modes stretches battery life north of three hours for mainstream games and up to six hours for indie fare—a notable improvement over earlier generations. The included 65W power brick is compact and recharges the device in about ninety minutes, making it practical for travel.
Software has long been a sticking point for PC-based handhelds, especially those running Windows. Microsoft has taken significant steps to address this, introducing a full-screen Xbox interface optimized for touch and controller navigation. According to Stuff.tv, "The full-screen Xbox interface is now the first thing you see after passing the Windows lock screen. It’s got a layout that actually works on a small display, with touch- and controller-friendly navigation, and it doesn’t pretend other storefronts don’t exist: Steam, Epic, GOG and BattleNet are all integrated, with newly added games appearing automatically." This integration is a marked improvement, though the software still isn’t as streamlined as Valve’s Linux-based SteamOS, which remains the gold standard for handheld usability.
Other quality-of-life features include improved resource management, better anti-cheat compatibility, and a refreshed Game Bar that makes it easier to adjust audio balance and manage friends lists. Asus’s own Armory Crate SE software is less prominent than before, with most settings now accessible through the Game Bar’s quick panel. However, some rough edges remain. The lack of an OLED screen and HDR support is a letdown at this price point, and the device’s size and weight make it less portable than competitors. As Stuff points out, "With a Steam Deck OLED costing considerably less, you’ve got to be something of a Microsoft die-hard to buy one of these at full retail price."
Price remains the biggest hurdle for the Ally X. At nearly $1,000, it’s more than double the cost of the Steam Deck OLED and Nintendo Switch 2, both of which offer compelling experiences at a fraction of the price. The lower-tier ROG Xbox Ally, priced at $599, may make more sense for those who don’t need the absolute best specs. For gamers prioritizing value, the Steam Deck OLED’s combination of performance, display quality, and software polish is hard to beat. Meanwhile, the Switch 2 continues to dominate the family-friendly and on-the-go gaming segments, thanks to its unique hardware and stellar game library.
Ultimately, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a technical marvel that pushes the boundaries of handheld gaming. It’s comfortable, powerful, and packed with thoughtful features. But in a market where value and versatility reign supreme, its high price and a few lingering software quirks keep it from dethroning the current champions. For Microsoft and Asus, it’s a strong first step into handheld territory—one that will surely influence the next wave of portable gaming innovation.
As gamers weigh their options, one thing is clear: the era of the handheld arms race is here, and players have never had more exciting choices at their fingertips.
