ROG Xbox Ally X vs ROG Ally X: Which is the better gaming handheld?

The ROG Xbox Ally X was revealed at the Xbox Games Showcase, and is expected to be released in the holiday season of this year. The specifications we've seen of the new ROG Xbox Ally were quite underwhelming, with the design and battery life being the only major upgrades. The case isn't quite the same when it comes to the ROG Xbox Ally X, though, as it comes with big improvements, both in terms of performance and build quality.

This might make you wonder how the new handheld would perform against the original ROG Ally X, especially when it comes to performance. This comparison looks into the major differences in their specifications and compares their gaming performance, displays, design, and more.

Note: Some parts of the article are subjective and reflect the writer's views.

ROG Xbox Ally X vs ROG Ally X: What are their specs?

Both the ROG Xbox Ally X and the ROG Ally X are premium handheld gaming devices (Image via Asus)

Now that Xbox finally has a handheld, the expectations are quite high. Their team-up with Asus was quite surprising as well, but the product has turned out to be quite exciting. Both gaming handheld consoles come with several similarities, but also many differences, especially in terms of processor and design.

Here are the detailed specs of the two handheld gaming consoles:

Features	ROG Xbox Ally X (RC73XA)	ROG Ally X (RC72LA)
Processor	CPU: AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (Zen 5) GPU: AMD RDNA 3.5	CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4) GPU: AMD RDNA 3
Display	7-inch, FHD, 120Hz	7-inch, FHD, 120Hz
RAM	24 GB LPDDR5X	24 GB LPDDR5
Storage	1 TB M.2 SSD	1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD 2 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
Battery	80 Wh	80 Wh
Weight	715 g	678 g

Also read: All video game announcements from Xbox Games Showcase 2025: Outer Worlds 2, Call of Duty Black Ops 7, and more

Performance

The performance difference is quite notable between the two consoles. The ROG Xbox Ally X features a new AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (Zen 5) processor, which features more graphics cores than the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4) processor seen on the ROG Ally X. However, the CPU cores and threads on both processors are the same.

The GPUs featured are the AMD RDNA 3.5 and the AMD RDNA 3 on the respective consoles. While it isn't monumental, you should see a decent increase in framerates and better handling of 1080p resolution and graphics on the new console. Earlier, players had to resort to 900p or lower resolutions to get smooth framerates. It seems like that shouldn't be an issue with the new Xbox Ally X.

Both consoles feature 24 GB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD storage. The RAM on the ROG Xbox Ally X, however, is an LPDDR5X, compared to the LPDDR5 on the ROG Ally X. This equates to slightly faster processing and more power efficiency. Also, it's important to note that the original Ally X also had a 2 TB variant, which is absent on Xbox's Ally X.

Display

Just like the ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Ally, the X series consoles also feature the exact same display specifications. All ROG handheld models so far feature the same 7-inch FHD display, having a 120Hz refresh rate. While these aren't bad in any way, an upgrade would have been quite good, considering it's coming from Xbox.

Both devices feature up to 500 nits peak brightness, which should be quite decent for outdoor use. However, it might not be the brightest for very sunny days. The high refresh rate helps prevent motion blur, while support for AMD FreeSync Premium on both consoles helps reduce screen tearing and stuttering.

Build and design

The Ally X series handhelds are more performance and comfort-oriented consoles (Image via Xbox, Asus)

The ROG Ally X was a little thicker, so it was the most comfortable handheld of its generation. The new ROG Xbox Ally X comes with even bulkier grips, making it bigger and heavier than most handhelds. You can see the difference in the image above, with the Xbox Ally X (left) being bulkier than the ROG Ally X (right). However, this equates to unparalleled comfort and ergonomics for long game sessions.

Both consoles come with Hall Effect analog triggers, HD haptics, and a 6-axis Gyro. They're fairly similar in almost all aspects, but vary when it comes to the design and comfort. Xbox seems to have prioritized fully on comfort, so the new console is definitely not the most portable option available in the market due to its bulky build.

Also read: ROG Xbox Ally vs ROG Ally: How are these gaming handhelds different?

Battery

The ROG Xbox Ally X and the ROG Ally X feature the same 80 Wh battery. However, their runtimes may not exactly be the same. The original ROG Ally X ran close to an average of 2.5-to-3 hours of gaming and almost 14 hours of video playback.

The ROG Xbox Ally X features a new processor, which is significantly more power efficient. So, you could expect slightly longer runtimes, whether it be gaming or video playback.

ROG Xbox Ally X vs ROG Ally X: Final verdict

This concludes the comparison of the two X series consoles, and we've noticed quite a few interesting features on both gaming handhelds. The new ROG Xbox Ally X is the clear winner here, even though the exact performance metrics are yet to be released. Not only does it feature a more powerful APU, but it also comes with a more comfortable design and potentially longer battery life.

The exact prices of the new ROG Xbox Ally X are yet to be announced. However, it shouldn't be very different compared to the original ROG Ally X. That said, even if the new Xbox handheld ends up being more expensive, it still serves as a better option because of the huge upgrades we see.

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About the author

Adith Pramod is a Tech writer at Sportskeeda and a student pursuing his bachelor's degree.
He is a dedicated tech enthusiast, delving passionately into the world of technology—from mobiles to PCs. An avid gamer, he channels his fascination into exploring and sharing the intricacies of all things tech.

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Edited by Abu Amjad Khan