Xbox Ally X vs ROG Ally X: What's the difference between the handhelds?

The Xbox Ally X is the first "official" handheld gaming device to be introduced this Fall. With design aesthetics from both Asus and Microsoft, the company is aiming for a streamlined gaming experience alongside top-notch hardware that puts the Steam Deck to shame. However, the Ally isn't new to high-end APU treatment: the original ROG Ally immediately took the performance crown when it was introduced in 2023, and the Ally X continues to maintain that. So, what's changing with the new Xbox-branded iteration?

Let's review all specs, details, and performance benchmarks to figure out.

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The Xbox Ally X is the next iteration of the ROG Ally X, although it may not seem like one

The ROG Xbox Ally X is a high-end gaming device targeting the premium market (Image via Xbox)

The two generations of Ally X share several similarities: they both use AMD hardware exclusively, bundle similar displays, and share a similar memory buffer: 24 GB LPDDR5X. However, certain changes are being made under the hood. Let's review the specs details.

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Specs comparison

The biggest update with the Xbox Ally X is the new Z2 Extreme chipset. It bundles eight Zen 5 cores and an RDNA 3.5 iGPU for about 15-30% better performance depending on the video game. This is up from the Zen 4 and RDNA 3-based Z1 Extreme chipset on last year's device. Moreover, the Z2E also packs an NPU, which earns it an "AI" moniker — the benefits in video games remain to be seen.

Both devices bundle 24 GB LPDDR5X memory. However, the newer iteration is getting a speed iteration to 8,000 MT/s. Storage-wise, you're getting the same 1 TB M.2 2280 Gen 4 drive. A 2 TB expansion was later announced for the original Ally X; however, the same hasn't been introduced for the Xbox variant yet.

Battery and I/O remain the same as well. You get an 80 Wh cell with dual USB Type-C ports that support DisplayPort out and Power Delivery. However, the higher-end chip makes the Xbox Ally X quite a bit heavier at 715g vs. 678g.

Here are the detailed differences in specs lists between the two gaming handhelds:

Spec	ROG Ally X	ROG Xbox Ally X
CPU	AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core/16-thread, RDNA 3 iGPU)	AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (Zen 5, more powerful, includes NPU)
RAM	24 GB LPDDR5X-7500	24 GB LPDDR5X-8000
Storage	1 TB (M.2 2280, upgradable; some variants offer up to 2 TB)	1 TB (M.2 2280, upgradable)
Battery	80 Wh	80 Wh
Display	7″ FHD (1920×1080) IPS, 120 Hz, 500 nits, VRR, Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC	Same as Ally X: 7″ FHD IPS, 120 Hz, 500 nits, VRR, Gorilla Glass Victus + DXC
I/O Ports	USB-C Thunderbolt 4 / USB4, + USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2, DP1.4), microSD (UHS-II), 3.5 mm jack	1× USB4 / TB4 + 1× USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C (both DP 2.1/PD), UHS-II microSD, 3.5 mm jack
Weight & Dimensions	≈678 g; ~280 × 111 × 25–37 mm	≈715 g; 290.8 × 121.5 × 50.7 mm
Ergonomics & Controls	Standard ROG handheld layout, no impulse triggers	Xbox-inspired grips, impulse triggers, ABXY layout with XO-like styling
AI / Software Features	Standard Windows 11 environment (Armoury Crate enhancements)	Xbox “Full-Screen Experience,” AI features (Auto SR, highlight capture)

Beyond the hardware differences, the biggest change would likely be the Xbox-inspired design language of the new Xbox Ally X. In a uniquely hybrid fashion, the Ally X is getting an impulse trigger with an Xbox-like D-pad and thumb buttons. Moreover, the thumb grips have also been redone with the same textures as Series console controllers.

This should massively improve player experience alongside exclusive software features like Full-Screen Experience and native Xbox app integration, making the Ally a low-effort alternative for those who already own a Series S/X.

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Performance comparison

The ROG Ally X is being replaced with a more "official" lineup (Image via Xbox)

Performance has gone up considerably with the Z2 Extreme chipset. Per synthetic benchmarks, we are looking at 15-20% gains in single-core capabilities, which is impressive for gen-on-gen improvements. However, gains in video games are more modest.

Here are some of the benchmark details on the chips powering the two devices. They have been recorded in a head-to-head test by the YouTube channel ETA Prime.

	AMD Z1 Extreme	AMD Z2 Extreme
Geekbench 6 single-core (25W)	2379	2766
Geekbench 6 multi-core (25W)	10434	11163
OpenCL	27807	33488
3DMark Time Spy (25W)	3017	3495
3DMark Steel Nomad	485	560
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p Steam Deck)	42 FPS	46 FPS
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p Low)	44 FPS	57 FPS
Forza Horizon 5 (1080p Medium)	76 FPS	80 FPS

On average, we note a 14.8% performance gain with the Z2E in the Xbox Ally X. However, this is largely skewed by gains in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. The new chip is likely pushing rasterization harder, which directly helps the SoTTR benchmark. Gains in Forza Horizon 5 and Cyberpunk 2077 stay slimmer as they're mostly well-optimized gains on handhelds.

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While the performance improvements are on the side, the biggest selling point of the Xbox Ally X is, you guessed it, the Xbox integration. The console costs an eye-watering $899, up from the already exorbitant $800 the Ally X launched at. Asus is justifying the cost by being the only PC-based handheld maker that offers "official" Xbox-based design and software support out of the box. For most gamers, the Ally X continues to be a superb deal worth considering in mid-2025.