The new ROG Ally X fixes handheld gaming's biggest problem

Asus has announced the ROG Ally X, the successor to the 2023 ROG Ally. It boasts a number of improvements, but one of the best changes is the increased battery capacity.

ROG Ally X doubles the battery capacity of the original

Announced at Computerx 2024, the ROG Ally X improves on the original handheld gaming device in many ways. One of the biggest differences is that the battery capacity has been doubled. Instead of the 40Wh battery featured on ROG Ally, ROG Ally X has an 80Wh battery.

Battery life is one of the biggest sticking points for owners of the original ROG Ally, which has a battery life of around 1.5 hours for AAA games. The increased battery capacity on the ROG Ally X means you'll see a significant increase in its battery life, depending on how other upgrades affect power usage. But with the same screen and Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU, the improved battery life is a big plus.

Since portability is the main advantage of handheld devices and one of the important considerations when purchasing a handheld gaming console, improved battery life will give device owners freedom to move around for longer. After all, if you're constantly tethered to a power outlet, you're missing out on one of the biggest advantages of handheld devices.

Other ROG Ally X innovations

Battery capacity isn't the only improvement seen in the ROG Ally X. Asus has also improved the handheld's RAM, storage, design and temperature.

It has up to 24GB of LPDDR5X-7500 RAM, along with a 1TB SSD. In terms of cooling, the console contains smaller fans with thin blades to help improve airflow. According to Asus, this means the amount of air passing through the device will increase by 24%. This improved airflow keeps the display up to 6℃ cooler than its predecessor.

You may also notice that the frame has been redesigned, most notably in a new black color. Asus introduces new colors based on feedback from customers. The company also replaced the XG Mobile port with two USB-C ports (one of which is Thunderbolt), improving compatibility with third-party docks.

However, these improvements come with a higher price tag. The console is available for pre-order from Asus' online store for $799.99. The ROG Ally Z1 Extreme was originally launched for $699.99.

While the improvements might not necessarily make you switch from ROG Ally to ROG Ally X, the new features and hardware certainly make this an attractive option in the competitive handheld market.

Micah Soto

Update 04 June 2024