Asus ROG Ally vs Asus ROG Ally X: should you buy the new model?
Asus ROG Ally vs Asus ROG Ally X: should you buy the new model?
Asus has two versions of its ROG Ally handheld to choose from, but which one is right for you?
The Asus ROG Ally has been a breakout success for the Taiwanese computer manufacturer, providing some stern competition for Valve’s incredibly popular Steam Deck. That success means we’re getting a successor of sorts to the first Asus ROG Ally, the Asus ROG Ally X. But which one is right for you?
We’ll compare the Asus ROG Ally vs Asus ROG Ally X in our detailed comparison below so you can make an informed buying decision when the time comes. After all, the latest version of a device doesn’t always mean it’s the greatest, and you might get more bang for your buck by sticking with the older model.
It’s worth making clear that the Asus ROG Ally X isn’t an Asus ROG Ally 2. Instead, it’s a refinement of the existing handheld based on the feedback of current owners and the ROG Ally community. Check out the full Asus ROG Ally vs Asus ROG Ally X comparison below.
Asus ROG Ally vs Asus ROG Ally X: price
The Asus ROG Ally price starts at $599 for the AMD Ryzen Z1 chip and jumps to $699 for the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme model. Both versions have seen the odd price drop here and there, especially during the holiday period. We might see a permanent price cut for the Asus ROG Ally Z1 and Z1 Extreme models once the Asus ROG Ally X releases, which could make the current ROG Ally a more tempting proposition for new buyers, but we’ll have to wait and see.
The Asus ROG Ally X price is $799, $100 more than the $699 Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme model. The price increase could put people off as the upgrades aren’t as substantial as we saw with Valve’s Steam Deck OLED revision. You’re essentially paying for better battery life, with some under-the-hood improvements.
Asus ROG Ally vs Asus ROG Ally X: specs
The Asus ROG Ally and Asus ROG Ally X are very similar in terms of specs, but some subtle changes to the Ally X could tempt current owners into an upgrade.
Asus ROG Ally specs
💰 Price: $599/$699
📺 Display: 7-inch, 1080p IPS, 120Hz
💽 Storage: 512GB
💪 CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1/Z1 Extreme
💭 RAM: 16GB LPDDR5-6400
🏋️ Weight: 608 grams
🔋 Battery: 40 Wh
Asus ROG Ally X specs
💰 Price: $799
📺 Display: 7-inch, 1080p IPS, 120Hz
💽 Storage: 1TB
💪 CPU: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
💭 RAM: 24GB LPDDR5-X7500
🏋️ Weight: 678 grams
🔋 Battery: 80 Wh
The Asus ROG Ally X features the same 1080p, 120Hz display, and the same Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, but Asus said the Ally X will come with more RAM, more storage, and a far larger battery. The device is slightly heavier and thicker as a result.
Asus ROG Ally vs Asus ROG Ally X: key differences
Even though the Asus ROG Ally and Ally X boast the same Z1 Extreme processor, some key differences are worth highlighting. The most obvious of which is that the Asus ROG Ally X comes with a black shell instead of white, but there are more tweaks underneath the hood that gamers should be aware of.
One of the biggest criticisms leveled at the Asus ROG Ally was its subpar battery life. Asus says it has addressed that feedback head-on with the Asus ROG Ally X, with the company’s SVP Shawn Yen telling The Verge, “We’re not looking at 30 to 40 percent more capacity. We’re looking way more than that.”
That’s a bold claim, but it’s one that should please Asus ROG Ally fans. The handheld’s battery life can die out after 1.5 hours when playing an intensive game, so hopefully, it can hit at least three hours on the Asus ROG Ally X. With a battery capacity that’s double the size of the original Asus ROG Ally, the Ally X should be able to deliver on those promises.
The handheld’s SD card reader has also been moved to a new location, which is due to the Ally X having a rearranged motherboard. Some ROG Ally units exhibited issues with the SD card reader, but Asus is still refusing to admit any fault.
The Asus ROG Ally X will also feature more than the current 16GB of RAM, which could increase performance in certain titles. It’ll include 24GB of LPDDR5X-7500 instead of 16GB of LPDDR5-6400. It should be easier to upgrade the handheld’s storage, too, as the Ally X will use an M.2 2280 SSD instead of the current M.2 2230. You’ll also get 1TB instead of 512GB.
What’s more, gamers can expect the Ally X to feature revised grips, and slightly retuned D-Pad, analog sticks, and triggers. These internal and external changes mean the handheld will weigh more than the current ROG Ally, 678 grams instead of 608 grams.
Asus ROG Ally vs Asus ROG Ally X: which one should you buy?
It’s clear that the Asus ROG Ally X isn’t an Asus ROG Ally 2, but it promises to deliver some welcome improvements to the existing ROG Ally that launched on June 13, 2023. The bigger battery is the obvious highlight, and the black design might be more appealing to new buyers than the current Asus ROG Ally’s white shell.
Still, you’ll have to pay more than the $699 asking price of the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme model, which has gone on sale in the past. There’s also a good chance that the introduction of the Asus ROG Ally X could result in permanent price cuts for the Z1 and Z1 Extreme models of the existing ROG Ally, making it a more tempting purchase.
If you’ve learned to cope with the Asus ROG Ally’s battery life and haven’t felt any pressing need to upgrade, it’s unlikely that the Asus ROG Ally X will do enough to justify spending more than $699 on a new model. However, it could be a great option for newcomers.
If you still can’t decide between the two handhelds, check out our Asus ROG Ally vs Steam Deck comparison. It’s also worth considering the Nintendo Switch vs OLED due to the sheer breadth of games available and cheaper price point, even if Nintendo’s handheld will soon be replaced by the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025.
Last updated: June 3, 2024
Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.