ASUS finally released a brand-new handheld gaming console dubbed the ROG Ally X. This portable gaming system arrives as an updated version of the ROG Ally, which launched last year. But what improvements does the ROG Ally X offer? Here’s every notable upgrade in the latest gaming handheld model.
1. ASUS ROG Ally X: Doubles the battery capacity from the ROG Ally
It is worth noting that the ROG Ally X is a mid-cycle update rather than a true successor. This is evident from the fact that it still sports the same 7-inch LCD screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and retains the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chipset under the hood. However, a major improvement in the newer model is the battery pack.
ASUS has doubled the battery pack to 80Wh, up from 40Wh on the original handheld console. The ROG Ally didn’t have the best battery life, but the Ally X should be a bit more respectable in this regard even when running intense video games.
2. Even storage & memory take a leap
The battery pack isn’t the only aspect that got doubled in the ASUS ROG Ally X. The brand has also doubled the storage on the handheld. It now houses 1TB of M.2 SSD, which is up from 512GB on its predecessor. That’s not all, the ROG Ally X now houses a full-size 2280 module.
This means that buyers can even use a larger driver later on. It also opens access to various third-party add-on options. Furthermore, the memory also got a slight bump from the original ROG Ally. You can now get up to 24GB of RAM, which is up from 16GB on the regular Ally. It also comes with a faster LPDDR5X RAM.
3. Improved cooling for better performance
ASUS has decided to add a brand-new fan system to the new handheld gaming console. The brand claims that the new fans on this model offer 24 percent better airflow than the previous model, despite being 23 percent smaller in size. It even utilizes larger heat pipes.
Since portable gaming systems need to have robust cooling any improvement in thermal dissipation is highly welcomed since they allow for a smoother gaming experience over longer periods. So now, the performance mode draws 17W (up from 15W), and the silent mode draws 13W rather than 10W. This basically translates to slightly better performance when gaming.
4. Refreshed Design
The changes aren’t just on the inside, but on the exterior as well. The ROG Ally X comes with a new black exterior, which is slightly thicker than before. Although, there is a better grip overall and the buttons are also a bit more ergonomic. A notable change is the new precision D-Pad. Unfortunately, there are still no Hall Effect joysticks, but these do employ stiffer springs that should offer better durability.
That’s not all, the ROG Ally X now comes with a new third vent on top and the brand has skipped its proprietary XG mobile connector for a second USB-C port. There is also support for USB 5 and Thunderbolt 4. So you can hook up an external GPU if you want. All in all, ASUS is just working on the formula from the first gen model. These changes make the Ally series into a more rounded handheld console, improving upon the original’s shortcoming.
