The ROG Ally brought me back to gaming after a long break, so I was really excited to get my hands on the next iteration of the device, the ROG Ally X.

My thoughts after using it extensively for the past two weeks are that it’s set a new bar for handheld game systems. There’s not one single feature that makes the ROG Ally X blow past its predecessor, but instead it’s just a laundry list of small improvements over the ROG Ally — 8GB of more RAM, doubled battery size from 40 Wh to 80 Wh, and more storage space with 1TB, and a lot more.

I’ve been both a console and a PC gamer throughout my life, but since I got the ROG Ally, I’ve pretty much exclusively played on the handheld. I can access all my games on Steam and Xbox Games Pass. I’ve even managed to set it up so I can play my Playstation on the ROG Ally using Remote Play. Asus has totally changed how I game with the ROG Ally, and the ROG Ally X is another huge step forward.

Price, availability, and specs

The ROG Ally X is the best handheld gaming device on the market, but it’s also the most expensive at $800. The original ROG Ally is currently available for $650. You can also choose between three models of the Steam Deck, $400, $550, or $650. The ROG Ally X beats out all the other models in terms of specs. It has the largest battery at 80 wH, the most expensive Steam Deck is next at 50 wH. It also has the most RAM to offer out of the top gaming handhelds. It has 1TB of storage space, the same as the $650 version of the Steam Deck.

Where it really shines, though, is all the games you can play. Access to Steam, as well as Xbox Game Pass give you a huge library of games. If you have a PlayStation, you can also connect it to your Ally X and play remotely. I’ve logged way too much time playing College Football 25 remotely from my PS5. The improved RAM and cooling system also make the Ally X the best place to play the latest, most taxing games that other handhelds will have a harder time running.

What I like about the Asus ROG Ally X

A perfect gaming experience on the go

The ROG Ally was already my favorite way to play games, but some simple quality-of-life improvements over the older design have made the ROG Ally X the best handheld gaming device available. It’s also clear to me that if you’re choosing between the ROG Ally and the ROG Ally X, the newer model is the way to go — despite its higher price tag.

I’ve played a ton of games on the ROG Ally X to try to get a feel for the system’s limitations, and I haven’t really found them yet. I’ve spent 8 hours on Cyberpunk 2077 and more time on a heavily modded version of Fallout 4, and the new handheld runs them beautifully, usually bouncing between 30 and 100 fps. This is a big improvement over the original ROG Ally, which couldn’t really handle Cyberpunk 2077 in my experience.

I’ve also tested less demanding games in lower performance modes, and the experience has been great. The most noticeable improvement is the battery life. I pretty much gave up playing games on the original Ally without having it plugged in, but with the ROG Ally X, I routinely play for hours without needing to charge. Recently, I played the remastered GTA: San Andreas for about six hours straight without plugging in. That said, I’d still recommend keeping it charged for more demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 — they just won’t run as well without power.

I’ve also noticed far fewer issues with Windows OS glitching compared to the original Ally, so it seems as if Asus has really ironed out some of the kinks between the two models.

What I don’t like about playing on the ROG Ally X

There’s not much to not like

There’s not much I don’t like about the ROG Ally X. My biggest complaint is that the buttons are a little loud when I click them. The ROG Ally X is also noticeably heavier than the original, but that’s balanced out by the improved button layout and grip, which make it more comfortable to use for longer periods.

I also use my ROG Ally with AR glasses, which has two great benefits — it makes gaming more comfortable, since I don’t have to hold the console up or crane my neck down to see the screen, and it also makes my wife laugh at how ridiculous I look while playing. Another improvement is the addition of a second USB Type-C port, which makes connecting external devices a bit easier and more convenient.

Should you buy the Asus ROG Ally X?

It’s the best choice for a handheld gaming PC

If you’re looking for a handheld gaming device, I have a hard time thinking of a reason beyond the price that you should pick up anything other than a ROG Ally X, and even that it’s a stretch. If you’re going to pay $650 for the most powerful Steam Deck, you might as well shell out the extra $150 on the more powerful ROG Ally X.

While that $800 price tag is extremely expensive, there’s not really an affordable handheld gaming device worth the price. The cheapest Steam Deck is still $400 and will likely struggle to play new AAA games and require workarounds to access Xbox game pass. Once you get past the $400 dollar Steam Deck, all the other options offer less RAM and storage, smaller batteries, and most importantly, fewer games, because the ROG Ally X can handle the most intensive AAA games on the market, while also working with Game Pass and Playstation Remote Play.