ASUS ROG Ally X: Specs, vs Steam Deck & Worth It 2025

The ASUS ROG Ally X doubles down on the Windows handheld formula with an 80Wh battery—twice the original Ally’s capacity—alongside 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage as standard. For Irish gamers weighing it against the Steam Deck OLED, the trade-offs are clear: more power and stamina come at a significantly higher price.

Battery Capacity: 80Wh ·
RAM: 24GB LPDDR5X ·
Storage: 1TB SSD ·
Processor: AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme ·
Price (Europe): €899.99

These specifications position the Ally X as the most capable Windows handheld available, with direct implications for how it stacks up against its primary competitor.

Is ROG Ally X better than Steam Deck?

The short answer depends entirely on what you value most. Performance, battery life, and raw power go to the ROG Ally X. Efficiency, display quality for lighter titles, and price point lean toward Steam Deck OLED.

Performance benchmarks

The AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme inside the Ally X delivers substantially higher frame rates than Steam Deck’s custom AMD Zen 2 APU in demanding titles. In testing by Tom’s Guide, Cyberpunk 2077 with Ray Tracing Ultra ran at 9.6 FPS on the Ally X — not a smooth experience, but the Steam Deck OLED doesn’t approach playable frame rates on the same settings.

The ROG Ally X absolutely trounces it in terms of screen resolution, performance, RAM and SSD loading speeds.

— Tom’s Guide (technology review publication)

For more accessible AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at medium settings or titles like Spider-Man Remastered, the Ally X maintains 30-45 FPS comfortably where the Steam Deck OLED typically dips below 30 FPS in the same scenarios.

The singular major downside of the ROG Ally X is the price. We like the machine a lot, but there’s no getting around it: it’s $800.

— HotHardware (technology review publication)

Battery life comparison

Here the Ally X shows its strength most clearly. The 80Wh battery delivers approximately 2 hours 14 minutes of Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay compared to just 1 hour 25 minutes on Steam Deck OLED — nearly an hour longer per charge, according to battery benchmarks conducted by Tom’s Guide.

In lighter workloads, the Steam Deck OLED can stretch 3-12 hours depending on the game, while the Ally X reaches up to 3 hours in Turbo mode despite its larger cell. The trade-off: raw power consumption is significantly higher on the Ally X.

Ergonomics and screen

Both devices feature 7-inch displays, but they prioritize different qualities. The ROG Ally X offers 1080p resolution at 120Hz with VRR support, delivering sharper visuals and smoother motion for compatible games.

Steam Deck OLED counters with superior colour reproduction and OLED blacks, but at 800p native resolution. For AAA titles where performance matters more than visual fidelity, the Ally X’s higher resolution and refresh rate advantage often translates to better gameplay fluidity.

Ergonomically, the Ally X weighs 715g in its black configuration versus the original Ally’s 670g, and both are heavier than Steam Deck OLED. Extended sessions may fatigue hands more quickly on the ASUS device.

Is there much difference between ROG Ally and ROG Ally X?

The “X” designation represents a meaningful hardware revision, not merely a colour variant. Three core upgrades define the generational leap from the 2023 original Ally to the 2024 Ally X.

Battery and storage upgrades

The 80Wh battery doubles the original’s 40Wh capacity — the most impactful change for anyone who felt the original Ally’s 1.5-3 hour battery life during heavy gaming sessions was insufficient. HotHardware confirms the Ally X has “the biggest battery in any gaming handheld.”

RAM increase

Jumping from 16GB to 24GB LPDDR5X RAM provides headroom for emulation, multitasking between PC games and Discord, or running background applications without frame rate degradation. This matters particularly for emulation where system RAM directly limits the complexity of titles you can run.

Design changes

The Ally X adds dual USB-C ports versus the single port on the original, enabling charging while using accessories. The black chassis weighs 715g — 45g heavier than the white ROG Xbox Ally. Improved cooling and a refined grip design address some ergonomic criticisms of the original.

Is the ROG Ally X worth it?

Whether the Ally X justifies its price depends on your usage priorities. For PC gamers who need Windows compatibility, Game Pass integration, and maximum performance in a handheld form factor, the answer leans yes. For casual gaming or those satisfied with Steam’s library, Steam Deck OLED offers better value.

Price vs value in 2025

At €899.99 in Europe, the Ally X sits roughly $200 above Steam Deck OLED’s US pricing when converted. The HotHardware review team notes that while the device impresses, “the singular major downside of the ROG Ally X is the price. We like the machine a lot, but there’s no getting around it.”

Future-proofing for 2026

The 24GB RAM configuration provides headroom that the 16GB Steam Deck OLED lacks. As games become more demanding and emulation tools require additional memory, the Ally X’s extra capacity may extend its viable lifespan. The 1TB SSD as standard also eliminates the immediate storage upgrade cost that Steam Deck buyers face at lower capacities.

Pros and cons

What games run better on ROG Ally X?

The Ally X’s AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme and 24GB RAM combination handles a broader game library at higher settings than any competing handheld, with particular advantages in Xbox titles, emulation, and graphically intensive PC games.

AAA titles performance

Demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Spider-Man Remastered, and Starfield run at playable frame rates at medium settings where Steam Deck OLED struggles to maintain 30 FPS. The 120Hz display enables higher framerate targets in competitive titles like Fortnite and Apex Legends.

Emulation capabilities

The extra RAM and Windows environment make the Ally X particularly suited for emulating complex console generations. PS2, Wii U, Switch, and even early PS3 titles run significantly better than on Steam Deck’s 16GB configuration. The dual USB-C ports also simplify controller connectivity for emulated titles.

Power modes

The Ally X includes performance, balanced, and silent power modes. Turbo mode pushes the AMD Z1 Extreme to its 30W TDP limit, sustaining higher clocks but drawing heavily from the 80Wh battery. Balanced mode offers a middle ground, while silent mode prioritises acoustics and battery longevity for less demanding titles.

Do I need an Xbox for ROG Ally X?

No console is required. The ROG Ally X runs Windows 11 natively, meaning it functions as a full PC that can access any Windows game library, Steam, Epic, GOG, and Xbox Game Pass without additional hardware.

Xbox Game Pass integration

The device’s Xbox branding reflects deep Game Pass integration — the Xbox app comes pre-installed and the device is certified for Game Pass Ultimate cloud gaming. For subscribers, hundreds of cloud-streamed titles become playable immediately without downloading.

Cloud gaming options

Beyond Game Pass, the Ally X supports Xbox Cloud Gaming, GeForce Now, and Steam Link streaming. The 120Hz Wi-Fi 6E connectivity handles cloud streaming with minimal latency for titles that support it.

Standalone PC capabilities

As a Windows 11 device, the Ally X operates completely independently. You can install any PC game, connect to external displays via USB-C DisplayPort, or use it as a mini-PC for productivity tasks. The Steam Deck OLED’s Linux-based SteamOS cannot match this flexibility.

These specifications create a clear differentiation between these handhelds, with the Ally X leading in power, RAM, storage, and battery capacity.

The pattern shows the Ally X commands a €250+ premium for its hardware advantages, leaving buyers to weigh whether those gains justify the cost for their specific gaming needs.

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The ASUS ROG Ally X’s 80Wh battery and 24GB RAM give it an edge, as its full specs and comparisons further highlight advantages over the Steam Deck in 2025.

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