Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the battle of the handhelds: the ASUS ROG Ally versus the upcoming ROG Ally X. If you're like me, you're probably itching to know what sets these two gaming powerhouses apart. So, let's break down the specs and see which one might be the perfect fit for your gaming needs.

Design and Build

When we talk about design and build, we're looking at more than just aesthetics. It's about how the device feels in your hands, its durability, and overall ergonomics. The original ROG Ally, while impressive, had its share of design quirks. The Ally X aims to address some of these, promising a more refined and comfortable gaming experience. Let's get into details.

ASUS ROG Ally

The original ASUS ROG Ally sports a sleek, white design that immediately catches the eye. Its lightweight build makes it relatively easy to hold for extended gaming sessions. The button layout is intuitive, and the integrated screen offers vibrant visuals. However, some users found the ergonomics could be better, especially for those with larger hands. The placement of the rear buttons sometimes led to accidental presses, which could disrupt gameplay. The overall build quality feels solid, but the plastic casing doesn't quite exude a premium feel. It's more about functionality than luxury. The weight distribution is generally balanced, but longer sessions can still cause some hand fatigue. The cooling vents are strategically placed, but the device can get a bit warm during intense gaming, which is a common issue with handhelds. Despite these minor drawbacks, the ROG Ally's design is a solid first effort, blending portability with decent ergonomics. The white finish, while stylish, is prone to smudges and can be difficult to keep clean, a minor inconvenience for those who like to keep their gadgets pristine. Overall, the original ROG Ally set a high bar for handheld gaming devices with its focus on performance and portability, even if it had a few design compromises.

ASUS ROG Ally X

The ROG Ally X is rumored to bring significant improvements to the design and build quality. One of the most anticipated changes is enhanced ergonomics. ASUS has reportedly listened to user feedback and redesigned the grips to provide a more comfortable and secure hold. This should reduce hand fatigue during long gaming sessions and make the device more accessible to a wider range of hand sizes. Another potential upgrade is the build material. While the original Ally used a plastic casing, the Ally X might feature a more premium material, such as a magnesium alloy, which would not only improve the device's durability but also give it a more premium feel. This would make the Ally X feel more substantial and better equipped to handle the rigors of daily use. The button layout is also expected to receive some tweaks. The rear buttons, which were a source of accidental presses on the original Ally, are likely to be repositioned or redesigned to prevent this issue. This would greatly enhance the gaming experience, especially in fast-paced action games where precision is key. Additionally, the cooling system is rumored to be upgraded, with larger vents and improved heat dissipation. This would allow the Ally X to maintain peak performance for longer periods without overheating, a crucial factor for demanding games. The overall design is expected to be more refined, with a focus on both aesthetics and functionality. The Ally X aims to provide a more premium and comfortable gaming experience, addressing the minor shortcomings of the original Ally. With these improvements, the ROG Ally X is shaping up to be a significant upgrade in terms of design and build quality.

Display

Let's move on to the display, which is your window into the gaming world. A great display can make or break your gaming experience, affecting everything from immersion to visual clarity. Both the ROG Ally and the ROG Ally X are expected to have impressive displays, but there might be some key differences.

ASUS ROG Ally

The ASUS ROG Ally features a 7-inch FHD (1920x1080) display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This combination delivers sharp visuals and smooth motion, making games look vibrant and fluid. The display also boasts a peak brightness of 500 nits, ensuring good visibility even in brightly lit environments. The color accuracy is decent, covering a good portion of the sRGB color gamut, which translates to rich and accurate colors. The viewing angles are also quite good, allowing you to see the screen clearly from various positions. The touch screen is responsive and accurate, making navigation and interaction with the device a breeze. The display is protected by Gorilla Glass, which provides added durability and scratch resistance. Overall, the ROG Ally's display is a strong performer, offering a great balance of resolution, refresh rate, and brightness. It's well-suited for gaming, video playback, and general use. The high refresh rate is particularly beneficial in fast-paced games, where it can give you a competitive edge. The FHD resolution ensures that games look sharp and detailed without putting too much strain on the device's hardware. While it's not the absolute best display on the market, it's certainly one of the best in the handheld gaming category. The ROG Ally's display is a key factor in its immersive gaming experience, providing vibrant visuals and smooth performance.

ASUS ROG Ally X

While details are still emerging, the ROG Ally X is expected to maintain or even improve upon the display quality of the original Ally. One possibility is an upgrade to an OLED panel, which would offer superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. OLED displays are known for their exceptional image quality, and incorporating one into the Ally X would be a significant upgrade. Another potential enhancement is a higher resolution. While the FHD resolution of the original Ally is good, a move to QHD (2560x1440) would provide even sharper visuals and more detail. This would be particularly noticeable in games with intricate graphics. The refresh rate is also likely to remain at 120Hz or even be increased to 144Hz, providing even smoother motion and a more responsive gaming experience. The brightness could also be improved, making the display more visible in direct sunlight. Additionally, the Ally X might feature improved color accuracy, covering a wider color gamut and providing more accurate colors. This would be beneficial for both gaming and content creation. The touch screen is also expected to be further refined, with improved responsiveness and accuracy. Overall, the ROG Ally X is poised to offer a display that is even more impressive than the original Ally's. Whether it's an upgrade to OLED, a higher resolution, or improved color accuracy, the Ally X's display is shaping up to be a visual feast.

Performance

Now, let's talk about the heart of any gaming device: performance. This is where the rubber meets the road, determining how well your games run and how smooth your overall experience will be. Both the ROG Ally and the ROG Ally X pack some serious power, but there are key differences to consider.

ASUS ROG Ally

The ASUS ROG Ally is powered by an AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor with integrated Radeon Graphics. This chip is specifically designed for handheld gaming, offering a great balance of power and efficiency. The Ryzen Z1 Extreme features 8 cores and 16 threads, providing plenty of processing power for demanding games. The integrated Radeon Graphics deliver impressive gaming performance, allowing you to play most modern games at decent settings. The Ally also comes with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and fast loading times. The 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD provides ample storage for games and applications, and the fast storage speeds contribute to quick boot times and game loading. In terms of real-world performance, the ROG Ally can handle most games at 1080p resolution with medium to high settings. Some more demanding titles may require you to lower the settings to maintain a smooth frame rate. The Ally also supports AMD's FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) technology, which can boost performance by upscaling the resolution. Overall, the ROG Ally offers impressive performance for a handheld gaming device. It's capable of running most modern games at playable frame rates, making it a great option for gamers on the go. The combination of the Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, 16GB of RAM, and fast SSD storage ensures a smooth and responsive gaming experience. While it may not be able to match the performance of a high-end gaming PC, it's certainly one of the most powerful handhelds on the market.

ASUS ROG Ally X

The ROG Ally X is expected to feature an upgraded processor, potentially the next generation of AMD Ryzen APUs. This new chip would offer even more processing power and improved graphics performance. The Ally X is also rumored to come with more RAM, possibly up to 32GB, which would further enhance multitasking and allow for smoother performance in demanding games. The storage capacity is also likely to be increased, with options for 1TB or even 2TB SSDs. This would provide ample space for storing a large library of games. In terms of performance improvements, the ROG Ally X is expected to offer a significant boost over the original Ally. The upgraded processor and more RAM should allow for higher frame rates and better graphics settings in games. The Ally X is also likely to support the latest version of AMD's FSR technology, which would further enhance performance. Overall, the ROG Ally X is shaping up to be a performance powerhouse. It's expected to be one of the most powerful handheld gaming devices on the market, capable of running even the most demanding games at high settings. The combination of the upgraded processor, more RAM, and faster storage will ensure a smooth and responsive gaming experience. For gamers who demand the best possible performance, the ROG Ally X is likely to be the top choice.

Battery Life

Ah, battery life – the bane of every mobile gamer's existence. Let's be real, no one wants their gaming session cut short by a dead battery. So, how do the ROG Ally and ROG Ally X stack up in this crucial department?

ASUS ROG Ally

The ASUS ROG Ally's battery life is one of its main drawbacks. The device is equipped with a 40Wh battery, which provides decent battery life for light tasks such as web browsing and video playback. However, when it comes to gaming, the battery life is significantly shorter. Depending on the game and settings, you can expect to get anywhere from one to two hours of gameplay on a single charge. More demanding games will drain the battery even faster. The Ally also supports fast charging, which allows you to quickly recharge the battery when it's low. However, even with fast charging, it can still take a while to fully recharge the battery. Overall, the ROG Ally's battery life is a compromise. While it's sufficient for short gaming sessions, it's not ideal for long trips or extended gameplay. If you plan on gaming for extended periods, you'll need to carry a power bank or stay close to a power outlet. The battery life is a common complaint among ROG Ally users, and it's something that ASUS needs to address in future iterations of the device. Despite the short battery life, the ROG Ally's performance and portability make it a compelling option for gamers on the go. However, if battery life is a top priority, you may want to consider other handheld gaming devices.

ASUS ROG Ally X

One of the most anticipated upgrades in the ROG Ally X is improved battery life. ASUS has reportedly listened to user feedback and is planning to equip the Ally X with a larger battery. The exact capacity is still unknown, but rumors suggest it could be as large as 80Wh. This would be a significant increase over the original Ally's 40Wh battery, potentially doubling the battery life. With a larger battery, the Ally X would be able to provide significantly longer gaming sessions on a single charge. This would be a major improvement for gamers who want to play on the go without having to worry about running out of power. The Ally X is also likely to feature improved power management, which would further extend battery life. This could include optimizations to the operating system and hardware that reduce power consumption. Overall, the ROG Ally X is shaping up to be a significant improvement in terms of battery life. The larger battery and improved power management should allow for much longer gaming sessions, making it a more appealing option for gamers who value portability and convenience. If battery life is a major concern, the ROG Ally X is definitely worth considering.

Storage

Storage is another critical factor, especially if you're planning to load up your handheld with a bunch of games. Nobody wants to constantly uninstall and reinstall games to make space, right? Let's see how these two stack up.

ASUS ROG Ally

The ASUS ROG Ally comes with a 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD, which provides fast storage speeds and ample space for games and applications. The fast storage speeds contribute to quick boot times and game loading. However, 512GB may not be enough for some users, especially those who like to have a large library of games installed. Fortunately, the Ally also features a microSD card slot, which allows you to expand the storage capacity. You can use a microSD card to store additional games, movies, and other files. The microSD card slot supports cards up to 1TB in size, giving you plenty of extra storage. Overall, the ROG Ally offers a decent amount of storage with the option to expand it further. The 512GB SSD is sufficient for most users, and the microSD card slot provides added flexibility. However, if you plan on installing a lot of large games, you may want to consider upgrading the SSD or using a high-capacity microSD card. The storage solution on the ROG Ally is a good balance of speed and capacity, making it a versatile option for gamers on the go.

ASUS ROG Ally X

The ROG Ally X is expected to offer more storage options than the original Ally. While the base model is likely to come with a 512GB SSD, there are rumors of a 1TB or even 2TB option. This would provide ample space for storing a large library of games without having to rely on microSD cards. The Ally X is also likely to feature the same microSD card slot as the original Ally, allowing you to further expand the storage capacity. In addition to more storage space, the ROG Ally X may also feature faster storage speeds. The device could use a PCIe Gen5 SSD, which would offer significantly faster read and write speeds than the PCIe Gen4 SSD in the original Ally. This would result in even quicker boot times and game loading. Overall, the ROG Ally X is shaping up to be a significant upgrade in terms of storage. The larger storage options and faster storage speeds will make it a more appealing option for gamers who want to have a large library of games installed and want to experience the fastest possible loading times.

Conclusion

So, there you have it, a detailed comparison of the ASUS ROG Ally and the upcoming ROG Ally X! While the original ROG Ally is a solid handheld gaming device, the ROG Ally X promises to address some of its shortcomings with improved ergonomics, potentially better display, upgraded performance, longer battery life, and more storage. If you're in the market for a new handheld, keep an eye on the ROG Ally X – it could be a game-changer! Whether the ROG Ally X is worth the upgrade depends on your individual needs and budget. If you're happy with the performance and battery life of the original Ally, you may not need to upgrade. However, if you're looking for the best possible handheld gaming experience, the ROG Ally X is definitely worth considering. Happy gaming, everyone!