The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally arrives promising the raw power of AMD’s latest silicon and library access of a Windows 11 gaming PC, shrunk down into a comfortable handheld. The ASUS Republic of Gamers and Microsoft’s Xbox have teamed up to deliver a device that feels like a natural extension of an Xbox controller, immediately solving the ergonomics problem that plagues its rivals. However, the ROG Xbox Ally’s hardware is constantly at odds with its software. Is this partnership a monster gaming system, or is it merely a powerful handheld that forces you to deal with the familiar headaches of Windows?
Design and Ergonomics: Comfort Perfected
This is the most comfortable gaming handheld on the market. ASUS clearly took cues from the Xbox controller design, and those deeper, sculpted grips make the ROG Xbox Ally an absolute joy to clutch. The button placement is perfect, delivering killer ergonomics that feel instantly familiar if you’ve ever owned a modern Xbox console.
Physical Design Excellence
Xbox-Inspired Grips
Deeper, sculpted grips modeled after Xbox controllers provide superior comfort during extended gaming sessions
Perfect Button Placement
Buttons and controls positioned exactly where your thumbs expect them, designed for thumbsticks and face buttons, torture-tested to millions of presses
Balanced Weight Distribution
While physically a bit chunkier than the Nintendo Switch or a foldable phone with telescopic controller, the near-perfect weight distribution allows for extended gaming without hand fatigue
Prominent Xbox Button
Bright, easily accessible Xbox button provides instant access to the Game Bar overlay for quick settings and controls
The Comfort Advantage
The excellent tactile experience is unmatched in the handheld gaming space. ASUS has definitively solved the ergonomics challenge that competitors continue to struggle with, making the ROG Xbox Ally the clear winner for physical comfort.
Hardware Specifications: AMD Ryzen Z2 A Performance
ASUS has kitted the ROG Xbox Ally out with the latest AMD silicon. Under the hood, you get an AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor with four cores and eight threads, alongside AMD Radeon graphics.
Technical Specifications
Processor
AMD Ryzen Z2 A
- 4 cores / 8 threads
- Tuned for efficient low-power operation
- 5-15W TDP in efficient mode
Graphics
AMD Radeon Graphics
Integrated GPU capable of handling modern AAA titles at handheld resolution
Battery
60Wh Capacity
Combined with efficient silicon, hints at excellent battery life—though real-world usage tells a different story
Performance Modes: The Power Reality
While the chip is tuned for an incredibly efficient, low-power state of 5 to 15 watts TDP, which, combined with the 60Wh battery, hints at excellent battery life, you’ll soon realize you need to blow past that floor to do any meaningful local gaming.
Real-World Power Consumption
In our testing, the ROG Xbox Ally almost always operated between 20 to 30 watts on most modern games. Particularly demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 needed to sit near the 30-watt Turbo Mode ceiling just to ensure stable gameplay.
Silent Mode (5W)
Power Draw: ~5 watts
Gaming Performance: ❌ Not viable
Best For:
- Web browsing
- Video streaming
- Game downloads
- Basic productivity tasks
Reality Check: There are simply no quality 3D games that run at around six watts in Silent Mode.
Performance Mode (15W)
Power Draw: ~15 watts
Gaming Performance: ⚠️ Limited
Best For:
- Older titles
- Indie games
- Less demanding 2D games
- Casual gaming sessions
Trade-off: A balance between performance and battery life, suitable for less demanding titles only.
Turbo Mode (30W)
Power Draw: 20-30 watts
Gaming Performance: ✅ Required for modern AAA titles
Best For:
- AAA games
- Demanding titles like Assassin’s Creed Mirage
- High frame-rate gaming
- Stable, smooth gameplay
The Reality: Enables high-frame-rate, stable gaming but increases heat and fan noise. Most modern games require operating near this ceiling.
Battery Life: Expectations vs. Reality
While AMD’s efficient silicon and the 60Wh battery suggest excellent endurance, real-world gaming primarily occurs in the 20-30W range. This means battery life during actual gaming sessions is significantly shorter than the specifications might suggest.
Windows 11: The Double-Edged Sword
The ROG Xbox Ally was made a big deal of because it ships with a special Xbox edition of Windows, complete with a handheld-friendly user interface meant to challenge the brilliance and simplicity of Valve’s SteamOS for the Steam Deck. The moment you boot the device, you are immediately reminded of its greatest strength: Despite its handheld design, it’s a full Windows 11 personal computer.
The Windows Advantage
Open Ecosystem Access
Dedicated consoles are locked to one store; this handheld is not—and it’s a win for any PC gamer. Access your entire game library across:
- Steam
- Xbox Game Pass
- Epic Games Store
- GOG
- EA App (Origin)
- Ubisoft Connect
- Any PC game launcher or standalone title
Full PC Functionality
It’s still a full Windows 11 PC deep down. When the game stops and the work starts, you can:
- Tap through the touchscreen for navigation
- Connect a Bluetooth or USB-C keyboard and mouse for a true desktop experience
- Use productivity software, browsers, and applications
- Connect external displays for expanded workspace
Multiplayer Flexibility
For couch co-op, connect an external wireless controller to play multiplayer titles on the same screen, turning your handheld into a portable gaming console for two players.
The Setup and Software Complexity
The initial setup, which requires navigating multiple updates and downloading various launchers, is simply the admission price for this open ecosystem. This is where the ROG Xbox Ally diverges from plug-and-play competitors:
- Multiple System Updates: Windows updates, driver updates, and firmware updates required on first boot
- Launcher Management: Installing and configuring multiple game store clients
- Settings Optimization: Tweaking graphics settings, power profiles, and performance modes for each game
- Windows Quirks: Dealing with Windows UI elements not optimized for handheld use
The Handheld-Friendly Interface
The ROG Xbox Ally ships with a special Xbox edition of Windows, complete with a handheld-friendly user interface meant to challenge the brilliance and simplicity of Valve’s SteamOS for the Steam Deck.
Does It Succeed?
While ASUS and Microsoft have made efforts to optimize the interface for handheld use, the experience still falls short of the seamless, console-like simplicity of SteamOS. The Xbox Game Bar provides quick access to settings and controls, but navigating Windows with thumbsticks and face buttons remains less intuitive than competitors’ purpose-built interfaces.
What Works
- Xbox Game Bar integration for quick settings
- Prominent Xbox button for overlay access
- Handheld-optimized launcher experience
- Touch screen support for detailed navigation
What Needs Work
- Some Windows UI elements remain thumb-unfriendly
- Not as seamless as dedicated gaming OS experiences
- Requires more manual intervention than consoles
- Software updates can disrupt gaming sessions
Who Should Buy the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally?
The ROG Xbox Ally offers a compelling option for gamers seeking a portable experience, bridging the gap between console-quality graphics and on-the-go play. The device’s reliance on Windows 11 provides access to a vast library of games, but also introduces potential software-related challenges.
Ideal For
- PC Gamers: Those with extensive Steam, Epic, or Game Pass libraries who want portable access
- Tinkerers: Gamers who enjoy optimizing settings and don’t mind troubleshooting
- Ergonomics Priority: Anyone who values comfort during extended gaming sessions
- Multi-Store Users: Players who want access to multiple game launchers and stores
- Productivity Needs: Those wanting a device that doubles as a portable Windows PC
Not Ideal For
- Simplicity Seekers: Those wanting plug-and-play console simplicity
- Battery Life Priority: Gamers expecting all-day battery life with AAA titles
- First-Time PC Gamers: Those unfamiliar with Windows gaming and its complexities
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: At P36,995, this is a premium device with premium pricing
Key Considerations Before Purchase
The Verdict
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally isn’t a simple plug-and-play machine like its rivals. You’re holding a fully featured Windows 11 gaming PC in a handheld form factor—and that’s its ultimate strength and its core compromise.
What ASUS Got Right
ASUS nailed the hardware, no doubt. The ergonomics are, without question, best-in-class; the display is fast and reasonably crisp; and the AMD Ryzen Z2 A silicon inside can handle demanding games when pushed to its limits.
The Central Compromise
The hardware excellence is constantly at odds with the software experience. Windows 11, despite optimizations, brings inherent complexity that prevents the ROG Xbox Ally from achieving the seamless, pick-up-and-play experience of dedicated gaming handhelds.
Bottom Line
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally is a powerful, comfortable Windows gaming handheld that rewards those willing to invest time in setup and optimization. Its best-in-class ergonomics and access to the entire PC gaming ecosystem make it a compelling choice for PC gamers seeking portability. However, if you prioritize simplicity, battery life, or console-like ease of use, the Windows foundation may prove more frustrating than freeing.
Price: P36,995 (Premium pricing for premium features)
Key Takeaways
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally represents the best hardware design in handheld gaming—period. Its Xbox-inspired ergonomics with sculpted grips and perfect button placement deliver unmatched comfort during extended sessions, definitively solving the physical design challenges competitors struggle with. Under the hood, AMD’s Ryzen Z2 A processor with Radeon graphics handles modern AAA titles, but real-world gaming requires 20-30W power consumption (Turbo Mode) rather than the efficient 5-15W range, significantly impacting battery life expectations. The full Windows 11 implementation is simultaneously the device’s greatest strength and most significant weakness: it provides unprecedented access to every PC game store and launcher plus full desktop functionality, but demands tolerance for setup complexity, software updates, and manual optimization that console-simple competitors avoid. At P36,995, the ROG Xbox Ally is positioned as a premium device ideal for PC gamers who value ergonomics, open ecosystems, and don’t mind tweaking settings—but it’s definitively not for those seeking plug-and-play simplicity or all-day battery life with demanding titles. The hardware is phenomenal; the Windows experience remains the compromise you must accept for that PC gaming flexibility.