The ASUS ROG Ally, once a plucky underdog nipping at the heels of established handheld gaming giants, is now a mature platform thanks to a steady stream of updates. The latest drop, arriving this week, focuses on refining the Xbox experience, promising smoother gameplay and better integration for both the original ROG Ally and its beefier sibling, the ROG Ally X.
These aren’t just incremental tweaks; ASUS is delivering meaningful improvements under the hood. So, what exactly does this “big week” of updates bring to the table?
At the heart of the update is Armoury Crate SE, ASUS‘s command center for the ROG Ally. Version 2.1.15.0 introduces several key enhancements:
- CPU Core Control (Ally X Only): Gamers can now fine-tune CPU performance by managing P-cores and E-cores, offering granular control over power and performance.
- Customizable Fullscreen Toggle: Key bindings now allow users to instantly enter or exit fullscreen mode, streamlining the gaming experience.
- Update Notifications: Stay informed about the latest updates directly within Command Center.
- Radeon Chill Integration: AMD’s Radeon Chill technology is now baked into the FPS Limiter, optimizing power consumption without sacrificing smoothness.
- Refined FPS Limiter: The 45 FPS option has been adjusted to 40 FPS, better aligning with the device’s 120Hz panel for smoother visuals.
- Windows Power Mode Options: Direct access to Windows Power Mode settings within Manual Operating Mode.
Beyond these features, ASUS has also tweaked the gyro aiming algorithm for enhanced precision and squashed several bugs, including improvements to the online update process and Wi-Fi captive portal support.
The ROG Ally isn’t just about software tweaks; ASUS is also pushing out crucial BIOS and firmware updates. For the original ROG Xbox Ally (RC73YA):
- MCU 322: Adds a debug interface for developers.
- BIOS 315: Improves power consumption in Modern Standby, optimizes the BIOS update flow, and fixes a Cloud Recovery bug.
- Power Delivery Firmware V10.1.2.27: Further refinements to power consumption in Modern Standby.
- AMD GPU Driver V25.10.25.27: Boosts overall gaming performance and resolves an audio issue related to Auto Super Resolution.
Meanwhile, the ROG Xbox Ally X (RC73XA) receives similar attention:
- MCU 321: Improves haptics for Impulse Triggers, adding a layer of immersion.
- BIOS 312: Optimizes the BIOS update flow and enhances the Cloud Recovery user experience.
- Touch Panel Firmware V09: Overall stability improvements.
- Power Delivery Firmware V10.1.2.15: Improved firmware stability.
- AMD GPU Driver V25.10.25.27: Same gaming performance boost and audio fix as the original Ally.
- AMD Chipset Driver V7.03.26.2151: Overall system performance improvement.
ASUS’s commitment to continuous improvement is a breath of fresh air in the handheld gaming space. While the initial ROG Ally launch had its share of growing pains, these consistent updates demonstrate a long-term vision. As Microsoft teases new features on the way to the ROG Xbox Ally in late 2025 and early 2026, the future looks bright for ROG Ally owners. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a newcomer to the world of handheld PCs, these updates solidify the ROG Ally’s position as a serious contender.
The ROG Ally continues to evolve, transforming from a promising piece of hardware into a truly compelling gaming platform. It’s a testament to the power of iterative improvement and a clear signal that ASUS is listening to its community.
