ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X (RC73XA-NH011W) review
Best for: Game Pass plus every PC store ยท Premium
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Pros
- Fast Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme with 24 GB memory
- 120 Hz Full HD screen
- 80 Wh battery
- Works with Xbox, Steam, Epic and Battle.net
Cons
- Heavy at 715 g
- Windows can feel clumsy on a small screen
- Light-gaming battery figure is not typical for demanding games
Full review
The ROG Xbox Ally X is the most powerful handheld in this group, built by ASUS with Xbox's involvement. It runs Windows 11 Home but starts in an Xbox full-screen interface, so it feels more like a console than a laptop while still letting you install games from Steam, Epic Games and Battle.net.
The specification is strong. ASUS lists an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24 GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1 TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, which can be swapped for a larger standard M.2 2280 drive. The 7-inch IPS touchscreen is Full HD at 120 Hz with 500 nits of brightness. There is a UHS-II microSD slot, two USB-C ports with DisplayPort 2.1, and a 3.5 mm audio jack.
The 80 Wh battery is the largest here, with up to 9.9 hours quoted for light gaming. That figure will fall sharply in demanding games, so keep the charger handy. The price of all this is weight: at 715 g it is heavier than Steam Deck OLED and much heavier than a Switch 2.
Three months of Xbox Game Pass are included, with cloud streaming in beta. It suits people who want one device for Game Pass and several PC stores, and who accept the usual Windows rough edges.
Full specifications
| Type | Handheld gaming PC (Windows 11) |
|---|---|
| Built-in storage | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD |
| Storage expansion | UHS-II microSD slot; M.2 2280 SSD can be swapped |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 built-in screen |
| Max frame rate | Screen up to 120 Hz |
| Disc / game media | None (handheld, digital downloads) |
| Backward compatibility | Not applicable: runs Windows PC games |
| Subscription ecosystem | Xbox Game Pass optional (3 months included) |
| Game library / stores | Xbox app, Steam, Epic Games, Battle.net |
| Built-in screen | 7-inch IPS touchscreen, 500 nits |
| Battery | 80 Wh, up to 9.9 hours (light gaming) |
| Weight | 715 g |
| Model number | RC73XA-NH011W |
| Processor | AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme |
| Memory | 24 GB LPDDR5X |
| Ports | 2 x USB-C (USB4 and USB 3.2 Gen 2), 3.5 mm audio jack |
| Dimensions | 29.0 x 12.1 x 2.75 to 5.09 cm |
Spec check note: ASUS lists no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth standard on the pages we saw, so these are omitted. The 9.9 hour battery figure is ASUS's claim for light gaming.
Specifications checked against: ASUS UK ROG Xbox Ally X specifications, ASUS UK ROG Xbox Ally X overview
How it compares with its rivals
| Feature | ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X (RC73XA-NH011W) | Sony PlayStation 5 Pro (CFI-7021) | Sony PlayStation 5 Digital Edition (slim, CFI-2100 group) | Microsoft Xbox Series X (1 TB) | Nintendo Switch 2 | Valve Steam Deck OLED |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Game Pass plus every PC store | Owners of a 4K or 120 Hz TV | A first PlayStation, downloads only | Game Pass and old Xbox games | Families and gaming on the go | Big Steam libraries on the go |
| Price band | Premium | Premium | Mid-range | Upper mid-range | Mid-range | Upper mid-range |
| Type | Handheld gaming PC (Windows 11) | Home console | Home console | Home console | Hybrid handheld and home console | Handheld gaming PC |
| Built-in storage | 1 TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD | 2 TB SSD | 825 GB SSD | 1 TB custom NVMe SSD (2 TB special edition) | 256 GB (UFS) | 512 GB or 1 TB NVMe SSD |
| Storage expansion | UHS-II microSD slot; M.2 2280 SSD can be swapped | Not stated | Not stated | Storage Expansion Card or USB 3.1 external HDD | microSD Express cards up to 2 TB | microSD card slot |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 built-in screen | 4K output, with AI upscaling (PSSR) in enhanced games | 4K with HDR in compatible games | True 4K, HDR up to 8K | 1920 x 1080 handheld; up to 4K in TV mode | 1280 x 800 built-in screen |
| Max frame rate | Screen up to 120 Hz | 60 fps, up to 120 fps in compatible games | Not stated | Up to 120 fps (needs supported game and display) | Up to 120 fps (1080p or 1440p); 4K at 60 fps in TV mode | Screen up to 90 Hz |
| Disc / game media | None (handheld, digital downloads) | No disc drive included (disc drive sold separately) | No disc drive (optional drive sold separately) | 4K UHD Blu-ray drive (Carbon Black); All-Digital model has none | Game cards (Switch 2 and original Switch) | None (digital downloads) |
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