Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 Review

Last year, Asus and Xbox collaborated to release the Asus ROG Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X, with the latter being one of the best handheld gaming PCs available. Despite not experiencing any price increase due to the RAMpocalypse, the Xbox Ally X remains at $999, matching its October 2025 launch price. Although the Xbox Ally X boasts an impressive display, it has been surpassed by devices like the Lenovo Legion Go 2 and MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, which are more expensive.

In response to the 20th anniversary of ROG, Asus has updated the Xbox Ally X, introducing the Xbox Ally X20 with an OLED display and a new chassis. Although the price has risen to $1,299, the additional $300 is deemed worthwhile for those who can afford it. The Xbox Ally X20 retains the same AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor, 24GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD as its predecessor, meaning performance remains largely unchanged.

In Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p High settings with FSR set to Quality, the Xbox Ally X20 achieves 42 fps, compared to 43 fps from the Xbox Ally X. In 3DMark's Steel Nomad test, the X20 scores 598 points, closely matching the original Xbox Ally X's 602 points. Time Spy performance also follows suit, with the X20 scoring 4,030 points, similar to the previous model's 4,016 points.

Despite the OLED display being slightly more efficient than traditional LCD screens, the Xbox Ally X20's battery life is marginally improved, lasting 2 hours and 43 minutes in Cyberpunk 2077 with stock settings, outperforming the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+'s 2 hours and 14 minutes and the Xbox Ally X's 2 hours and 34 minutes. While the upgraded AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip and new TMR sensors do enhance the controller feel, they may not be immediately noticeable during regular use.

However, the improved OLED display significantly enhances the gaming experience, making it easier to view content in dark scenes and vivid colors, leading to a more enjoyable gaming session.