I just tested the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 — 3 reasons I’d buy it and 2 reasons I’d skip

The Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 is a gaming handheld that primarily serves as a cosmetic upgrade to the Xbox Ally X, maintaining the same internal components. Given its high price tag of $1,299, some may choose to skip it. However, the design upgrades make it an appealing portable console for certain individuals. In this report, I will outline the key reasons to consider purchasing the ROG Xbox Ally X20, as well as the top reasons to skip it.

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 boasts an impressive OLED panel, a significant improvement over previous models. This feature is undoubtedly the main factor that draws attention to the X20, and it undoubtedly enhances the gaming experience. Playing games such as Forza Horizon 6 on the X20's 7.4-inch 1080p display with its 120Hz refresh rate demonstrated the exceptional brightness and bold colors that the OLED panel provides.

The smooth 120Hz refresh rate ensures that even the most intense races appear buttery smooth, making it one of the best gaming handheld displays available today.

Another significant aspect of the ROG Xbox Ally X20 is its improved ergonomics. The original Xbox Ally already had comfortable hand grips and weight distribution, inspired by the Xbox controller. Asus took this already strong feature and enhanced it further by adding rubberized grips, which make it easier to hold during extended gaming sessions. The rubber grips are a welcome addition, as few gaming handhelds feature them, making their inclusion particularly appreciated.

Additionally, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 offers a refined hardware design. The TMR joysticks function smoothly, providing a more enjoyable gaming experience. The shoulder buttons feel more tactile, and the rounded face buttons add a pleasant touch. The D-Pad can be rotated, acting as either a 4-way D-Pad for side-scrolling games or an 8-way D-Pad for fighting games. These minor design changes make a considerable difference and contribute to the overall improved gaming experience.

On the other hand, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 comes with a steep price tag of $1,299, which is considerably higher than its predecessor, the Xbox Ally X, which cost $999. While the higher price is not an uncommon occurrence in the gaming handheld market, as evidenced by the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ with its larger 8-inch display and 32GB of RAM, priced at $1,799. Nevertheless, this price difference highlights the fact that the halcyon days of affordable Windows handhelds, starting at $599, are long gone.

In terms of performance, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 shares the same AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme chip and 24GB of RAM as the Xbox Ally X. Consequently, the performance is similar, with both having their strengths and weaknesses. Games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider showcased varying performance levels on the X20, ranging from 10 to 48.8 frames per second.

Although the X20 can't match the performance of the Intel Arc G3-powered MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, it still provides a reasonable gaming experience when settings are optimized accordingly.

In conclusion, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 offers several upgrades that make it an attractive option for certain gamers, such as its stunning OLED panel and improved ergonomics. However, the high price point and lack of significant performance improvements over previous models make it challenging to recommend to everyone. If exceptional image quality is a top priority, then the X20 may be worth the investment.