The build-up of anticipation for the next Asus ROG Ally model has been steady since its release, with everyone pretty much expecting at least a year gap for the new model. Lo and behold, the ROG Ally X is finally unveiled. But alas, this simply isn’t the fresh successor people were hoping for.
ROG Ally Launch Recap
The original 2023 ROG Ally was Asus' first foray into the handheld gaming PC market. It mainly featured AMD’s Ryzen Z1 Extreme chip, pumped into a vibrant 7-inch 120Hz IPS display supporting Freesync Premium.
The device certainly made headlines, and received positive reviews. However, a good number of users felt they wanted more battery life and storage options. It also had a few weird design quirks that affected its overall reception, such as the position of the microSD slot being very prone to damage due to exhaust ventilation.
ROG Ally X: Not the Expected Sequel
Seemingly addressing these concerns straight on, Asus is promising several upgrades in the ROG Ally X. One of the most significant changes is its larger battery. It was hinted that the battery improvement will be substantially more than a mere one-third increase, which by itself already answers much of the longevity concerns of the original.
In addition, the ROG Ally X will also feature increased RAM, going well beyond the original 16GB capacity. Storage options will also be improved, with the M.2 2230 slot being replaced by the more common M.2 2280 slot, making it more universal. Asus has also hinted at the inclusion of additional ports, possibly adding a second USB-C port to the device.
To address the weird design quirks, the microSD slot will also be repositioned away from the direction of the exhaust heat. The joysticks are also made to be far more interchangeable this time. Oh and, the updated version can also come in black as well, in case you are wondering.
Software improvements are also on the horizon, with Asus upgrading its Armory Crate SE software to version 1.5. While available for the ROG Ally X by default, it will eventually make its way to the original ROG Ally in the very near future.
Comparison to Steam’s Similar Update
Asus' decision to develop the ROG Ally X bears some similarities to Valve's release of the Steam Deck OLED, released just roughly half a year ago. Both products are updated versions focusing on improving the user experience by addressing user feedback and incorporating new features.
However, there are some notable differences. While the Steam Deck OLED primarily focused on upgrading the display technology and improving battery life, the ROG Ally X seems to be addressing a wider range of user concerns, including storage options, memory, and the positioning of the microSD slot.
In exchange, however, the ROG Ally X also bumped its price up. Steam Deck OLED, meanwhile, replaced the original model at the same price point.
Bigger News Await
All information revealed so far were only teasers, and more of the actual, technical information of the ROG Ally X is still yet to be revealed on June 2nd (which would also be its launch date). Quite a letdown I know, and the comment section of that very brief seven-minute “livestream” definitely made sure to voice out how they were absolutely bummed out about the video.
But hey, at least we know that the feedback and concerns were definitely heard by Asus, and that direct efforts were made to address them. Fingers crossed for next month!
