Asus Rog Ally X Revealed & It’s Coming to South Africa

Asus’ Rog Ally portable gaming system is getting an upgraded version in the form of the Ally X, and it’s set for a South African launch.

The Asus Rog Ally X is an updated version of the Rog Ally that launched in 2023 (you can check out our Asus Rog Ally review here). The new model adds numerous hardware improvements, including upgraded storage, memory, battery, and joysticks, elevating Windows handheld gaming to new heights.

Designed for Windows 11 gaming on the go, the ROG Ally X features the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme processor, but adds a new 1 TB SSD, ensuring users have room for all their games, up from 512 GB on the original Ally. In addition, the ROG Ally X uses a redesigned motherboard featuring an M.2 2280 form factor slot, allowing users to more easily upgrade their storage to larger drives than previously possible.

Accompanying this storage upgrade is 24 GB of DDR5-7500 RAM for more flexibility. As an APU, the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme shares its video RAM with the device’s system RAM. With modern games using more VRAM for high-resolution, lifelike textures, 24 GB of system memory allows users to allocate more memory to both the system and the GPU for better performance in the next generation of AAA titles.

Finally, the ROG Ally X has also been outfitted with an 80 Wh battery, double the capacity of the previous model, so users can game longer away from the wall. And despite a sizeable improvement in battery life, the ROG Ally X only weighs 70 grams more than the original ROG Ally, with the weight distribution perfectly centred where the gamer’s thumb and forefinger lie while gripping the device. This keeps it feeling lighter than its 678 g weight would imply, ensuring comfortable play and portability for all.

The ROG Ally X also features a redesigned chassis in a brand-new black colourway, with slightly deeper handles and a more rounded shape for improved comfort, without adding much thickness to the device. The buttons and sticks are arranged in a slightly more ergonomic angle, with a slant to the triggers that makes them easier to press. The macro buttons on the back are also smaller, to reduce accidental presses while keeping them easily accessible.

The joysticks have been replaced with new, more durable modules rated for a 5-million-cycle lifespan, with stiffer springs for a more familiar response curve to longtime controller gamers. The D-Pad has been similarly improved, with more precise eight-direction input for fighting and retro games.

Users overwhelmingly requested more universal I/O, so the original XG Mobile port has been replaced with two USB-C ports on the ROG Ally X, one of which is Thunderbolt-compatible for wide interoperability with third-party docks and external GPUs.

To accommodate the new battery, the ROG Ally X features new fans that are 23% smaller, but utilize 50% thinner fan blades to improve airflow. Two new tunnels in the fan housing direct air up and out toward an additional, third exhaust vent on the upper edge of the ROG Ally X. This new thermal solution provides 24% more air volume to be pushed through the device, cooling not only the internal components but also the touch screen, which measures up to 6°C cooler for more comfortable long-term usage.

Availability & Pricing

The Asus ROG Ally X will be available to preorder in South Africa from 27 June 2024, with final retail pricing to be confirmed.