The wait is over! The ASUS ROG Ally X, the handheld PC challenger to the Steam Deck and successor to the original ROG Ally, has officially arrived at Computex 2024 in Taiwan.

(Update, August 23: The ASUS ROG Ally X is now available in the Philippines!)

True to the leaks, the revamped portable PC promises a massive upgrade in battery life, doubling the capacity of its predecessor. That’s not all. ASUS has crammed a full-sized 1TB SSD and a whopping 24GB of LPDDR5 RAM into a brand-new, supposedly more comfortable shell.

Priced at $799, or roughly P46,755 converted, and available for preorder today, June 2, the ROG Ally X positions itself as a serious contender in the portable gaming arena. Shipping is expected to start by July. You might recall that the base variant of the original Ally sold for P39,995 ($683) in the Philippines when it hit stores last year.

Under the hood, things are a little too familiar. The core remains the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU powering a familiar 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The significant RAM bump to 24GB should aid in smoother performance for demanding PC titles, but frame-rate gains likely won’t be groundbreaking compared to the original Ally. Not that the Ally X is lacking in the performance department; the original model already surpassed the Steam Deck OLED in terms of raw power.

The massive 80Wh battery, on the other hand, promises to significantly extend playtime compared to the original’s meager two-hour offering and makes the ASUS ROG Ally X a compelling option for PC gamers on the go.

Meet the new #ROGAllyX 😍
✅ Improved ergonomics
✅ Double the battery
✅ Larger 1TB M.2 2280 storage
✅ Faster 24GB LPDDR5X RAM
✅ US$799

Available for pre-orders now!
Learn more👉https://t.co/COigmrnVjc pic.twitter.com/DllriG9Irx

— ROG Global (@ASUS_ROG) June 2, 2024

ASUS ROG Ally X at a glance

At first glance, you might mistake the device for its predecessor in a new black paint job. Look closer, however, and you’ll find subtle ergonomic tweaks. Internally, the switch to a full-sized 1TB SSD necessitates a rearranged layout. This opens up exciting possibilities for storage upgrades, as you won’t be limited to specific smaller form-factor SSDs and can freely choose from the best options for gaming.

The design refresh isn’t revolutionary, but ASUS has implemented clever improvements to keep the unit’s weight in check. The fans are now 23% smaller overall, with blades half as thick, resulting in a 10% increase in airflow. This should keep the Ally X cool during extended gaming sessions.

The shell itself also introduces numerous ergonomic changes that benefit the user experience. The D-pad has been redesigned for more precise inputs, and the thumbsticks have been slightly repositioned for better ergonomics. The back buttons are now smaller, too.

Curiously, ASUS’ proprietary XG Mobile connector has been omitted, with the OEM opting for a second USB-C port on the ROG Ally X. While the allure of pairing the device with an external graphics card for a hybrid rig is undeniable, those seeking such functionality will have to stick with the original Ally. The upside? The extra port eliminates the immediate need for a separate dock like the Steam Deck’s, allowing for easy connection of peripherals and monitors while keeping the device charged.

ASUS ROG Ally X specs

• 7-inch IPS display, FHD resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 16:9 aspect ratio
• ABXY face buttons, shoulder triggers, LR joysticks, D-pad
• AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU
• 12 RDNA3 CUs, up to 2.7GHz GPU, 8.6 TFLOP
• Up to 24GB LPDDR5X RAM
• Up to 1TB M.2 2280 NVMe PCIe SSD
• 1x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, and microphone + headphone jack
• microSD card slot
• 80Wh battery
• Microsoft Windows 11 Home
• Color: black

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