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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallThe original 2023 ROG Ally became more usable after launch, but the updates did not solve its biggest problems: short battery life and the friction of running Windows 11 on a handheld. In the reviewer’s follow-up tests, battery savings came with lower frame rates in some configurations. That makes the update a modest improvement—not a fix, and not a reason to confuse the original Ally with the redesigned Ally X.
Which ROG Ally does this review cover?
This is an updated look at the original ROG Ally, which went on sale on June 13, 2023—not a review of every later product carrying the Ally name. Asus’s 2023 ROG Ally has a 40 Wh battery. The 2024 ROG Ally X is a separate hardware redesign with an 80 Wh battery. Asus also lists the 2025 ROG Xbox Ally and ROG Xbox Ally X as distinct products.
The follow-up account describes changes to software and firmware, plus a replacement or retail unit that did not reproduce the sticky ABXY-button problem found on the reviewer’s early sample. Those observations do not establish that every launch unit had the fault or that a universal hardware repair took place. The updated-review findings are reported by Technicalon’s reproduction of the review.
Armoury Crate improved, but Windows still feels like Windows
Asus’s Armoury Crate SE gives the Ally a handheld-oriented game library, a command center for quick settings, performance controls, and button customization. It can gather games from services such as Steam, Xbox Game Pass, Epic, and GOG, and makes tasks such as changing a power mode or remapping controls easier to reach. Asus describes these capabilities on its ROG Ally product page.
That shell does not replace the operating system beneath it. Windows 11 still brings desktop menus, launcher sign-ins, update prompts, overlays, and controls designed for a mouse and keyboard. On a seven-inch touchscreen, even routine setup or troubleshooting can mean tapping small targets or calling up the virtual keyboard. Armoury Crate makes the Ally more manageable; it does not give it the cohesive, controller-first feel of SteamOS.
#1 Best Overall
- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 512GB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
Usability also depends on more than one app version. BIOS and firmware changes, Windows updates, graphics drivers, game launchers, and individual games can affect controls and power behavior independently. The Ally remains a PC handheld for buyers willing to navigate that stack, rather than a console appliance that hides it.
Controls: a better sample, not proof of a universal fix
The reviewer’s replacement or retail unit no longer showed the sticky ABXY buttons that had affected the early sample. That is encouraging for that unit, but it should not be read as evidence that Asus redesigned or repaired every original Ally.
Other controls still matter to the experience. The D-pad, analog-stick response and dead zones, rear macro buttons, touchscreen, and virtual keyboard each play a role depending on the game and whether the user is navigating Windows. The Ally lacks the Steam Deck’s trackpads, which makes desktop navigation and some older PC games less convenient without a touchscreen, mouse, or other input device. Touch controls help, but they do not make every desktop interface comfortable to use.
MicroSD behavior should also be considered at the level of a particular device, card, and use case; the available evidence does not support treating every original Ally’s card slot as defective. For internal storage, Asus lists a replaceable M.2 2230 SSD as well as microSD expansion on the original model’s product page.
Battery life improved by minutes, with a performance trade-off
In the updated review’s tests, the Ally lasted 14 minutes longer in Dirt Rally and 12 minutes longer in Elden Ring, while drawing about 1–4 W less depending on the game. The same review reported frame rates falling by as much as 20% in some cases after BIOS changes. These are the reviewer’s observed changes, not a promise of the same result across all games or units.
Those numbers describe a trade-off, not a clean battery upgrade. A small reduction in power draw can extend a session, but lower sustained performance can also mean fewer frames. Actual endurance and speed depend on the selected power mode, charger status, brightness, refresh rate, resolution, frame-rate cap, game workload, BIOS, and drivers.
The original Ally offers 7 W, 10 W, 15 W, and 25 W battery operating modes, with Turbo rising to 30 W when connected to AC power, according to Asus’s product documentation. Asus’s original claims of up to 1.5 hours for heavy gaming and up to 6.8 hours for Netflix or YouTube are manufacturer estimates for different workloads, not general gaming-runtime guarantees.
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- [Xbox experience brought to life by ROG] : The Xbox gaming legacy meets ROG's decades of premium hardware design in the ROG Xbox Ally. Boot straight into the Xbox experience just like a console.
- [Xbox Game Bar integration] : Launch Game Bar with a tap of the Xbox button or play your favorite titles natively from platforms like Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Epic Games, or Windows games on the go.
- [All your games, all your progress]: Powered by Windows 11, the ROG Xbox Ally gives you access to your full library of PC games from Xbox and other game stores. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can pick up right where you left off on your PC or Xbox and jump back into the game anytime.
- [Never stop gaming]: Powered by ultra-efficient AMD Ryzen Z2 A processor, the ROG Xbox Ally offers console-caliber performance and can game for hours, even away from a wall outlet.
- [Game-ready storage and fast memory]: Store your full library and multitask seamlessly with 1TB SSD and 16GB of LPDDR5 6400MHz RAM. The ROG Xbox Ally makes playing any game in the palm of your hand possible.
For practical play, 720p, upscaling where available, a sensible frame cap, and a lower power mode can help stretch a charge. The 1080p screen is attractive, but rendering at that resolution can demand more power than a lower target. A supplied 65 W adapter or suitable USB-C power source changes the equation by letting the Ally use its higher plugged-in power mode; it does not make the battery larger.
Performance depends on the chip, power mode, and test conditions
The original model came with either an AMD Ryzen Z1 or Ryzen Z1 Extreme, alongside 16 GB of memory and a 512 GB M.2 2230 PCIe 4.0 SSD. Results from the Z1 Extreme should not be assumed to describe the less powerful Z1 version. Asus lists the original model’s processor options, power modes, and benchmark conditions separately.
The Z1 Extreme Ally can outperform the original Steam Deck in many higher-power scenarios, particularly when plugged in. At lower wattages, the gap narrows, and the result varies with the game and settings. A plugged-in Ally benchmark is not a fair stand-in for battery-powered use, nor should a frame-rate figure be detached from its resolution, preset, BIOS, driver, and power mode.
BIOS changes can affect clocks, fan behavior, power consumption, and sustained frame rates. Asus’s own benchmarks specify test settings and caution that results vary with configuration and newer drivers. Game patches also change performance, so launch-era frame rates are not reliable forecasts for current builds. The updated review’s combination of modest battery gains and some lower frame rates is a reminder to evaluate a specific setup, not to assume every update made the Ally faster.
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What updates did not change
The 40 Wh battery remains the main limitation
Firmware cannot turn the original Ally’s 40 Wh battery into a larger one. Demanding games can drain it quickly, especially at 1080p, high refresh rates, or elevated power settings. The Ally is a more comfortable fit for play near an outlet, with a compatible charger or power bank, than for long sessions away from power.
Windows remains a compromise on a handheld
Armoury Crate provides useful shortcuts, but Windows menus, updates, and launchers can still interrupt play or require touch and keyboard input. Buyers who want to troubleshoot drivers and desktop settings may value the flexibility; those who want a console-like flow may find it tiring.
Power and performance still require choices
There is no single setting that maximizes battery life, image quality, and frame rate at once. Users may need to adjust wattage, resolution, refresh rate, frame caps, or graphics settings from game to game. The 120 Hz display and variable refresh rate can smooth supported play, but they do not remove the cost of rendering demanding games at high resolution.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Original ROG Ally vs. Steam Deck
Neither handheld is best for every player. The Ally’s strongest argument is native Windows compatibility and higher peak performance in high-power use; the Steam Deck’s is a more console-like Steam experience and efficiency at comparable performance targets. Valve’s current family includes different models, so display details vary; the table’s display comparison refers to the original Steam Deck rather than its OLED version.
| Consideration | Original ROG Ally | Steam Deck |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Windows 11; broad native compatibility with Windows games and apps | SteamOS; designed around Steam and controller-first use |
| Other launchers | Game Pass, Epic, GOG, and other Windows launchers can run natively, though setup and interfaces vary | Steam integration is the simplest path; other launchers can require extra work |
| Display | 7-inch 1920 × 1080, 120 Hz screen with FreeSync Premium | Original LCD model has a lower-resolution panel; the separate OLED model differs |
| Peak performance | Stronger in many high-power scenarios, particularly when plugged in | Lower peak power; results depend on game and settings |
| Battery expectations | 40 Wh battery; demanding play can be short-lived | Generally more efficient at comparable performance targets; runtime varies by model and game |
| Ease of use | More PC-like, flexible, and likely to involve Windows troubleshooting | More console-like for Steam-first play |
| Storage upgrades | Replaceable M.2 2230 SSD and microSD expansion | Replaceable SSD; details vary by model |
| Current price | Not stated: the official US page does not provide a dependable current price in the retrieved listing | Not stated: Valve’s product page does not provide a dependable current price in the retrieved listing |
For current availability and model distinctions, see Valve’s Steam Deck page. The original Ally’s $699.99 US launch price and the Steam Deck’s $399 starting price belong to the 2023 market, not a dependable 2026 comparison; those launch figures are reported in the historical review reproduction.
The Ally X is a hardware redesign, not an update to this Ally
The 2024 Ally X addresses several original-model limitations through hardware changes. Asus lists an 80 Wh battery, redesigned ergonomics, dual USB-C ports, up to 24 GB of LPDDR5X memory, and up to 2 TB of storage on its ROG Ally X product page. Those are Ally X specifications, not features added to the 2023 model by BIOS or Armoury Crate.
The original Ally’s proprietary XG Mobile connection is also not interchangeable with the Ally X’s USB4/eGPU arrangement. Check the exact model’s port and accessory compatibility before buying an external graphics solution; the original model’s specifications and Ally X’s specifications are distinct.
Is the original ROG Ally worth buying in 2026?
It can make sense as a used or discounted Windows handheld if the price is substantially below newer alternatives and the buyer accepts short battery life and Windows setup. Asus’s US product pages show the original Ally, Ally X, and 2025 ROG Xbox models as separate products, but the retrieved listings do not establish a reliable current price. Compare live local listings and the condition of any used device rather than relying on launch prices.
Quick Recap
- Consider the original Ally if you need Windows compatibility, play near power, are comfortable managing drivers and launchers, and find it meaningfully cheaper than newer hardware.
- Choose Steam Deck if most of your library is on Steam and a simpler, more console-like experience matters more than native Windows launcher compatibility.
- Compare the Ally X if battery capacity, ergonomics, memory, storage, and USB connectivity matter enough to justify paying more for a redesign.
- Look at the 2025 ROG Xbox Ally models if you want a newer Asus handheld and are comparing current hardware and software positioning. They are separate models, not updated versions of the original Ally.
- Choose a laptop instead if you need a full desktop workflow, long battery life, or sustained gaming performance away from a charger.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
