The Xbox ROG Ally X is generating serious buzz in the handheld gaming world, but Digital Foundry’s recent hands-on experience at Gamescom 2025 tells a story that’s equal parts exciting and concerning. While this collaboration between Microsoft and ASUS promises console-quality gaming in a portable form factor, the reality might be more complicated than expected.
Performance That Actually Delivers
Let’s start with the good news. The Xbox ROG Ally X absolutely crushes it when it comes to raw gaming performance. During testing, Digital Foundry recorded some genuinely impressive numbers that put other handheld PCs to shame.
Doom: The Dark Ages ran at a smooth 83 FPS average at 1080p with medium-to-high graphics settings. Gears of War: Reloaded maintained a rock solid 60 FPS at 1080p with high and ultra settings. Even more demanding titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 stretched the device to 92 FPS.
These numbers come courtesy of the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme processor paired with 24GB of RAM running at 8000MT/s. The secret sauce here isn’t just the hardware – it’s how Microsoft has streamlined Windows 11 to focus purely on gaming, dumping unnecessary background processes that typically drag down performance on other Windows handhelds.
Ergonomics That Actually Feel Like Xbox
One area where the Xbox ROG Ally X genuinely shines is comfort. Digital Foundry’s testing revealed that Microsoft’s expertise in controller design translates beautifully to handheld form factors. The device feels like holding an Xbox controller that happens to have a screen attached.
The larger grips make extended gaming sessions far more comfortable than competing devices like the Nintendo Switch or MSI Claw. The button placement follows Xbox controller conventions perfectly, meaning your muscle memory transfers directly over. Even the impulse triggers and haptic feedback feel authentic to the Xbox experience.
The UI Problems That Could Kill the Experience
Here’s where things get messy. Richard Leadbetter from Digital Foundry encountered multiple serious issues that raise red flags about the Xbox ROG Ally X’s software readiness.
During testing, analog sticks randomly stopped working for menu navigation. Doom: The Dark Ages crashed completely, preventing any in-game navigation. Perhaps most concerning was when the system failed to properly manage memory – after playing Gears of War: Reloaded and switching to Doom, both games remained in memory simultaneously, hammering performance.
These aren’t minor glitches. They’re the kind of fundamental UI failures that make a device feel unfinished and unreliable. For a machine launching October 16, 2025, there’s surprisingly little time left to iron out these critical issues.
Heat and Noise: The Usual Suspects
Like virtually every PC gaming handheld, the Xbox ROG Ally X struggles with heat dissipation. While the cooling system manages to maintain performance during demanding gaming sessions, it comes at the cost of significantly louder fans.
The speakers can get pretty loud at maximum volume, but you’ll definitely want to pack headphones for a truly immersive experience once those fans spin up under load.
Xbox ROG Ally X Specifications
| Component | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme |
| Memory | 24GB RAM (8000MT/s) |
| Display | 7-inch IPS 1080p, 120Hz with AMD FreeSync |
| Battery | 80Wh |
| Launch Date | October 16, 2025 |
The Bigger Picture
What makes the Xbox ROG Ally X particularly interesting is Microsoft’s approach to Windows optimization. Instead of running a full desktop environment in the background, the device boots directly into an Xbox-focused interface that eliminates resource-heavy processes.
This streamlined approach delivers the performance gains we’re seeing, but it also highlights just how much traditional Windows implementations hold back handheld gaming devices. The question is whether Microsoft can polish the software experience quickly enough for launch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Xbox ROG Ally X release?
The Xbox ROG Ally X launches on October 16, 2025, giving Microsoft less than two months to address the current UI issues.
What games can the Xbox ROG Ally X run?
The device runs PC games through Windows 11, including demanding titles like Doom: The Dark Ages, Gears of War: Reloaded, and Hogwarts Legacy at impressive frame rates.
How does the Xbox ROG Ally X compare to the Steam Deck?
While the Steam Deck offers superior UI polish and stability, the Xbox ROG Ally X delivers significantly better raw performance and more comfortable ergonomics.
Does the Xbox ROG Ally X play Xbox console games?
The device runs Windows 11, so it plays PC versions of games rather than Xbox console exclusives, though many games are available across both platforms.
What’s the battery life like on the Xbox ROG Ally X?
With an 80Wh battery, expect similar battery life to other high-performance gaming handhelds – likely 1-3 hours depending on the demanding nature of games being played.
Is the Xbox ROG Ally X worth waiting for?
The hardware shows tremendous promise with excellent performance and ergonomics, but the current software issues make it risky for launch day adoption until Microsoft addresses the UI problems.
How much will the Xbox ROG Ally X cost?
Microsoft hasn’t announced official pricing yet, but expect it to be positioned competitively with other high-end gaming handhelds in the $700-900 range.
Should You Buy It?
The Xbox ROG Ally X represents genuine innovation in handheld gaming, combining Microsoft’s interface expertise with ASUS’s hardware prowess. The performance numbers are legitimately impressive, and the ergonomics feel like a natural evolution of Xbox controller design.
However, Digital Foundry’s hands-on experience reveals software issues serious enough to give potential buyers pause. UI crashes, unresponsive controls, and poor memory management aren’t minor inconveniences – they’re deal-breakers for many users.
If Microsoft can address these problems before the October launch, the Xbox ROG Ally X could be the handheld gaming device that finally delivers on the promise of console-quality portable gaming. But right now, it feels like a device that needed a few more months in development.
The smart money might be on waiting for post-launch reviews to see if Microsoft manages to polish the experience, or if early adopters become beta testers for what should have been a more finished product.