- ROG Xbox Ally XS Early Benchmark indicates strengths in effect efficiency and cooling
- Gaming on 18W TDP with frame generation provides high image speeds in Doom: The Dark Ages With low temperatures
- Pricing is still not confirmed prior to launch on October 16
The ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X launch is not too far away, with the handheld landing on October 16 to challenge the best handheld games -PCs on the market. However, early benchmarks have given us an insight into what we should expect performance and I am not convinced yet.
As highlighted by Windows Report, ROG Xbox Ally X stands out by stream efficiency and cooling, based on early benchmarks by Cary Golomb of X. At 18W TDP (thermal power design or essentially, power consumption) with FSR scaling, beam pores and framework activated, Doom: The Dark Ages.
ROG XBOX ALLY X DOOM THE DARK AGES1080P UPSCALED (FSR 50% 540P BASE RES) RAY TRACING ENABSTOM LOW-MEDIUM SETTINGSFSR FRAME-GEN enabled. ~ 70fps in this scene. ~ 26W Total (~ 18W tdp) But good news is we see the self-balancing power of the system.my YouTube video tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/v6gh6uhpkhAugust 22, 2025
Without the use of Frame Gen in this early benchmark, the image frequency would probably fall between 35 to 40FPS, which is not so much better than you would get with the Z2 Extreme’s predecessor, Z1 Extreme.
It is unclear whether Ryzen AI Z2 -extrem processor used in ROG Xbox Ally will show significant benefit differences over standard Z2 extremes. One thing that is ready for me (based on early showcase), however, is that this handheld is not impressive enough to justify a high price tag.
Analysis: A minor improvement from Ryzen Z1 Extreme is not worth the cost
Now I have to repeat that the price of ROG Xbox Ally X has not been confirmed and will be announced later in September when pre -orders become available. However, all signs from rumors and leaks point to the device costing € 899 – it would work to about $ 1,050 (about £ 775 / AU $ 1,600) or potentially more. If so, its future success may be in balance.
It is worth noting that ROG Xbox Ally will be the cheaper and less powerful alternative, reportedly costing € 599 (which should be around $ 700, or around £ 520 / AU $ 1,070), but its Ryzen Z2A with RDNA 2 architecture is very unlikely to challenge Ryzen Z1 Extreme.
Based on benchmarks between Ryzen Z2 Extreme and Ryzen Z1 Extreme, it does not appear that the benefit jump is significant enough to guarantee to pay $ 1,000; The original Asus Rog Ally and Lenovo Legion go handheld can be found much cheaper on sale.
As I have said before, I have an eye on Lenovo Legion Go by using the Z1 Extreme as it is the only reasonable upgrade for me with 32 GB of RAM and an 8-inch screen. Any other handheld is priced too high, and unfortunately it seems that ROG Xbox Ally X is also joining this list.
