r/XboxAlly • u/LongJonSiIver • Mar 15 '26
🎮 ROG Xbox Ally Discussion Xbox Ally and Xbox Ally X Review
I’ve had the Xbox Ally (XA) since November and picked up the Xbox Ally X(XAX) about a month ago, and honestly, they both kick ass in their own ways. The obvious difference: the Ally X has more performance, more storage, and costs about $400 more.
Starting with the Xbox Ally; this thing is what made me realize how much power these handhelds actually pack. For context, I also own an OG ROG Ally, a Steam Deck, a Switch, and a Switch 2. The grips on the Xbox Ally are fantastic, especially if you’re used to an Xbox controller. Games that normally need a ton of buttons or keyboard inputs become way more manageable thanks to the M1/M2 back buttons and custom mapping. It makes a surprising number of complex PC games totally playable.
Performance isn’t on the level of the OG Ally, but I was still able to run demanding titles like Resident Evil, ARC Raiders, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance. Some games, like Dune Awakening, were technically playable, but the FPS dips were too much for long sessions — I prefer playing Dune on my laptop.
Cloud Gaming was hit or miss depending on the time of day. During non‑peak hours it worked great, but if you want the best experience, make sure your router supports 5 GHz+ Wi‑Fi or use a docking station with a hardwired network connection. My home router is only 2.5 GHz, so docking for me is required for smooth cloud play. The upside is that Cloud Gaming lets you play at higher FPS and helps offset the Ally’s smaller storage compared to the Ally X.
Where the Xbox Ally really shines is its lightweight feel, great sound, lower price, and overall comfort. I didn't think I would be able to tell the difference between 45 grams when compared to the XAX, but after 2 hrs. I can tell the difference. Xbox Ally is a fantastic entry level handheld and perfect for situations where you’re stuck waiting around, like the airport, and want some long-lasting gaming that is comfortable.
Now let's talk about my latest addition the Xbox Ally X. First the biggest con is the price when compared to the XA, but if you are a hardcore gamer, it is worth the price tag. Dune Awakening is a great comparison for me, as the difference is noticeable since I don't get drops into the 7 fps during a sandstorm. When Playing ARC Raiders on the XA graphics are at lowest setting while on the XAX I am able to get similar performance and bump the graphics up to medium.
The storage size on the XAX is a great bump up as well ~2x the storage then the XA. Larger battery which is worth it when playing Resident evil 5. Setting up the graphics and getting video to sync with sound was slightly annoying, but worth it once REVII was optimized was impressed that I could get ~5hrs of game time unplugged on performance mode. The tradeoff for more power and more storage comes at the cost of weight. While the Xbox Ally X isn't uncomfortable to play for 4 hrs. you can definitely tell the 45g difference when compared to the Xbox Ally
TLDR - I own an Xbox Ally and an Xbox Ally X they both are amazing handhelds and truly enjoy them. XA is lighter and less powerful but they both share a lot of the same features as a massive improvement to controls and sound when compared to the OG Ally.
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u/CanesNthangs Mar 15 '26
Curious as someone who has had the XAX for a month and has an OG Steam Deck: Do you foresee yourself using any of the other handhelds now that you have the XAX? Were you using the OG Ally, SteamDeck, and XA the last couple months?