Asus Unleashes Upgraded ROG Xbox Ally X20 with Stunning OLED Display
The world of portable gaming just got a serious boost with Asus revealing its latest iteration of the ROG Xbox Ally handheld, dubbed the X20. This new model arrives with a significantly upgraded display and refinements to its controls, aiming to further solidify its place in the competitive PC gaming handheld market.
While the future of Xbox consoles continues to be a hot topic, it’s easy to overlook Microsoft’s foray into the handheld space less than a year ago. The original ROG Xbox Ally, and its subsequent upgrade the ROG Xbox Ally X, were developed in collaboration with Asus. Their intention was clear: to offer a compelling alternative to established players like Valve’s Steam Deck. Positioned as a PC gaming device with an integrated Xbox experience, it was perhaps never destined for the mass-market appeal of consoles like the Nintendo Switch or the iconic PSP. Nevertheless, it represented a significant first step for Microsoft in the portable gaming arena.
Despite a premium price point, Asus reported in November last year that the ROG Xbox Ally X had “exceeded expectations,” though specific sales figures remain under wraps. This positive reception has evidently been enough to warrant a further evolution of the device. The ROG Xbox Ally X20 marks the third iteration, and its headline feature is a larger 7.4-inch OLED screen, a welcome upgrade from the 7-inch IPS panel found on its predecessors.
According to Asus, this new “Nebula HDR Display” is no slouch. It boasts a full HD resolution, a fluid 120Hz refresh rate, and FreeSync Premium Pro support for tear-free gaming. Furthermore, the OLED technology promises an impressive peak brightness of 1400 nits, ensuring vibrant visuals even in challenging lighting conditions.
Beyond the visual enhancements, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 features a thoroughly revised set of thumbsticks. These new sticks incorporate TMR sensor technology, designed to combat the dreaded “stick drift” that can plague controllers over time, while also minimising power consumption. The directional pad (D-pad) has also received a clever makeover, capable of switching between a traditional 4-way input and a more versatile 8-way input. This flexibility allows gamers to better adapt their controls to the specific demands of different game genres.
Internally, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 shares the same powerful core as the ROG Xbox Ally X. Both devices are powered by the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme Processor, paired with 24GB of LPDDR5X RAM and a speedy 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. This means that performance in terms of game loading times and frame rates will be consistent across both models.
The focus for the X20, therefore, appears to be on enhanced ergonomics and a premium display, rather than raw processing power. In addition to these hardware improvements, Asus is also offering a special ROG Xbox Ally X20 bundle that includes ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 Gaming AR glasses. At the time of this announcement, it remains unclear whether the handheld will be available for purchase separately or if the bundle will be the sole option.
Pricing for the Xbox Ally X20 has not yet been officially confirmed by Asus. However, given that the ROG Xbox Ally X is currently retailing in the UK for £849.99, it’s reasonable to expect the X20 to command a price tag in excess of £900. A definitive release date is also yet to be announced.
This unveiling comes at an opportune moment, just ahead of the highly anticipated Xbox Games Showcase scheduled for Sunday, June 7. While it’s confirmed that Gears Of War: E-Day will be a highlight of that event, it’s also been noted that Project Helix will not be featured.
