Asus ROG Xbox Ally X20 Review: A Gorgeous Handheld at a Steep Price

I’ve spent most of the past year using the ROG Xbox Ally X as my go-to handheld for gaming. It’s become such a regular part of my gaming arsenal, especially while I’m travelling or away from my consoles. It’s a relatively easy-to-use machine that’s pick-up-and-play for my Xbox library and Steam titles. One glaring omission has always been a talking point for me. And that’s the lack of an OLED display.

Thankfully, after years of badgering the company, Asus has delivered. The ROG Xbox Ally X20 finally features an OLED screen, plus redesigned controls, improved thumbsticks, and a striking anniversary design. After spending the last few weeks with it, I’ve become convinced this is the handheld Asus should have made in the first place. Internally, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 remains largely unchanged, keeping the same chipset and battery.

With so many cosmetic improvements and control refinements, the latest Asus and Xbox handheld comes with a steep price tag of $1,899 CAD. That’s a hefty amount of money to spend on a handheld gaming PC, particularly when my existing Ally X still does practically everything I need. Nevertheless, after spending considerable time in Gears of War: E-Day, Minecraft Dungeons II, and Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to go back.

Out of the box

Asus announced the ROG Xbox Ally X20 at Computex 2026, celebrating the company’s 20th anniversary with a premium version of its Xbox-branded handheld. Anyone familiar with last year’s model will immediately recognize the overall design. The large Xbox-inspired grips return, as does the familiar controller layout. Asus hasn’t tried to reinvent the handheld. Though I’m not convinced the company should, the design is good enough for my uses.

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 weighs 756 grams, making it a fairly substantial piece of hardware. I’ve never found the weight particularly hard to hold over longer play sessions, though. New rubber grips make it even more comfortable to hold. It’s not a demonstrable difference when compared to last year’s model. Still, it is noticeable enough that, when I go back to the Xbox Ally X, I miss the rubber grips.

The appearance has changed considerably. The translucent black chassis and gold accents look fantastic in person, especially if you appreciate seeing a device’s inner workings. I’m such a sucker for transparent technology to begin with. The ROG Xbox Ally X20 strikes a nice balance between looking distinctive and keeping the original’s understated design. The illuminated Xbox button is another small improvement I’ve come to appreciate. Asus also includes gold-coloured lights around the thumbsticks, rather than the RGB rings from its predecessor

None of these changes is especially groundbreaking. If you’re already content with the design and feel of the ROG Xbox Ally X, the X20 offers little that demands an upgrade. Still, the small changes may appeal to ROG fanatics or anyone buying their first ROG Xbox Ally handheld.

An OLED to Make You Tear Up

The biggest upgrade is unquestionably the display. Asus has equipped the X20 with a 7.4-inch Full HD OLED panel, replacing the standard Ally X’s 7-inch LCD. It keeps a 120Hz refresh rate while adding FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision HDR, and 100 percent DCI-P3 colour coverage. Brightness reaches 600 nits in SDR and up to 1,400 nits in HDR. Gorilla Glass Victus and an anti-reflective DXC coating help reduce glare.

Those specifications sound impressive on paper. Seeing the display in person is another matter entirely. I’ve spent plenty of time playing Gears of War: E-Day on the X20, and it’s the sort of game that makes the OLED upgrade immediately worthwhile. Its darker visuals benefit from the panel’s deeper blacks and improved contrast. The difference becomes especially noticeable when moving between the X20 and my standard Ally X. Scenes that look perfectly fine on the LCD suddenly feel flatter after you spend time with OLED.

Clive Barker’s Hellraiser: Revival is another game where the display makes an impression. The game leverages HDR fairly well throughout many of its darker moments. The OLED display on the ROG Xbox Ally X20 really capitalizes on colour contrast. Even Minecraft Dungeons II, with its vibrancy and colours, benefits from the improved contrast and richer colour spectrum. It’s a different visual experience from the other two games, but no less enjoyable on the new screen.

The slightly larger display also makes a difference. Asus has reduced the upper bezel while keeping the familiar 16:9 aspect ratio, giving games a little more room without significantly changing the handheld’s size. It’s not so much that the X20’s OLED display lets it shine. It’s all of the tiny refinements to the screen. The existing Ally X still has a good screen that’ll serve me well. It’s hard to ignore how far OLED goes to give me the best visual experience.

The controls are top-notch

Asus hasn’t stopped at the screen. The X20 introduces full-size TMR thumbsticks, which use magnetic sensing technology to reduce the mechanical wear commonly associated with stick drift. On any controller or handheld, stick drift is always a concern. Many companies have begun integrating TMR technology to avoid drift issues. It’s a worthwhile improvement, particularly for a handheld that costs nearly $2,000. Now, the thumbsticks click considerably less when they hit the edges. It sounds softer, which I find a nice touch when gameplay gets a little chaotic.

I’ve spent a fair amount of time on the sticks in Gears of War: E-Day, where accurate movement and camera control matter. The updated hardware feels really solid. It’s far too early to judge the TMR technology, as prolonged use will ultimately determine how much wear and tear the handheld can handle.

Asus also added Hall Effect analogue triggers, redesigned face buttons, improved bumpers, and HD haptics. It even includes a transforming D-pad that switches between four- and eight-direction inputs.  That flexibility helps when moving between genres. The two programmable rear buttons also return, allowing players to customize their control layouts. 

Overall, the ROG Xbox Ally X20’s controls feel more premium and precise. None of these upgrades is as immediately noticeable as the OLED panel. They make the X20 feel more complete, especially as Asus uses this handheld to celebrate the brand’s milestone.

Performance remains largely unchanged

Internally, things get a little less exciting. The ROG Xbox Ally X20 uses the same AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor as the standard ROG Xbox Ally X, paired with 24GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. The processor features eight cores, 16 threads, and boost speeds up to 5GHz, plus an NPU capable of up to 50 TOPS.

If you’re expecting a significant increase in gaming performance, this isn’t the upgrade. I’ve spent enough time with the original Ally X to know what the hardware can accomplish, and the X20 delivers a familiar experience. Its biggest advantage is how much better games look, not a dramatic improvement in how they run. As a result, the ROG Xbox Ally X20 is Asus’s safest new iteration. From this angle, the handheld isn’t as exciting.

Across many games, I’ve been more interested in how the upgraded display and controls change the experience than chasing higher frame rates. That doesn’t mean performance is irrelevant. The 120Hz display remains excellent, but it doesn’t mean every demanding game will run anywhere close to 120 frames per second.

At this price, it’s reasonable to wish Asus had found room for a more meaningful processor upgrade, especially after what I believe was a successful hardware launch in 2025. Still, I can appreciate the decision to prioritize features that I’ve been begging for. A better screen benefits practically every game, no matter how demanding.

Xbox Mode makes Windows easier to live with

One reason I’ve kept using the Ally X over a Steam Deck or other gaming handheld is Windows’ flexibility. The X20 runs Windows 11 Home with Microsoft’s Xbox Mode interface, which provides a controller-friendly way to access games and navigate the system.

It’s not perfect, but it makes a considerable difference. I can jump between my games without constantly dealing with the traditional Windows desktop. That convenience is especially useful on a device where I don’t necessarily want to connect a keyboard and mouse.

Having many titles from my Xbox library accessible through the same handheld reinforces why I’ve become so attached to this ecosystem. I routinely check whether a new game features Xbox Play Anywhere so I can pick up my progress on the ROG Xbox Ally X20.

Of course, Windows still occasionally reminds you that you’re using a PC rather than a dedicated console. I’m still irritated that I have to go to so many places for software and driver updates. I truly wish Asus and Microsoft could create a catch-all system to update the system without me having to back out of Xbox Mode and into Windows 11. Updates, desktop menus and the occasional awkward navigation prompt remain part of the experience. Xbox Mode improves matters, but it hasn’t completely eliminated those frustrations.

Battery life and docked gaming

The X20 retains the 80Wh battery found in the standard Ally X. I’ve been content with the ROG Xbox Ally X20’s overall battery life. In the handheld’s 30W Turbo Mode, I can usually get around two hours of use. Dropping down to 10W Silent Mode, I’ve gotten upwards of 5 hours of usage. As expected, overall endurance still depends heavily on what you’re playing and the performance settings you use. Games like Gears of War: E-Day use far more battery than less strenuous titles. That said, I’ve been able to play large chunks of the campaign on the ROG Xbox Ally X20 without interruptions.

The OLED panel can also affect power consumption depending on the content and brightness settings, so I wouldn’t assume the new screen automatically delivers better battery life.

Connectivity remains familiar, with USB4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4 and a microSD Express card reader. Asus is also offering a bundle that includes the ROG XREAL R1 Edition 20 gaming glasses. They connect via USB-C and simulate a virtual 171-inch display viewed from about four metres away. They also support up to 240Hz and include Anchor Mode to keep the virtual screen fixed in place. The concept appeals to anyone who wants a much larger viewing experience without being tied to a television or monitor.

During the review period, I spent time testing a standard pair of XREAL R1S with the ROG Xbox Ally X20 and quickly saw the appeal. This combination screams for plane or long train rides. Without holding the handheld up to my face or craning my neck, the XREAL R1 offers an easy-to-consume viewing experience. The most surprising part is how crisp and clean the 171-inch display stays, even after I used the glasses in the daylight.

Asus’ previously announced ROG Xbox Ally X20 bundle also includes a Pelican Protector case and a dbrand Killswitch case for the handheld. I’m glad Asus confirmed a standalone X20. The glasses are an exciting accessory, but with costs already at a premium, adding the XREAL R1 will undoubtedly price out many users. Given how expensive the X20 already is, the option to buy it without extra hardware matters.

Final thoughts

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 is the best gaming handheld I’ve ever used. It’s also the first device in a long time that’s made me seriously consider replacing hardware I’m already perfectly happy with. But it comes with a major caveat: you have to swallow a $1,899 purchase.

The OLED display is the star. After spending weeks playing AAA games like Gears of War: E-Day and Forza Horizon 6, going back to the standard Ally X feels like a downgrade. The improved TMR joysticks, Hall Effect triggers and refined controls only strengthen an already excellent foundation. ASUS hasn’t reinvented the handheld, but it’s addressed practically everything I wanted changed.

My only complaint is the $1,899 price. There’s no getting around how expensive this thing is, especially when its internal hardware is largely unchanged. I wouldn’t recommend existing Ally X owners rush out to upgrade, nor would I suggest spending beyond your means to get one. But if you’re shopping for a premium Windows gaming handheld and can comfortably afford it, I’d buy the ROG Xbox Ally X20.

I’ve used my standard Ally X almost daily since launch, and I didn’t think ASUS could convince me to replace it this quickly. I was wrong. The X20 is so good that I’m genuinely considering selling my current handheld to help pay for one. The ROG Xbox Ally X20 is expensive, unapologetically premium and easily my favourite handheld on the market. It earns my highest recommendation.

The ROG Xbox Ally X20 launches in Canada on October 15, with the standalone handheld priced at $1,899. It’s available through Best Buy Canada and the Asus Store.