ROG Xbox Ally X Ships Early in Europe, Reddit User Praises Handheld

Amazon France mistakenly shipped ROG Xbox Ally X units over two weeks before the official release, giving one European fan an early look at the high-end handheld. The device, part of Asus and Microsoft’s Xbox partnership, is set to launch officially on October 16.

Reddit user TechnicalFun77 shared impressions before deleting their account, offering one of the first glimpses into the console’s performance and design.

"It's a good console," TechnicalFun77 wrote. "Very good ergonomics, controlled weight, pretty nice handheld, armory crate in the full screen experience is very responsive, no latency problem when pressing buttons, quite fluid in the menus in general, and superb battery life at 17-25w. And my god, the console is quiet and well-cooled even at high TDP. One of the main strengths is the sound of the device. It like the sounds are going all around my head, I almost don't need headphones." — TechnicalFun77

The early impressions highlight the console’s efficient hardware and solid ergonomics. The user noted that the joysticks closely resemble those from the Xbox One, and while the sleep/resume functionality shows improvement over Windows, it remains less consistent than on the Steam Deck.

Performance benchmarks shared by the user suggest that the device handles 900p to 1080p gaming at medium to high settings with 35-40 fps at 25W TDP. Frame generation and scaling options could push performance close to 80 fps in compatible games. The handheld’s cooling and quiet operation impressed the user, emphasizing the console’s polished design despite being received before the official launch.

The ROG Xbox Ally X is priced at $1,000 in the US, while the standard ROG Xbox Ally model will retail for $600. Preorders remain open through Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, and Asus. In addition, Microsoft will raise Xbox console prices in the US starting October 3, with the Series S at $400 and Series X 1TB at $650.

Early impressions like these suggest that the ROG Xbox Ally X offers a well-rounded handheld experience with impressive sound, thermal management, and ergonomics, making it a standout option for players looking to enjoy Xbox games on the go.