Microsoft
Microsoft Xbox Series X
$499Cheaper
Released 2020-11
Best Game Consoles · head-to-head
Microsoft Xbox Series X vs Asus ROG Ally X
A sourced, side-by-side comparison. Microsoft Xbox Series X is cheaper at $499. Every spec and price links to its source.
Asus
Asus ROG Ally X
$799
Released 2024-07
Which is better: the Microsoft Xbox Series X or Asus ROG Ally X?
They split the 2 specs we compare evenly. The Microsoft Xbox Series X is the cheaper at $499.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices verified at capture; live price may differ.
Key specs, head to head
The numbers that decide it, drawn to scale — longer bar wins, the accent bar is the stronger figure.
Full spec sheet
✓ marks the stronger figure where "more" — or "less", for price and weight — is unambiguously better.
| Spec | Microsoft Xbox Series X | Asus ROG Ally X |
|---|---|---|
| US price | $499 | $799 |
| Brand | Microsoft | Asus |
| Released | 2020-11 | 2024-07 |
| CPU | Custom AMD Zen 2 8-core @ 3.8 GHz | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core @ up to 5.1 GHz) |
| GPU (TFLOPS) | 12.155 | 8.29 |
| RAM (GB) | 16 | 24 |
| Storage (GB) | 1000 | 1000 |
| Max resolution | 4K | 1920x1080 |
| Max (fps) | 120 | 120 |
| Optical drive | Yes | No |
| Release | 2020-11 | 2024-07 |
Sources — Microsoft Xbox Series X: en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15). Asus ROG Ally X: en.wikipedia.org (verified 2026-06-15).
What's the difference between the Microsoft Xbox Series X and Asus ROG Ally X?
Where the two actually differ on the specs we track (5 of 7). Matching specs are omitted.
- CPU: Microsoft Xbox Series X Custom AMD Zen 2 8-core @ 3.8 GHz vs Asus ROG Ally X AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme (Zen 4, 8-core @ up to 5.1 GHz)
- GPU (TFLOPS): Microsoft Xbox Series X 12.155 vs Asus ROG Ally X 8.29
- RAM (GB): Microsoft Xbox Series X 16 vs Asus ROG Ally X 24
- Max resolution: Microsoft Xbox Series X 4K vs Asus ROG Ally X 1920x1080
- Optical drive: Microsoft Xbox Series X true vs Asus ROG Ally X false
What reviewers say
Sourced tester consensus for each — the "what people who used it think" layer, not just specs.
Microsoft Xbox Series X
Two whitelisted hands-on reviews (TechRadar, Tom's Guide) rate the Series X highly: both measured dramatic load-time cuts (Sea of Thieves 100s to 35s; RDR2 88s to 38s), praise its quiet, powerful hardware, Quick Resume and backward compatibility. Both flag a launch exclusives gap and a barely-changed Xbox One UI. Digital Foundry and RTINGS not used. (2 sourced reviews, 2 lab-tested.)
Praised: Very fast SSD load times, verified with timings across multiple games; Quiet, cool-running yet powerful hardware, near-PC performance; Best-in-class backward compatibility across Xbox generations.
Flagged: Thin lineup of true exclusives, especially at/near launch (leans on Game Pass); UI/dashboard barely changed from Xbox One, no next-gen overhaul; Generational graphics leap over Xbox One X underwhelming.
Asus ROG Ally X
All three whitelisted testers (Tom's Hardware, Engadget, TechPowerUp) rate the 2024 ROG Ally X the best Windows handheld at launch, praising its doubled 80Wh battery, 24GB RAM performance gains and comfier grips. All flag the $799 price and clunky Windows. A newer rival (MSI Claw 8) later out-lasted its battery. Excludes the separate 2025 Xbox Ally X. (3 sourced reviews, 3 lab-tested.)
Praised: Doubled 80Wh battery delivers much longer runtime than the original Ally; 24GB of faster RAM lifts gaming performance on the same Z1 Extreme chip; Improved ergonomics, larger grips and better build comfort.
Flagged: $799/$800 price is steep, especially versus the cheaper Steam Deck; Windows 11 still feels clunky with a controller on a small handheld screen; Armoury Crate software remains buggy / less cohesive than SteamOS.