ROG Ally X is now available for pre-order with big improvements

After the success of the ROG Ally gaming PC handheld last year, ASUS has announced the ROG Ally X, launching in Australia and New Zealand next month, with pre-orders open now.

The unit will be available on July 22nd, for an RRP of AUD $1,599/NZD $1,799. This puts it at a solid $300 more than the ROG Ally when it launched just last year, but the improvements seem to make it well worth the cost.

The ROG Ally X features the same AMD Ryzen™ Z1 Extreme processor, but adds upgraded storage, RAM, and battery life, alongside an updated chassis for improved ergonomics, cooling, and connectivity. It is once again designed for Windows 11 gaming on the go, meaning you can play all your PC games on the device, whether it’s on Steam, Xbox Game Pass, or other apps usually compatible with your gaming PC.

Bradley Howe, Head of Consumer, Systems Business Group, ASUS Australia, said: “We’re excited to launch the new ROG Ally X in Australia and New Zealand after receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback from users on the ROG Ally last year. We have continued to listen to our customers’ feedback, resulting in the new ROG Ally X, which offers great improvements to battery, thermal cooling and storage. We are delighted that this best-in-class handheld console will now be available for individuals looking for a powerful yet portable on-the-go gaming experience.”

Early reports on the ROG Ally X from those who have had their hands on it briefly overseas indicate that it is an impressive device, addressing a lot of the issues others had with the original ROG Ally, and surprisingly packing those improvements in a handheld that doesn’t even feel heavier than its predecessor. While we will need to wait and see how the battery life – which is said to be doubled – truly stacks up day-to-day, that positive upgrade alone could be enough for cautious gamers to take the plunge.

We loved our time with the original ROG Ally, calling it “… as a supplementary gaming device to most PC games, the Ally is superb. I’ve gotten to play games in new contexts previously inconceivable as recent as a few years ago. The device feels good to hold and play with, experimenting with a wide array of games in any genre. With some exceptions, it mostly holds its own in that regard and that’s something that can’t be understated or undervalued.”

The ROG Ally X is available for pre-order now on the ASUS E-shop or at JB Hi-Fi.