Following news that a new ROG Ally is on the way, we’ve gathered everything we know about the device to bring you the very latest ASUS ROG Ally X release date, specs, and price news. Yes, it has been confirmed to be called the ROG Ally X and will be a refreshed version of the 2023 model. ASUS has been careful not to refer to it as the ‘Ally 2’, instead placing it somewhere between a sequel and a minor upgrade.
ASUS previously teased what’s to come and further details quickly became apparent from outside sources, plus what ASUS has officially announced now the reveal has taken place. The Ally X looks to make amends to some of the original’s downfalls which are apparent when pitting it against the likes of the popular Steam Deck.
ASUS ROG Ally X release date
The key date we were looking forward to for the new and improved ROG Ally was June 2nd, as this is when ASUS ran a live stream on YouTube and Twitch with a ‘special announcement’ – as revealed in this official post on X. Not too many people were impressed with what is essentially an announcement of an announcement considering that they first teased it in this YouTube video, which was expected to be the big reveal itself.
As for when the device itself will be released, we now know that it will be available starting July 22nd, 2024. The original device launched worldwide on June 13th, 2023 – and with ASUS being very vocal about celebrating its birthday on social media, we thought this was a date they’d again target, but it turns out that may have been a little ambitious.
ASUS ROG Ally X specs
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme |
| GPU | AMD iGPU 12CU @ 2.7 GHz |
| Architecture | AMD Zen 4 & RDNA 3 |
| Display | 1920 x 1080, 7″ screen, LCD, 48Hz – 120Hz variable refresh rate |
| Storage | 1TB M.2 2280 SSD |
| RAM | 24GB LPDDR5X |
| Battery life | Up to 8 hours, 80Wh capacity |
Many specifications are staying the same as the original. You should be careful not to call this new device a sequel – it’s more of a refresh with some improvements. ASUS notes that the Ally X is designed for enthusiasts that want a little bit extra from their gaming PC handheld. It features the same Ryzen APU and very same 7-inch screen, though RAM will be increased beyond 16GB – 24GB LPDDR5X is expected according to this leak. Following these leaks though, we got what looks like all but official confirmation of the specs, thanks to an exclusive report.
Some of the most notable changes are to the battery, which will be larger than before. According to The Verge, ASUS representative Shawn Yen revealed to them that the ‘substantially larger battery pack’ will offer more than 40% higher capacity, though benchmarks on battery life are yet to be seen. Videocardz noted that a 80Wh battery will actually double the capacity. Even still, a rumor from MysteryLupin suggests up to 8 hours of use. It will also be coming in a new black shell as spotted in this post from ASUS which fuelled rumors.
The specs improvements will also reportedly result in a heavier device, though we’re not sure of how much by. An important and much-requested change is that the SD card slot will be changing location, moving it away from the heatsink amid reports that many SD cards are overheating and potentially causing damage.
What will the ASUS ROG Ally X price be?
At first, all we knew is that the MSRP will be ‘higher than $699’ according to VideoCardz. To add onto that, a recent Ally X price leak suggests that it will be launching at $799. This second leak turned out to be the case, as ASUS revealed that it will officially cost $799.99 So, it’s more expensive than what the original Z1 Extreme model launched at ($699). This makes sense given the improvements that target the more enthusiast niche.
Given that we’ve seen some incredible price drops as of late for the 2023 models, (Z1 Extreme and Z1), there is going to be a sizeable gap between the original and the refresh. This does leave us questioning the higher cost, especially as we aren’t looking at a sequel-worthy overhaul with an OLED screen, for example.
Can I customize the ROG Ally X?
According to The Verge, this new model should be more repairable. That means a redesign to the joystick modules that will be easier to interchange and upgrade. ASUS has already said that the revision addresses details such as the grips, D-Pad, joysticks, and triggers. And with easier parts swapping expected, this opens up the world of customization which would make a lot of sense for handheld enthusiasts.
When will ASUS announce the new ROG Ally?
We already know that ASUS is announcing the new ROG Ally X on June 2nd, 2024. This comes just ahead of Computex this year and may even act as the launch for the device, as Business Standard speculate. We’re not confident enough to say that it will be released there and then, but it is the earliest you can expect it to come out.
