# I can’t believe I want to Buy an XBOX.... - XBOX ALLY X Unboxing

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cm9pDNdO2vc
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/cm9pDNdO2vc
Generated: 2025-10-15T14:32:25.346+00:00

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## Quick Overview

The ROG Ally X is a significant upgrade over the original ROG Ally, featuring a larger 80Wh battery (up from 60Wh), a faster AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor (8-core, 16-thread vs. Z2A's 4-core, 8-thread), and an RDNA 3.5 integrated GPU with 16 cores, all while maintaining the same 7" 120Hz FHD IPS display and a similar physical design, though it is slightly heavier at 719g compared to the original's 672g.

**Key Points:**
- The ROG XBOX ALLY X features an AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme processor (8-core, 16-thread) compared to the original Ally's Z2A (4-core, 8-thread).
- The Ally X upgrades the battery capacity to 80Wh, significantly larger than the original Ally's 60Wh battery.
- The Ally X integrates an RDNA 3.5 Integrated GPU with 16 cores, an improvement over the original's RDNA 2 Integrated GPU (8 cores).
- Both devices share the same 7" FHD (1080p) IPS display with 120Hz refresh rate and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
- The Ally X is slightly heavier, weighing 719g compared to the original Ally's 672g.
- The Ally X includes a dedicated Xbox button on the face buttons cluster and features improved, grippier rumble motors in the triggers and handles.
- The Ally X's IO ports include one USB4 Type-C port (Thunderbolt 4 compatible) and one USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port, an improvement over the original's two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports (one of which supported DP 2.1/PD 3.0).

![Screenshot at 0:07: The host revealing the special white box for the ROG XBOX ALLY, featuring line art of the handheld and the collaborative Xbox and ROG logos.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-00-07.png)

**Context:** This video provides an unboxing and initial comparison between the original ASUS ROG Ally handheld gaming PC and the newly announced ROG XBOX ALLY X. The host skips the full setup process for the white Ally, as he had previously reviewed it, focusing instead on the physical differences, included accessories, and the key internal specification upgrades found in the black Ally X model, particularly the processor, battery, and port configuration.

## Detailed Analysis

The video unboxes the new black ROG XBOX ALLY X and compares it directly to the original white ROG XBOX ALLY. The host notes that the Ally X packaging is similar but black, and it includes a 65W charger and a useful kickstand, which he praises as a nice inclusion that was missing from the original Ally's packaging. The host points out that the Ally X features detachable grips that are more comfortable and grippy than the original's, and the rear shell features detailed ROG branding with a textured pattern. Physically, the Ally X is slightly heavier (719g vs. 672g) but retains the same 7" 1080p 120Hz IPS display. The major internal upgrades are the CPU, which moves from the AMD Ryzen Z2A (4-core, 8-thread) in the Ally to the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (8-core, 16-thread) in the Ally X, and the GPU, which upgrades from RDNA 2 (8 cores) to RDNA 3.5 (16 cores). The battery is also significantly larger at 80Wh versus the original's 60Wh. A key IO upgrade is that one of the USB-C ports on the Ally X is now USB4 Type-C and Thunderbolt 4 compatible, while the original only had USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports. The host demonstrates that the Ally X boots directly into the Xbox app interface, bypassing the Windows desktop initially, providing a smoother user experience compared to the original. Performance testing in Skate shows the Ally X running much smoother, achieving around 80-90 FPS at 720p low settings, compared to the original's 60-75 FPS at the same settings, demonstrating the significant power increase from the new chip.

### Unboxing & Design

- Ally X comes in a black box with a 65W charger and a kickstand; the device features a textured black back with engraved ROG logos and more substantial, grippier handles compared to the white Ally; the back also features a hidden microSD card holder.

### Display Comparison

- Both the ROG XBOX ALLY and ALLY X share the same 7" FHD (1080p) IPS display with 120Hz Refresh Rate, AMD FreeSync Premium, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

### Port Differences

- Ally X features 1x USB4 Type-C (Thunderbolt 4 compatible) and 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C; the original Ally has 2x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, with the DP 2.1 support only on one port.

### Processor & GPU Upgrade

- Ally X uses the AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme (8-core, 16-thread, RDNA 3.5 16-core GPU) while the original Ally uses the AMD Ryzen Z2 A (4-core, 8-thread, RDNA 2 8-core GPU).

### Battery & Weight

- Ally X features an 80Wh battery (up from 60Wh in the Ally) and weighs 719g (Ally was 672g).

### User Experience

- Ally X boots directly into the Xbox interface, avoiding the Windows desktop initially, offering a more seamless handheld experience than the original Ally.

### Performance Testing

- In Skate (720p Low settings), the Ally X maintains around 80-90 FPS, significantly outperforming the original Ally's 60-75 FPS.

![Screenshot at 0:02: The host introducing the white ROG XBOX ALLY, noting he skipped the original X model review.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-00-02.png)
![Screenshot at 0:08: The host holding up the white ROG XBOX ALLY box, featuring the Xbox and ROG collaboration logos.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-00-08.png)
![Screenshot at 0:36: The host inspecting the quick-start guide insert from the top layer of the white Ally's packaging.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-00-36.png)
![Screenshot at 1:11: Close-up on the 65W power adapter included with the Ally X, noting the prongs are not retractable.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-01-11.png)
![Screenshot at 1:39: The white Ally being placed on its included kickstand, which the host highlights as a positive inclusion.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-01-39.png)
![Screenshot at 2:28: Side-by-side comparison of the white ROG XBOX ALLY \(left\) and the black ROG XBOX ALLY X \(right\), showing the difference in color.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-02-28.png)
![Screenshot at 2:51: Overlay graphic comparing the battery capacity: 60Wh for the original Ally vs. 80Wh for the Ally X.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-02-51.png)
![Screenshot at 3:45: Close-up comparison of the face buttons on the black Ally X, noting they are larger and chunkier than the original Ally's.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-03-45.png)
![Screenshot at 4:24: Close-up on the top IO ports of the black Ally X, highlighting the USB4 Type-C port \(Thunderbolt 4 compatible\) and the USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-04-24.png)
![Screenshot at 6:33: A finger pointing to the custom ROG logo etched onto the back panel of the black Ally X, which is absent on the white original.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/cm9pDNdO2vc/00-06-33.png)