ASUS ROG Partner

After the Computex 2024 announcement, the new ASUS ROG Ally
This new model looks like a mid-generation update compared to the original model and brings some improvements in the hardware department and several minor innovations on the design front. Same performance and improved ergonomics.
Has ASUS ROG succeeded in its mission? While waiting for the review, let's try to find them together Five key innovations of ROG Ally And the differences are immediately eye-catching compared to the parent ROG Ally.

Small hardware improvements that can make a difference

As we mentioned at the beginning, ROG Ally of life” and the real performance of the machine (with some minor differences, we will see in more detail in the review).

The same SoC available for the Ally X remains the same AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme We learned about the high-end variant of Alli, although supported by a completely revised memory box: the new device is actually equipped 24 GB LPDDR5X RAM at 7,500 MHz, a nice improvement compared to the 16 GB LPDDR5 of its “sister” sister at 6,400 MHz. There are also news about the storage it offers 1TB PCIe 4 SSDThanks to the update of the standard going from 2230 to 2280 doubles the amount of available space and the possibility to upgrade the components with different choices.
To avoid this, ROG improves the availability of connections with Ally X Additional USB-C 4.0 port Ally's USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 connects with Thunderbolt 4 and DP 1.4 support.
The display is also unchanged, it's the same 7 inches with Full HD resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness.

Double battery

The main change given the mobile nature of the ROG Ally is that this new version comes with an 80 Wh battery, a significant improvement compared to the original model's 40 Wh.

Beyond the real increase in autonomy, which we will not fail to analyze in detail, the new battery improves from the point of view of fast charging: Ally W. However, it should be underlined that the 65 W power supply is included. package, so it won't let you use this new feature.

Almost the same dimensions, but the weight increases

The larger battery led to changes in terms of dimensions and above all the weight of the ROG Ally Dimensions are 280.2 x 114 x 36.9 mm, compared to the Alli's 280.25 x 116.5 x 32.4 mm. In essence, the new handset will be slightly thicker without distorting the device's lines.

Compared to the 608 of the first model, the weight has certainly changed, now reaching around 678 grams: 70 grams of waste is visible from the first use, but ironically the improvements made on the ergonomics front result in a more balanced device, sometimes even more comfortable than the original. All this thanks to a lighter chassis weighing just 134 grams and a general reduction in the total weight of the components: this time the new dispersion system should be mentioned, characterized by small but very efficient fans. 77 blades (compared to 47 on Alli) should guarantee more air flow.

Lots of small ergonomic improvements

For the development of the ROG Ally X, ASUS claims to have listened to user feedback. This process has resulted in a series of changes that will affect the versatility of the device in a more or less significant way and will be felt as soon as you hold the device in your hand.

Joysticks have been modified And now perfectly aligned to the position of the fingers, and thanks to the revision of the handlebars, it allows the handheld to be held firmly in the hand. The updated construction of the sticks based on ALPS potentiometers now promises up to 5 million cycles, a significant improvement compared to the original model's 2 million, with a grip that approaches the best console controllers. The modular nature of the sticks also allows for upgrades to customized models like the popular Kulikit.
Good news too D-pad now becomes 8-way, a wider design, a texture for D-pad grip and a more pleasant feel. The front buttons are more pronounced and provide a more current “click”, while the bumpers and triggers have been relocated to improve comfort: especially the latter is made of semi-transparent plastic, which gives a significant visual effect.

As we have already said, the balance of the device has been improved so that excess weight is not a problem: the haptic motors have been moved to the edges of the chassis, thus adapting to the position. of hands. This solution allowed the weight to be optimally distributed and at the same time allow the perception of more pronounced haptic feedback.
Finally, it's basic Updating the shoulder buttons: Associate
Noteworthy details include the frame around the power button and the touch sensor that lets you instantly detect its position.

Software and new energy management

Something new comes with the ROG Ally X Update for Armory Crate SE: ASUS' dedicated management software aims to become the main interface of the device, reducing the need for access to the operating system: the library is actually improved, as are the side control panels. Also fundamental is the ability to automatically sync profiles across multiple devices thanks to the cloud.

However, in this case, owners of the first ROG companion need not worry: software updates will also arrive on the original handheld. In addition to software, ROG Ally Slightly different power management: The Turbo profile remains at 25W (30W in wired mode), but the Performance profile goes from 15W to 17W and the Silent profile from 10W to 13W.

In short, after a few hours of use the new ROG Ally X seems to have improved the overall build of the machine thanks to small but substantial changes. How much the new hardware will affect performance remains to be seen. However, we look to you for this Review next July 22.