ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X vs. ROG Ally X: Full Performance and Battery Life Comparison

ROG Xbox Ally X’s Zen 5 architecture introduces superior multi-core handling and optimized GPU integration.

Hardware by Nakiro on Oct 23, 2025

The market for gaming handhelds is always changing, and the debut of the brand-new ROG Xbox Ally X makes it impossible not to compare it to the last model. Both devices have great specs and design choices, but small, important distinctions can help you decide if an upgrade is worth it.

Each area, from ergonomics to performance, battery life, and thermal efficiency, has a big impact on the whole experience.

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Ergonomics and Design

The ROG Xbox Ally X is certainly better when it comes to ergonomics when you look at both devices side by side. Adding extra handles makes it feel more like a controller, which makes it easier to hold and more comfortable to use for long periods of time. It feels natural in the hands and allows for long gaming hours without fatigue.

While the original Ally X was already quite comfortable and offered easy button reach, the new model improves on this with a design that fits more securely in the palms. However, comfort aside, if performance is the deciding factor, some might still choose function over feel.

Both devices have the same 7-inch 1080p IPS screen with a 120Hz VRR refresh rate. The overall look is still the same, save for the new grip and small changes to the body. Both have an 80Wh battery, so their battery life is the same.

Internal Specifications

Internally, the two devices diverge significantly. The original ROG Ally X is powered by the Ryzen Z1 Extreme, based on the Zen 4 architecture, featuring 8 cores and 16 threads with a 3.3GHz base clock and up to 5.1GHz boost. It carries a 12-core RDNA3 iGPU running at 2900MHz and 24GB of RAM at 7500MT/s.

On the other hand, the new ROG Xbox Ally X houses the AMD Ryzen Z2 AI Extreme, built on the Zen 5 architecture with 8 cores and 16 threads divided into 3 Zen 5 cores and 5 Zen 5C cores. The base clock runs at 2GHz, while the Zen 5 cores can boost up to 5GHz and the Zen 5C up to 3.3GHz.

It's a 16-compute-unit RDNA 3.5 iGPU that also runs at 2900MHz. Memory speed is bumped to 8000 MT/s, while maintaining the same 24GB capacity. Additionally, the Z2 AI chip integrates an NPU for AI-driven optimizations.

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CPU Performance

In performance mode at 17W and turbo at 25W, the Z2 AI Extreme consistently outperforms the Z1 Extreme. In Geekbench 6 tests, the Z1 Extreme scored 1795 in single-core and 8370 in multi-core at 17W, while the Z2 AI Extreme reached 2657 and 9384, respectively.

Even at 25W, the Z2 maintains a clear advantage with a single-core score of 2784 versus 2379 on the Z1 Extreme.

The primary point is clear: the Z2 AI Extreme works better at lower wattages and gets better scores all around, which shows how its architecture has improved and how well it manages power.

GPU Benchmarks

For GPU performance, OpenCL tests in Geekbench 6 at 25W show a notable jump. The Z1 Extreme's 12CU RDNA3 GPU achieved 27,887, while the Z2 AI Extreme's 16CU RDNA3.5 GPU reached 36,924. This is a considerable leap that shows real-world improvements in graphical throughput.

In 3DMark Steel Nomad, the Z1 Extreme managed a score of 485 with 4.86FPS, while the Z2 AI Extreme improved slightly to 568 with 5.69FPS. Meanwhile, 3DMark Time Spy results were more impressive: the Z1 Extreme scored 2539 (graphics 2292) at 17W, while the Z2 AI Extreme achieved 3298. At 25W, the Z2 hit 3664, and pushing up to 35W can surpass 4000, showing the potential for higher-end gaming experiences.

In-Game Benchmarks

Testing real-world games provided clearer insight into practical performance.

Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p Steam Deck preset):

At 25W, the Z1 Extreme averaged 42.66FPS, while the Z2 AI Extreme hit 46.73FPS. Dropping to 17W, the Z1 averaged 32FPS and the Z2 reached 39FPS—showing more benefit at lower wattages.

Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p Low):

At 25W, the Z1 Extreme scored 59FPS versus 62FPS on the Z2 AI Extreme. When lowered to 17W, the gap widened—44FPS on Z1 and 57FPS on Z2, revealing Z2's superior low-power efficiency.

ASUS, ROG Xbox, Ally X, ROG Ally X, Full Performance, Battery Life Comparison, NoobFeed

Forza Horizon 5 (1080p Medium):

At 25W, the Z1 Extreme averaged 76FPS while the Z2 reached 84FPS. At 17W, the Z1 dropped to 62FPS and the Z2 maintained 78FPS, again demonstrating better scaling.

Black Myth: Wukong (1080p 60% FSR, 25W):

The Z1 Extreme achieved 44 FPS, while the Z2 Extreme climbed to 53 FPS. At 17W, scores were 33FPS and 42FPS, respectively.

Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered (1080p Low, FSR Balanced, 25W):

This game proved too heavy for both chips—Z1 at 30FPS and Z2 at 31FPS, making neither setup ideal for this title at native 1080p.

Battery Life and Efficiency

When the settings are the same, battery tests demonstrate that the two devices don't work much differently. Both used about 6W total when they were in quiet mode and playing light games. Both systems used about 26W overall and lasted about 3 hours when under AAA loads at 17W TDP. At 25W TDP, the total draw went up to roughly 32W, which gave the battery about 2 hours and 30 minutes of life.

However, since the Z2 AI Extreme can match the Z1 Extreme's performance at a lower 15W TDP, users can extend battery life by optimizing power profiles without sacrificing much performance.

ASUS, ROG Xbox, Ally X, ROG Ally X, Full Performance, Battery Life Comparison, NoobFeed

Final Thoughts

Across testing, the Z2 AI Extreme provided around 10–20% better gaming performance at 25W and 19–30% gains at 17W. These improvements are more pronounced at lower wattages, where efficiency matters most for handheld gaming.

That said, the generational jump isn't revolutionary. For those already owning the ROG Ally X, upgrading to the ROG Xbox Ally X may not be worth it solely for performance gains. But if comfort, design upgrades, or AI integration are more important to you, the new model becomes a better pick.

Updates for the Z2 AI Extreme's drivers in the future may make it even better, maybe unlocking even bigger benefits. For now, the ROG Xbox Ally X is a small improvement that makes things more comfortable and efficient instead of giving you a huge boost in raw power.

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