Amazon France Delivers ROG Xbox Ally Two Weeks Early
In a surprising turn of events, a user known as Technical_Fun77 received the much-anticipated ROG Xbox Ally X from Amazon France a full two weeks before its official launch date. Set to be officially released on October 16, this console, developed by ASUS in collaboration with Xbox, has created quite a buzz due to its early arrival. This user took to Reddit to share valuable insights and experiences with the device, making waves in the gaming community.
However, the excitement was short-lived as ASUS ROG's moderation team swiftly removed the user's post along with all associated pictures, which were intended to substantiate their claims. Despite this, the internet has a long memory, and much of this information was captured before it was deleted, allowing enthusiasts to gather information about the console's performance and battery life.
Performance Insights: ROG Xbox Ally X vs. ROG Ally
Thanks to the early shipment from Amazon, it has been confirmed that the ROG Xbox Ally X does not significantly outperform its predecessor, the ROG Ally. The core of this console is powered by the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme, which, according to many analysts and tech enthusiasts, offers only a marginal improvement over the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme. This results in a scenario where the new console represents an incremental upgrade rather than a revolutionary leap.
In practical terms, users can expect a performance boost of merely 5 to 10 FPS when compared to the original model. This is particularly concerning given that the ROG Xbox Ally X will retail for approximately double the price of the original ROG Ally. For many users, such a slight enhancement does not justify the increased cost, raising questions about the value proposition of the new model.
For Technical_Fun77, the decision to purchase the ROG Xbox Ally X stemmed from a desire to replace their aging Steam Deck, which has struggled with modern game titles. The user reported impressive results when running demanding games, notably Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, built on Unreal Engine 5. The game maintained a frame rate of around 47 FPS at 1080p with high graphical settings and Intel XeSS scaling enabled.
Interestingly, when the resolution was decreased to 900p, the frame rate increased to 56 FPS, and enabling frame generation pushed it up to a remarkable 86 FPS. These figures contrast sharply with initial reports suggesting that the console could not achieve 30 FPS at 1080p resolution, highlighting the importance of resolution scaling and frame generation features in the gaming experience.
Battery life remains a crucial aspect of handheld gaming devices. Users can expect that demanding games will deplete the battery within 2 to 3 hours of heavy use, influenced by factors such as graphical settings and the console's power mode. This limited battery life could be a concern for players who engage in lengthy gaming sessions.
Key Specifications and Pricing Overview
The ROG Xbox Ally X is powered by the cutting-edge AMD Ryzen AI Z2 Extreme, featuring a CPU with 8 cores and 16 threads based on the AMD Zen 5 architecture. On the graphics front, it boasts an AMD Radeon 890M, comparable to a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 Laptop. This powerful APU is paired with 24 GB of LPDDR5X RAM operating at 8,533 MT/s and a 1 TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD for high-speed storage.
Additional connectivity options include:
- 1 x USB 4.0 / Thunderbolt 4
- 1 x USB 3.2
- Headphone jack
The device is powered by an 80 Wh battery, the same capacity utilized in the ASUS ROG Ally X model. Furthermore, the console features a 7-inch IPS display with a Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels at 120 Hz, protected by Gorilla Glass Victus for enhanced durability.
For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, ASUS will also release a standard version, the ROG Xbox Ally, which will come with the AMD Ryzen Z2 A, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, comparable in performance to the Steam Deck. This could attract users who are not necessarily looking for the top-tier specifications but still desire a capable handheld gaming experience.
In summary, while the ROG Xbox Ally X has generated significant excitement, its performance enhancements over the original ROG Ally appear to be modest at best. As consumers weigh the benefits against the price, it remains to be seen how well this new console will be received in the competitive handheld gaming market.
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